Best study books to learn Dutch / Flemish! (review)

In this video, I'll be reviewing some Dutch study books for beginners. This is a very biased and highly selective review featuring books that I've worked a lot with over the years. Some of them are more recommended for self-study, others would probably work best in a class context. Succes!
Are you a beginner? Then watch this video afterwards: • DUTCH vs. FLEMISH: Doe...
===
Did this video help you? Then chip in to support my coffee addiction! www.buymeacoffee.com/Ws2tfIPKp
Get a free class on italki: www.italki.com/i/BDe6ca?hl=en-us
& book a class with me: www.italki.com/teacher/2418378/
For more interesting articles about Dutch grammar, vocabulary and study tips go to my blog: dutch-and-go.com/
Facebook: / dutchengo
Check out my other channel "Het Vlaamse Woord Van De Week" to learn words commonly used in Belgium: / @hetvlaamsewoordvandew...

[@justarandomgirllol7428]

SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO // 1:44 _Taal Vitaal_ // Good for pronunciation (good audio material). Colorful, very structured. A lot of good vocabulary in exercises. A good option for self-study at home with solid bases. 😕 *Downside* : the book is a little too serious. It is also difficult 4:36 _Nederlands in gang_ // Dialogues. Not really recommended for self-study. 😕 *Downside* : dialogues feel limited, not really natural. Grammar is well-explain but a lot of it is intuitive (you have to figure a lot of things by yourself so it would be recommended to use it as well as using other resources). 7:20 _Vanzelf spreken_ // Grammar is well explained (super clear). Flemish dutch 🇧🇪 . Audio and video included (a lot of material). Textbook and workbook. Great if you want to use it at home. Dialogues are quite playful and funny. Good speaking exercises. 😕 *Downside* : Missing current references (like technology). The verb list at the end could be organized better.

[@melissalind8220]

Thank you! I'm working on learning Dutch using Fluent Forever methods, but my friends are Flemish, so I'm incredibly thankful for your videos! I have a long way to go, but this gives me confidence! I can't wait to dig deeper into your videos.

[@andresm2426]

Thank you for the review, it would be very cool if you recommend other books from upper levels as well.

[@nohahelmi6316]

Thank you! That was helpful

[@valentinabs9442]

Thank you for the options for self-study!

[@shepherd1938]

Hi Nout! Fist of all, thank you for all the useful content. I hope you'll continue your channel for a long time. I wanted to ask you a question, if by any chance you have an opinion on the subject. As I have the Vanzelfsprekend published in 2003, I was wondering if you would (if you were me) buy the next edition or if you consider the 2003 edition sufficient for a good introduction. I don't feel it's too much outdated, but who knows what you would think. Thanks!

[@Jackens]

It’s VERY useful, please keep them coming! :) Personally I’d love to hear your recommendations for beginner books for self study, paradoxically because there are so many different options available, it’s very difficult to make an informed choice...

[@DutchGo]

Will do!

[@mariaelenazambrano-veestra722]

Thank you for this tips, I just found your videos and loved them so much. I just moved to Belgium and feel a little frustrated learning the language. Are you still making these kind of videos?

[@silviacp6866]

Your vídeos are very useful! I just discovered them. Do you recommend any vocabulary book ?

[@alexandrayorke7590]

Really good timing! Yesterday, I wanted to buy a Dutch study book, but I could not make up my mind because there were so many options available and I was slightly confused and was not sure what to choose. Buuuut, I have just ordered "Vanzelfsprekend" and I will have it on Monday, so I am super excited. :D Thank you very much for the video!

[@DutchGo]

How are you liking it?

[@fonsedyr]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@liviu388]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@jefferygriffith]

Thanks for the great video ! Is there a big downside to learning Flemish vs NL Dutch ? I have only visited Flanders but would also like to visit Netherlands as well. You made the last book on Flemish sound so appealing that now I’m torn :-)

[@ai-shan4851]

Yes, please make some more review videos! By the way, maybe you could make more videos about flemish dutch?

[@DutchGo]

I might yes! There's also a very, very good book out there called "Wa zegt ge?" which goes quite deep into Flemish spoken Dutch for foreigners!

[@ninicoco203]

Thank you, Nout! Great video! I am trying to learn Flemish specifically to speak with my family when visiting Antwerp, so I would prefer a Flemish study vs Dutch. I understand some spoken Flemish, but cannot relate it to the written word and do not speak it at all. Sounds like the Vanzelf Sprekend book will be helpful. Did I hear you say that particular book has some audio included?

[@DutchGo]

Yes it does, and lots of it too! I think you'll love it!

[@tsanganlee4689]

Hello, thank you a lot for making this useful video!! As many of my friends recommend me the book called "Nederlands voor buitenlanders" , I heard that it is very helpful if you familiar with german. However, is it still a good textbook for people without any german basis? Thank you

[@irmaocarmo8296]

Thanks for the video. Is the Vanzelfsprekend for beginners? What do you think about "Assimil - Taalcursussen & Leerboeken Learn Dutch with Ease - Nederlands leren Boek + Audio CD's" produit ?

