From Duolingo to Real Dutch: The Missing Step Is Speaking Reps
Why app learners stall—and the simple loop that gets you talking confidently.
Practice speaking English with Chickytutor - the AI language tutor mentioned in this guide!
From Duolingo to Real Dutch: The Missing Step Is Speaking Reps
If you live in the Netherlands, you might recognize this: you can follow Dutch conversations, but when it’s your turn to speak, you hesitate, translate in your head, and the moment is gone.
Recognition (tapping answers) doesn’t create production (speaking). You need speaking reps.
The 10-minute speaking loop
Use this daily. Keep it small enough that you actually do it.
- Warm-up (1 min) — say 5 filler phrases out loud (no thinking).
- Scenario (6 min) — roleplay one real situation. Don’t stop; paraphrase if you get stuck.
- One correction target (2 min) — fix one thing (word order, de/het, pronunciation, pacing).
- Retell (1 min) — summarize the scenario in new words.
Example lines to practice
- Ik snap het wel, maar ik krijg het er niet uit.
A simple prompt you can use today
Pretend you’re speaking to a colleague/shop employee. Say:
- what you want
- why you want it
- what you already tried
- what you’re asking them to do next
Where ChickyTutor fits
ChickyTutor is a speaking-first AI voice tutor: pick Dutch, press the mic, and speak. It responds instantly and corrects pronunciation/word choice/grammar while keeping you talking.
Try it for free and aim for 10 minutes a day. The goal isn’t perfect Dutch — it’s reliable Dutch under pressure.