The Dutchest Thing is a language learning platform for non-Dutch and Dutch people who want to learn the language (better). Enjoy the free lessons with practice materials, and feel free to inquire about one-on-one Dutch lessons and language support. Learning Dutch has not yet been so interesting, hands-on, and fun.
Why?
I started The Dutchest Thing in 2017 because I wanted to share a very interesting aspect of my language and culture with my English-speaking friends: the proverbs, expressions, and sayings of the Dutch language. After a couple of YouTube episodes, I quit making videos because I needed to graduate which takes up a lot of time as most of you know.
In 2021, I helped multiple expats in the Netherlands with the Dutch language. I offered one-on-one sessions to help them prepare for the language exams and gain more confidence to use the language in their daily activities. Whilst doing so, I created many presentations, worksheets, and background information that I wish to share with you.
What?
This is what I am doing now, and plan on doing in the near future for The Dutchest Thing:
- Develop instructional videos about various aspects of the Dutch language on YouTube;
- Create worksheets accompanying the videos to practice their contents on this website;
- Share linguistic jokes and typically Dutch things on Instagram;
Later, I hope to start a podcast in which I interview expats and ask them about their experiences living in the Netherlands. What do you think about the title “Destination the Netherlands”?
I hope this will be a wonderful and enjoyable journey for you, as well as for me. I am looking forward to seeing, reading, and hearing about your work and progress in learning the language. Have fun!
How?
As a language learner myself, I want my learning experience to be motivating and fun. Learning a language can be incredibly difficult and challenging at times, and it helps when the material gives me energy. I have found opportunities to use my school approach in my work for The Dutchest Thing. Read more about my key elements to teaching on the “My Approach”-page.
Who?
The Dutchest Thing is founded by me, Bryan Robert Kraan. I am an elementary school teacher from the Netherlands, and a language enthusiast. I have had the opportunity to live, study, and work in multiple countries and regions in the world. These experiences taught me the importance of languages, which I why I learned to understand more than my native Dutch. However, it also made me appreciate and understand my own language better. You can read more about me, my experiences, and my credentials on my own “About Me“-page.
How much?
In general, most of the materials on this website are available for free, and the one-on-one instructions are available for a fee. You will find more information on that on the pricing page.
Hopefully, I will need a plan to monetize the majority of my work for The Dutchest Thing at a certain point. This may include more and more one-on-one lessons, application assistance for job hunters, a merchandise webstore, ad revenue, and support from patrons and endorsers. And, let’s be fair, donations are always welcome. Just send me a message if you want to donate.
Disclaimer:
With The Dutchest Thing, I, Bryan Robert, will provide the best possible program I can develop for people who would like to learn Dutch. I strive to meet my students’ educational goals successfully; however, I cannot guarantee that the students will successfully pass any (official) tests, interviews, conversations, or anything other. Nonetheless, I will do everything in my power to meet their goals and prepare students for success using the Dutch language.
I am a certified teacher with both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in education. However, I am not an instructor certified by the Dutch government for the official NT2-programs or exams. Nonetheless, I have prepared multiple people for their language exams and still have a 100% success rate at this point (last update: 08 December 2021).