[@A_Dem_On]

Do you have any experience with the book Routledge Intensive Dutch Course? Started with Duolingo about two months ago and moving to the NL in two weeks and wanted something a bit more structured than the app. (Will use in parallel with Duolingo and another Vocabulary app, Drops)

[@sebastienlopezmassoni8107]

Hartelijk bedankt

[@helenuy1082]

Can you please make a review of the Van Dale Spreektaal Series. Would you recommend it for someone who wants to improve themed dialogues to improve vocabulary and expressing oneself who wants to communicate in Flemish.

[@bilalhassouna3624]

Hello, thank you a lot for this amazing video. I started learning dutch one month ago using Prisma book ''Nederlands voor zelfstudie'' but I did not like the book a lot. Someone told me to get the new fifth edition of NT2 boom Nederlands voor buitenlanders (5de, herziene editie) - Tekstboek + online. I am a bit lost .... Do you know this book ?

[@loc9588]

i love your channel Nout

[@antoniobarrenechea7564]

where can i obtain these books? it would really help me out

[@arielleung3917]

I'm genuinely surprised how many people are learning Dutch lol. I've been living in NL for about 1.5 years , and everybody is like you don't need to learn Dutch even grandma can speak good English that's why you choose here rather than Germany/France blablabla. Nonetheless I'm quite keen on languages. It's very interesting to see how people think through their language. Just finished my Dutch course on Duolingo. Have no problem at stores or cafe. I don't have any obsession with correct grammar. Put my faith in Dutchies capability of guessing haha. I think I'll go out there and confuse some Dutchies before I decide to learn Dutch in a more formal way. Hartelijk dank voor de handige video! Kunt u ons helpen om de volgende keer een paar slechte boeken te vermijden, alstublieft?

[@DutchGo]

That's the right attitude! En ja, zal ik proberen. :D

[@veecky_velly2804]

Good day where can I buy this books taal vitaal and Vanzelf sprekend please

[@user-bi1qi8bl9y]

Hi, thank you so much for the video! Do you know which authorized online retailer is selling vanzelfsprekend and ships internationally (such as the U.S.)? I went to the publisher's (acco) online store but it seems like they only ship to Nederlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

[@DutchGo]

Have you tried bol.com ? That could be an idea. Maybe check Amazon.nl too?

[@user-bi1qi8bl9y]

@@DutchGo Sweet! I found the books on bol.com, thank you for the information!

[@jimmysaw3804]

Could you recommend some advanced book? I almost graduated dutch language in Poland. My level is about strong B2. Our university predicted that we are going to have C1 level when we will finish, but because of online lessons its impossible. I need a study book with dutch / english text. My frind will send me a book to poland. Thnk you in advance :)

[@ninacuypers2225]

Tot welk taalniveau gaat "Vanzelf sprekend"? Is dat ook geschikt voor een niet-beginner op niveau begin B1. Ik ben opzoek naar een herhaling van de basisgrammatica maar toch tot een zeker niveau, en ook met veel oefeningen. Bedankt!

[@kellysharongutierrezortega1416]

Hi! do you have any review about the Prisma Dutch for Self-Study - Nederlands voor Zelfstudie? I am now studying a master in the Netherlans and I want to learn dutch by my own.

[@manuelgerman1426]

Do you have the pdf of that book?

[@user-jd3zq1qn4t]

Hello does the book have English translated to Dutch or only Dutch

[@saoirseviolet9284]

Where can I buy both Vanzelfsprekend books online?

[@fleurpaumen8877]

Bedankt voor de video en inspiratie Nout! Ik overweeg om Nederlandse conversatie lessen te geven aan Indonesische volwassenen hier in Jakarta. Ik ben twee decades geleden geemigreerd naar Indonesie en spreek nu vloeiend Bahasa. Ik ben zelf ook een voorstander van een taal leren zonder veel gebruik te maken van een text boek. Ik heb 5 ervaring in Engels lessen geven aan kinderen, door middel van songs (audio visuele input ) en games (output). Nu alles online is wil ik 'switchen' naar Nederlands voor volwassen. Zou je het book Vanzelfsprekend aanbevelen als 'teacher' om te gebruiken bij het samenstellen van de lessen? Bedankt en 'keep up the good work!'

[@DutchGo]

Jazeker, ik heb het zelf ook in mijn beginjaren als leraar gebruikt. Ik kan het absoluut als startpunt aanbevelen. Succes ermee!

[@fleurpaumen8877]

Mooi, bedankt voor je snelle reactie! Ik heb gekeken bij bol.com, amazon en uitgeverij acco. Er verschillende edities en prijzen. Belangrijk lijkt mij het audio-visuele materiaal. Slechts bij het docentenboek op de Acco site staat heel duidelijk dat er een USB stick bijzit en de audio fragmenten te 'downloaden' zijn via een code. Bij het werkboek/ textboek staat included CD's maar ik las ergens dat die niet meer compatible zijn, Heb jij daar meer informatie over ? Denk je dat ik studenten verplicht moet stellen om het aan te schaffen of kan het in het begin ook zonder? Alvast bedankt!

