Hello fellow language learners! I moved to NL 6 years ago and stilly struggling to speak Dutch and recently read that Dutch is one of easiest languages which wasn’t helpful and a little offensive. I know I need to surround myself with the Dutch language but the struggle is getting from B level to C level like English. Anything less than C1++ is not enough to work with Dutch speaking coworkers.
As one of the methods to get to fluency, I built a functional prototype “Fluentor”. I collected the most common pain points from language learning app users on Reddit etc… and I’m currently conducting User Feedback to understand what’s genuinely useful and what’s not, so I can prioritize what’s important and what to improve! This could take 1-3 mins its mostly multiple choice.
The B-to-C Dutch gap: why so many internationals get stuck
If you are an international living in The Hague, you have probably seen the same pattern: people reach a functional level of Dutch, then plateau. You can handle groceries, appointments, simple conversations, and maybe even follow Dutch YouTube with effort. But real working Dutch is a different game.
The jump from B-level Dutch to C-level Dutch is less about knowing more words and more about being able to operate under pressure: meetings, jokes, fast back-and-forth, disagreements, nuance, and social confidence. In a Dutch-speaking workplace, that is the difference between “I can speak Dutch” and “I can work in Dutch”.
For many of us, the challenge is not motivation. It is method. We can do exercises for years and still freeze when a conversation gets fast, when someone switches topics, or when we need to explain something clearly without translating in our heads.
Why language apps often fail at the exact moment you need them most
Most mainstream language apps help with early progress, then start feeling repetitive. They may be good at:
basic vocabulary
short, scripted sentences
streaks and reminders
But when you need “real-life Dutch” you often run into common frustrations:
unnatural dialogues and robotic phrasing
too many isolated exercises with no context
grammar explanations that do not connect to real usage
not enough speaking practice, or speaking feedback that is not useful
a sense of grinding without feeling more fluent
This is not to criticize any specific product. It is a reality of how difficult it is to build something that genuinely supports speaking confidence, especially for people already around B1–B2.
A prototype approach: story-first practice for real-life Dutch
As one method to get myself closer to fluency, I built a functional prototype called Fluentor. It is not a finished app. It is not a commercial launch. It is a prototype to test whether a different structure can help bridge the B-to-C gap.
The core idea is simple: practice in context. Instead of only “lesson-first” learning, Fluentor is exploring:
interactive story scenes that feel closer to real life
practical phrases worth saving and reusing
one-tap helpers on sentences (translate, explain why, give real-life alternative)
weekly focus goals (speaking confidence, workplace Dutch, small talk, etc.)
deterministic progress tracking (so motivation is not only “streaks”)
I want something that makes practice feel like preparing for actual conversations in The Hague: at work, at the gemeente, with neighbors, at the dentist, in a café, or during a language exchange.
Why I am asking for feedback now
Because it is a prototype, I have to prioritize. I cannot build everything. The only way to build something useful is to ask people who are actually living this experience.
I also collected many common pain points from language learning app users across online communities (including Reddit discussions), and I want to validate what matters most for internationals learning Dutch in real life, especially here in The Hague and the Randstad.
I am currently running a short user feedback survey to learn:
what makes people quit language apps
what feels hardest right now (speaking, listening, vocabulary, confidence, grammar in context)
whether interactive story-based learning is motivating or distracting
what Study Mode tools people would realistically use every week
what builds trust in a learning tool (accuracy, privacy, clean UI, usefulness)
If you prefer not to share personal details, you can keep your answers general. The main goal is to understand priorities: what is genuinely useful, and what is not.
Thank you / Bedankt!
The Hague is an international city, and that is one of its strengths. But if you plan to build a long-term life here, Dutch often becomes the key that unlocks deeper friendships, smoother bureaucracy, and better work opportunities. Many of us want that, and many of us are working hard for it. This is my attempt to turn that struggle into something practical, and I would appreciate your input.
