You studied. You understood. You passed tests and followed lessons. Yet when a moment arrives at the bakery, the school gate, or in a casual chat with a neighbour,... You listen and nod. You understand what’s being said. But the moment you have to reply, something freezes. Your Dutch disappears, even though you know it.

If that sounds familiar, just know that you are not the only one this happens to.
But the good news is, it doesn’t have to stay like this. You’re in a place where change becomes possible.

This post is for internationals who have reached A2 and B1 levels in their courses and who now want one thing above all: to use Dutch in daily life.
I explain why knowledge alone does not create spoken confidence, what to practice first, and how a short, focused training can turn those small moments into lasting habits.

Why speaking feels harder than understanding

Understanding a language is mainly an intake activity. Speaking is an output activity, and you don’t know what’s going to happen.
In a conversation you can be interrupted, you can hesitate, you can make mistakes, you might not be understood, and you cannot rewrite every sentence.

That creates pressure, and the brain protects you by retreating into safety. The result is familiar: you stay in English or you wait for the perfect Dutch words, which will maybe never arrive.

The good news is that you don’t have to stay in this loop.
With small, repeatable practices and supportive feedback, the pressure drops and the habit of speaking emerges. The trick is to start with small victories and get out of your comfort zone step by step.

What to practise first

Begin where the pressure is lowest and the payoff is highest.
Where do you feel safe enough to take the step to speak Dutch out of your comfort zone?

1. Prepare one-liners for moments that matter. Think greetings, small talk about the weather, or a quick compliment at the supermarket. These are tiny statements, but they open space for more Dutch.
2. Learn phrases that let you buy time. Like a memorized phrase that tells them you’d like to continue in Dutch. This will reduce the urge to switch to English.
3. Do short speaking actions per week that feel doable. That could be one sentence to your neighbour, one question to a barista, and one short update with a colleague. Small does not mean unimportant. Small builds momentum.
4. Reflect on what worked. The insight you extract after speaking is where real growth lives.

How mindset changes everything

Confidence in speaking is not about being perfect. It is about doing and standing up for yourself. Transform your mindset from not speaking Dutch to accepting that you will speak Dutch with mistakes.
Try this framing: every time you speak Dutch, deliver new information about Dutch. That is how language grows.

How focused coaching accelerates progress

If you want structure and personalised feedback, a short coaching program that combines mindset work, conversation techniques, and reflection can be exactly what you need to take the next step in your Dutch-speaking progress.

The Speak Dutch with Confidence program offers a private online course with practical exercises, a fillable workbook, and three personal sessions fully in Dutch. This combination means you will not practise alone and you will get guidance tailored to your personal situation (and your agenda!). 
Ready to take that next step? Discover the program here

The program is compact and action-oriented. It helps you prepare for real-life conversations, practise in a safe environment, and reflect on your results so you keep progressing. The investment and format are clear, which makes it easier to commit and see results. 

Who benefits most

This approach suits you if you already have a foundation in Dutch from courses and now want to actually use it. It suits people who prefer personalised attention rather than large group classrooms. If you want fast, practical wins and three moments of focused coaching to unlock real-life use, this training is built for that. 
Ready to take that next step? Discover the program here

A simple plan you can start today

If you want a quick start, try these three steps:

1. Choose one social situation this week where you will speak one word/sentence/chat in Dutch. Decide the sentence(s) in advance.
2. Prepare the vocabulary you might need (max 10 new words) and one fallback phrase in case you need more time.
3. After the interaction, spend five minutes noting what went well and what you will repeat next time.

It works best if you repeat this the following week and reflect on it again. This is how you can see your wins.  
A win is personal; it could be something as simple as showing up and starting, remembering new words, or using a memorized phrase to give yourself time to think.

My invitation to you

If you are ready to move from understanding to speaking and you want a guided route to make it happen, explore the Speak Dutch with Confidence training. It includes exercises that will work for you and three one-to-one sessions so your practice is personalised and your progress is visible.
The program details and how to join are available on the program page.

You don’t need to speak perfectly. You just need to begin.
And each time you do, your confidence grows.

If you’re ready to make that shift, discover the Speak Dutch with Confidence program.