Learning a new language has never been easier. With AI-powered apps, chatbots,
and online tools, you can practise vocabulary, check your grammar, and improve
your pronunciation. You can even have a conversation in Dutch whenever you want.
So what does the future of learning a language look like in a world where AI can
translate, correct, and even have conversations with you?
As students at the University of Amsterdam, we recently had the opportunity to
explore this question as part of a research project for Koentact. Our research
focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in language education and what
this could mean for the way people learn Dutch. Could AI eventually replace parts of
a traditional language course? What can AI do particularly well? And perhaps most
importantly: what does AI not offer when it comes to learning a language?
So, can AI teach you Dutch?
In many ways, the answer is yes. AI has become a powerful tool for language
learners. It can help you practise vocabulary, correct grammar, give immediate
feedback, and create personalised exercises. It can even simulate conversations,
allowing you to practise speaking without worrying about making mistakes in front of
another person. And you can do all of this whenever you want. This accessibility and
low-pressure environment can be particularly valuable for language learners. AI can
give students a safe space to practise and can help reduce some of the anxiety that
comes with speaking a new language.
But there is a catch: learning Dutch isn’t just about knowing what the correct
sentence is. It is about knowing how to use that sentence when you’re standing at a
café, talking to a colleague, meeting your Dutch neighbour or trying to follow a
conversation with a group of friends. And that is where things get more complicated.
A language only really comes alive when you use it with
people
One of the key insights from the research is that second-language acquisition is not
purely a cognitive process. You can study grammar. You can memorise vocabulary.
You can practise pronunciation. But eventually, you have to use the language in a
social environment.
Speaking with native speakers exposes you to the kind of Dutch you don’t
necessarily find in a textbook. People speak quickly. They use expressions you have
never heard before. They interrupt each other, make jokes, change subjects and
sometimes use words that make absolutely no sense to you. That can be frustrating.
But it is also how you learn.
Our research highlights the importance of interaction and social participation in
second-language acquisition. Regular contact with native speakers gives learners
access to authentic everyday language and helps them develop the communication
strategies needed to navigate real conversations. Learning a language is about
much more than learning the language itself. It is about communication. It is about
confidence. It is about culture. And, perhaps most importantly, it is about people.
Language connects all of us. It connects people from different groups. These
connections can broaden social networks, increase a sense of belonging and
support motivation to learn the language. In other words, you don’t just learn Dutch
by studying Dutch. You learn Dutch by living it.
Why making mistakes is part of the process
There is another reason human interaction matters: it forces you to take a risk.
Speaking a new language can feel uncomfortable. You know what you want to say,
but you cannot remember the words. You put a sentence together and realize
halfway through that the grammar is probably wrong. Someone asks you a question
in Dutch and suddenly your mind goes completely blank.
We have all been there. And while an AI chatbot can provide a safe environment to
practise, real conversations teach you something different: how to communicate
despite not being perfect. Research on language learning emphasises the
importance of a supportive and safe environment where learners feel comfortable
experimenting with a new language without fear of judgement.
That is why a good Dutch course for internationals isn’t just about correcting
mistakes. It is about creating an environment where you feel comfortable making
them. Because the goal isn’t to speak perfect Dutch. The goal is to keep speaking
Dutch.
This is where human connection makes a difference
At Koentact, this idea has always been central to the way we approach language
learning. The Dutch courses in Amsterdam combine language lessons with
opportunities to interact, explore the city and meet other people. Students don’t only
learn Dutch in a classroom; they also get opportunities to use what they have
learned outside the classroom. That social element matters.
When you take a Koentact Dutch course in Amsterdam, you’re not simply learning
alongside other students. You’re meeting people who are going through a similar
experience, internationals who are building a new life in Amsterdam and trying to find
their place in Dutch society. And sometimes, your classmates become your friends.
This is one of the things that technology cannot easily replicate. AI can respond to
you. A teacher can guide you. But another person can connect with you.
The future isn’t AI versus teachers
So, does this mean we should reject AI and stick to traditional language teaching?
Not at all. In fact, our research suggests almost the opposite. AI can be a valuable
addition to language education. It can take care of repetitive exercises, offer
personalised practice, provide immediate feedback, and give students extra
opportunities to practise between classes. That can actually make human teaching
more valuable, not less.
If AI can help with repetition and individual practice, teachers can focus even more
on the things that require human interaction: motivation, communication, social
learning, and authentic conversations. The future of language learning may therefore
not be about choosing between technology and people. It may be about combining
the strengths of both.
What does this mean for Koentact?
Koentact’s role as a Dutch language school in Amsterdam is not simply to help
people memorise Dutch vocabulary or pass a language exam. It is to help
internationals actually use Dutch in their everyday lives. Because a language isn’t
just something you know. It’s something you share. You use it to tell stories, make
jokes, ask questions, misunderstand people, laugh about your mistakes, and
eventually have conversations that feel natural. You use it to connect.
AI will undoubtedly continue to change the way we learn languages. It will become
better at understanding us, correcting us, and adapting to our individual needs. It will
give learners more opportunities to practise whenever and wherever they want. And
that’s exciting. But our research for Koentact reminded us of something equally
important. The future of learning Dutch is still about people.