International recognition for the work of The Hague wedding photographer
A bride floats through the air, lifted by cheering guests while string lights sparkle above. The image symbolises exactly what wedding photographer Paco van Leeuwen loves to capture most: real moments, pure emotion, and a touch of humor. That approach earned him a 4th place ranking at the 2025 International Masters of Wedding Photography competition for photographers in the Benelux this year.
Van Leeuwen finished among former winners and internationally renowned photographers. In total, 12 of his photographs were awarded within a single year – an exceptional achievement in wedding photography.
This year’s competition received 12,154 submissions from 450 photographers, of which only 3.3% received an award.
Based in The Hague, Van Leeuwen photographs weddings both nationally and internationally. His style is timeless and story-driven, leaving room for spontaneity and unexpected moments. Thanks to his calm and almost invisible presence, couples quickly feel at ease – something he considers essential.
“You can’t direct emotion,” says Van Leeuwen. “You have to sense it coming, be present when the unique moment unfolds, and press the shutter at exactly the right time. The trust couples place in me remains the greatest compliment.”
Alongside his gratitude toward couples, Van Leeuwen also emphasises the strength of the photography community. “The level at which photographers continue to challenge and inspire one another elevates not only our work, but wedding photography as a whole to an international standard.”
An author based in The Hague has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Bö, an experimental fantasy novel rooted in the everyday landscape and quiet folklore of Leidschenveen.
The campaign went live earlier this month and aims to fund a self-published hardcover edition of the book. While originally arriving in the Netherlands to explore the country, the author found himself settling in Leidschenveen, where the neighbourhood and its atmosphere gradually became part of the story he was developing.
Set near the British School in the Netherlands, Bö unfolds across the familiar streets of Leidschenveen but approaches them from an unusual angle. The narrative combines multiple perspectives, including that of a dog, and explores themes of memory, identity and perception. Elements of dream-like storytelling are woven together with a form of magic based on sound and sensory experience, creating a world that blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination.
Many of the novel’s details are drawn from the author’s own life in The Hague, including his observations of the neighbourhood and his daily walks with his Tibetan Mastiff. Rather than presenting a traditional fantasy setting, Bö reimagines a recognisable local environment through a highly personal and imaginative lens.
The Kickstarter campaign offers supporters the chance to back the hardcover release of the novel and support the author’s literary debut. The project sits at the intersection of experimental fiction and sensory storytelling, with a strong connection to place at its core.
About the author Joerg Fritsch is a long-term technical writer and independent creator based in The Hague. Alongside his professional writing work, he has been developing Bö as a personal creative project inspired by his surroundings and experiences in Leidschenveen.
A new short fiction film set in The Hague is preparing to go into production at the end of February, and the filmmakers are putting out an urgent call for local support. Alongside a crowdfunding launch, the team is seeking cast and crew to help bring the project to life.
Carp Diem is a warm, humorous and emotionally grounded short film exploring motherhood, migration and the fear that if you do not act now, something precious may be lost forever. The story centres on a Slovak mother raising her Dutch-born daughter in The Hague, determined to pass on a Christmas Eve tradition from her own childhood. The challenge is unexpected but very real: finding a live carp in the Netherlands on Christmas Eve.
What begins as a practical problem becomes a deeper reflection on identity, belonging and how families hold on to cultural roots while building a life elsewhere. For many people living abroad, traditions are more than habits. They can be acts of love, and sometimes acts of stubbornness, offering a tangible connection to people, places and memories that are no longer close by. The film captures this tension with honesty, warmth and gentle humour.
Carp Diem is being directed and produced by Hague-based filmmaker Veronika Marsland and will be shot entirely in and around The Hague over two shoot days at the end of February. The city itself plays an important role in the story. With its internationally rooted communities and multicultural families, The Hague provides a natural and authentic setting for a film about life lived between cultures.
As production approaches, the team is actively seeking cast and crew based in or near The Hague. English-speaking roles are available for a mother, father and child, as well as a fish shopkeeper and a fisherman. There is also a call for crew members, including a director of photography, sound recordist, gaffer and production assistant.
