The Power of Writing: How Keeping a Journal In Dutch Accelerates Your Learning
One of the most effective ways to improve your Dutch is by writing regularly. In each of your Dutch lessons you will learn new words and by journaling you can put those words directly to use. As you record your thoughts, your ideas and the events of your life you will also be learning to think in Dutch— another crucial step to fluency!
Here’s how to get started:
Why Keep a Dutch Journal?
Builds Confidence: Writing lets you experiment with new vocabulary and grammar without pressure. It’s a safe space to make mistakes and learn.
Reinforces Learning: When you write about what you’ve learned in your Dutch lessons or daily experiences, it helps solidify the knowledge.
Tracks Progress: Looking back at earlier entries shows how far you’ve come, which is incredibly motivating.
How to Start Your Journal
Set Small Goals
Start with a sentence or two a day. For example:Vandaag was gezellig. Ik heb een lekkere koffie in Amsterdam gedronken.
(Today was cozy. I had a delicious coffee in Amsterdam.)
Write About What You Know
Use the vocabulary and phrases you’ve learned in your Dutch courses. Focus on simple sentences like what you did, where you went, or how you felt. If you haven’t learned the past tense yet, don’t worry— Writing in the present tense is also good practice!Keep a dictionary handy
Want to use a word you don’t know yet? I recommend using the Van Dale online dictionary. Select the English to Dutch option to find the words you need. You can also install the Van Dale app and register for an NT2 Pocket dictionary subscription. NT2 is designed for people for whom Dutch is a 2nd language.
Expand Gradually
As you grow more confident, you can challenge yourself by including new words, trying different tenses, or writing longer paragraphs.
Tips for Making It a Habit
Use Prompts: If you’re unsure what to write about, try prompts like:
“What’s my favorite place in Amsterdam, and why?”
“Describe my morning routine.”
“What new word did I learn today?”
(TIP: If you have writer’s block, use ChatGPT to generate a list of prompts for you)
Incorporate Feedback: Share your entries with your Dutch teacher or friend from your Dutch course for constructive feedback.
Mix It Up: Write lists, stories, or even imaginary conversations to keep it fresh.
What Tools Can Help?
Verbix is a great way to find conjugations of any verb you may need
Vertalen.nu, Van Dale, and Interglot are all great resources for quick word translations
Apps like Grammarly (for Dutch) can assist with spelling and basic grammar.
Digital options: Whether you prefer pen and paper or an app like Evernote, find what works best for you.
Journaling in Dutch is a fantastic way to improve writing skills, grow your vocabulary, and develop confidence in expressing yourself. It’s a small daily practice that pays big dividends in your language journey. Give it a try and see how it transforms your Dutch course into a more immersive experience!