Signification
The process of acquiring linguistic skills.
Contexte culturel
The Dutch are very proud of their language but will often switch to English if they see you struggling. To truly 'een taal leren', you must insist on speaking Dutch by saying 'Kunnen we in het Nederlands praten? Ik wil het leren.' In Flanders, learning the language is often tied to regional identity. While they speak Dutch, they might refer to it as 'Vlaams leren'. There is a strong emphasis on 'Schoon Vlaams' (beautiful Flemish). In Suriname, Dutch is the official language, but many people also speak Sranan Tongo. 'Een taal leren' there often involves navigating the code-switching between formal Dutch and local creole. There is a subculture of 'eternal A1' learners who have been 'learning the language' for years but never progress. Using the phrase 'Ik ben de taal aan het leren' is a common social shield.
The 'Aan het' Trick
If you want to say you are *currently* learning, use 'Ik ben een taal aan het leren'. It sounds much more natural than just 'Ik leer'.
Don't say 'te'
Remember: 'Ik leer Nederlands spreken', NOT 'Ik leer Nederlands te spreken'.
Signification
The process of acquiring linguistic skills.
The 'Aan het' Trick
If you want to say you are *currently* learning, use 'Ik ben een taal aan het leren'. It sounds much more natural than just 'Ik leer'.
Don't say 'te'
Remember: 'Ik leer Nederlands spreken', NOT 'Ik leer Nederlands te spreken'.
Insist on Dutch
If people switch to English, just keep responding in Dutch. They will eventually realize you are serious about 'de taal leren'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'leren'.
Ik ___ (present tense) elke dag Nederlands.
The first person singular present tense of 'leren' is 'leer'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A: Ik leer te spreken Nederlands. B: Ik leer Nederlands spreken.
In Dutch, 'leren' is not followed by 'te' when combined with another infinitive.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Waarom heb je dat boek gekocht? B: Omdat ik een nieuwe ___ ___ ___.
In a subordinate clause or after a modal verb, the verbs go to the end.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a university and studying the science of languages.
For academic subjects at a university, 'studeren' is the correct verb.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIk ___ (present tense) elke dag Nederlands.
The first person singular present tense of 'leren' is 'leer'.
A: Ik leer te spreken Nederlands. B: Ik leer Nederlands spreken.
In Dutch, 'leren' is not followed by 'te' when combined with another infinitive.
A: Waarom heb je dat boek gekocht? B: Omdat ik een nieuwe ___ ___ ___.
In a subordinate clause or after a modal verb, the verbs go to the end.
You are at a university and studying the science of languages.
For academic subjects at a university, 'studeren' is the correct verb.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsFor English and German speakers, it's relatively easy! The grammar is a middle ground between the two.
In informal speech, yes, but it's better to use 'lesgeven' to avoid confusion.
To reach B1 level, it usually takes about 300-400 hours of study.
'Taaltje' is the diminutive and is used affectionately or to describe a minor language/dialect.
Expressions liées
onder de knie krijgen
similarTo master something / get the hang of it.
een taal machtig worden
specialized formTo become proficient in a language.
zich verstaanbaar maken
builds onTo make oneself understood.
taalverwerving
synonymLanguage acquisition.