A crowdfunding campaign has launched to help cover essential production costs and support the film’s journey to the international film festival circuit. The campaign also aims to spotlight creative storytelling taking place within The Hague’s international community and to give supporters a direct role in bringing a locally made film to life.
Interested cast, crew and supporters are encouraged to get involved soon, as filming is scheduled for the end of February.
DutchBuzz is an English radio programme of news, views and interviews that tells you what’s happening in this buzzing city of ours. The international team of presenters and reporters are from many different continents, but view The Hague as their home!
After taking a well earned holiday, DutchBuzz is back in January.
Listen live weekly on a Thursday from 7-8pm on Den Haag FM:
The Hague’s Pearls – listen to previous recordings
The podcasts below are devoted to members of the international community who have made a special contribution to the City of The Hague.
The DutchBuzz team takes pleasure in inviting and interviewing the city’s many ‘pearls’. Many of them have been featured in our programmes over the years because they reflect our rich and diverse international community.
Newsmakers, writers, local politicians, entertainers, innovators, entrepreneurs, experts in their field, and colourful personalities, they all make The Hague a better place to live and work in.
All the interviews have been broadcast, but we enjoyed them so much that we are now sharing them with you as special, celebratory podcasts.
Expaterience, the distinctive English-language talk show produced and hosted by international professionals in the Netherlands, opens 2026 with the sixth episode of its current season, addressing two themes that are both timely and deeply relevant on a global and personal level.
Hour 1 – Rule of Law: The Hague Perspective
In an era marked by political turbulence, rapid technological change, shifting global alliances, and growing public mistrust, the rule of law and democratic values have moved to the center of national and global debate.
Lead Host Sanjay Sharma sits down with four panelists representing organizations based in and around The Hague – International City of Peace & Justice – all working to support and strengthen democratic values, international justice, and human rights.
This panel examines how these foundational principles are holding up under modern pressures. The discussion explores the essential role of the rule of law in safeguarding rights, ensuring accountability, and providing a stable framework for governance.
By highlighting real-world examples and offering forward-looking insights, the panel provides viewers with a nuanced understanding of the relationship between legal frameworks and democratic ideals—and why protecting both remains essential to a thriving society.
Guest line-up Hour 1:
Fabricio Guariglia – Director, International Development Law Organization (IDLO), The Hague Branch Office
Valérie Gabard – Co-Director, UpRights
Marco de Jong – Former Diplomat and Advisory Board Member, ASEANcham EU
Richard Ghiasy – Director, GeoStrat; Lecturer Institute of Political Science, Leiden University
Hour 2 – Expat Entrepreneurs: The Untold Story
As more internationals choose the Dutch business landscape to build their ventures, many still face challenges navigating regulations, accessing networks, and finding the right support.
Hosted by Julie Taylor, founder of Buzz Business Networking and an accountability coach, this segment explores both the opportunities and hidden barriers shaping the expat entrepreneurial journey.
Julie is joined by four expert guests who offer practical insights into the emotional, financial, and strategic realities facing international founders today. Guest line-up Hour 2:
Adina Petre – Trauma Therapist and High-Performance Coach, bringing a unique perspective to help entrepreneurs achieve their business goals
Hans Develing – Founder and Owner, Advictus; a seasoned accountant with extensive experience with business owners from diverse international backgrounds
Dr. Sinéad Hewson – Founder, impact start-up Unconventional Innovators
Nikia Brown – Global Leader, Social Designer, and Public Speaker
Completing this episode’s on-air team alongside hosts Sanjay Sharma and Julie Taylor is Expaterience’s stand-up comedy and opinion contributor Anupama Srivastava, who opens Hour 2 with a column aligned with the theme of expat entrepreneurship.
Watch Expaterience Episode #06 from Saturday, January 24 onward on:
Expaterience is the dedicated English-language TV show and digital media project focusing on the stories and perspectives of internationals in the Netherlands, highlighting both their successes and the challenges they face in personal and professional life, situated within the context of key social issues and current international developments.