[@manuelgerman1426]

And you think, that you have the cds-mp3 or the pdf of taal vital, it will be much help to people who want to study Dutch , in my country don't exist books to study Dutch

[@Melvorgazh]

I am looking for a good bilingual book Dutch / French or Dutch/ English, preferably for kids. Groetjes uit Brussel

[@ivanvaraschin657]

What about "Contact!"?

[@Melvorgazh]

I went to the public Dutch speaking library in place de la Monnaie, and at the Dutch speaking book shop Oman's found NO Flemish language method. The only 2 things that ressemble a method I ever found was "Le Flamand de Poche" by Assimil and Brussels Lexicon, with vocabulary differences between Dutch and Brussels Flemish... And there were a lot of differences, but NO CD or cassette to practice a good a trustworthy pronunciation. 😐 I would have been delighted to learnt least some basic few hundred words of Gent, Brugge or Brabant dialects. There is or was NO method the last time I checked, 2-3 years ago. Jammer indeed

[@antoniomonteiro2856]

Zichtbaar nederlands Grammatica NT2 van COUTINHO vind ik heel goed. Ik houd ook van Assimil néerlandais voor zelfstudie.

[@DutchGo]

Zichtbaar Nederlands ken ik niet zo goed, Assimil is heel goed voor zelfstudie inderdaad!

[@nathanmcgarvey6613]

Hey Nout! Love the vid, how useful would Vanzelf Sprekend be for an upper beginner? Is it aimed at complete beginners? Or intermediate or advanced? Thank you kindly.

[@DutchGo]

That's a very good question. "Vanzelfsprekend" covers a lot of ground and I think in general, you can use it, even if you're not a complete beginner. It covers A1-A2 level stuff, has a lot of conversational phrases, etc. I think you should go for it. It however does depend on what you define as "upper" beginner. If you're a very very solid A2 going on to B1, then I wouldn't necessarily recommend this one. It's exactly for discussions like this that the European frame of reference comes in handy. :D

[@nathanmcgarvey6613]

@@DutchGo Perfect, you've given me more clarity, I shall go for it, thank you for the in depth response, take care!

[@eyupcoskun6541]

Its helpful kamerraad

[@ryanmoye9189]

Has anyone been able to buy "Vanzelfsprekend" in the US? I wasn't able to buy it on Amazon or Bol.

[@ryanmoye9189]

@manuel. I managed to get it used on Amazon.

[@ryanmoye9189]

@manuel. the book covers basic vocabulary and grammar. Like A1 to A2 level. Lot's of repetitive usage of the same words. I do like the cultural sections at the end of each lesson though. I think it really depends on how you learn. If you prefer to learn from a textbook, then it is great. Otherwise just try online. The grammar book I use is called "Essetnial Dutch Grammar". It is short and concise which I like.

[@somewhereinsouthamerica5829]

Where can I purchase the Vanzelf Sprekend book?

[@alexandrayorke7590]

I have ordered it on bol.com

[@somewhereinsouthamerica5829]

@@alexandrayorke7590 is the workbook available as well or is it included with textbook?

[@alexandrayorke7590]

@@somewhereinsouthamerica5829 Sorry for the late reply! The workbook is available on bol.com as well. The textbook is for 40,70 euros and the workbook for 30,40. But I have just checked the website and you can also buy the workbook for 23,20 (used of course, but the person says it's like new :D).

[@alextaou5139]

Which book would be the best for fast learning at self study?

[@DutchGo]

Vanzelfsprekend would be my go-to.

[@alextaou5139]

Thank you man, really appreciate it! Cheers from Greece 🇬🇷

[@DutchGo]

@@alextaou5139 You're welcome. I hope you get on well. But just so you know, this is really so much personal preference and I know that book the best too. So you know, take a pinch of salt and sprinkle it royally over the books.

[@alextaou5139]

I've seen others too such as Complete Dutch: A Teach Yourself Guide or Basic dutch Grammar but would love to have the opinion of an expert so its much more valuable than a random search I made, and thats why I asked you. P.s. great video

[@KaruMedve]

Does Vanzelfsprekend have an answer key for all the exercises?

[@DutchGo]

Yes it does!

[@KaruMedve]

@@DutchGo Sorry to be a pain, but do you know any bookstore that sells Vanzelfsprekend and posts outside Europe? I contacted a couple of bookstores and they only do postage to Benelux. One offered to post it, but they don't take credit cards and want me to do a bank transfer which is inconvenient and expensive from my end.

[@DutchGo]

@@KaruMedve Unfortunately, I don't know! Maybe contact the publishing house itself or local language schools?

[@KaruMedve]

@@DutchGo thank you so much, after I messaged you I checked on reddit and they recommended BOL, so I ordered the books through them.

[@languageservices8723]

“Editor houses” is not English. They’re called “publishers” or “publishing houses” in English.