The Nedbox app for learning Dutch

Learning Dutch isn’t just about knowing the difference between “de” and “het”. It’s about thriving in the wild: navigating the supermarket, nailing a job interview, or surviving small talk in the lift. The challenge? Turning classroom smarts into real-world confidence. Enter the NedBox app – a language app that tosses the old grammar drills out the window and dives straight into survival-mode Dutch. Think of it as your personal crash course in how-to-Dutch, minus the yawns.

In the world of NT2 (Dutch as a second language), KU Leuven’s Centrum voor Taal en Onderwijs (CTO) has made quite a name for itself in Flanders. In collaboration with the Instituut voor Levende Talen (ILT), they developed the original NedBox website – packed with news-based reading and listening exercises for newcomers – was a hit. Teachers couldn’t stop recommending it, learners kept coming back for more, and word-of-mouth did the rest.

But… let’s be honest: while reading the headlines is great, it doesn’t help you ask the baker for a baguette without a mini-panic attack. NedBox knew this gap needed filling, so they teamed up with Linguineo to cook up the NedBox-app. Practical, intuitive, and laser-focused on what learners actually need to tackle daily life in Dutch.

Ditch the drills – speak, read, and listen like a pro

Most apps play it safe, throwing endless grammar drills and vocab lists at learners. Useful? Meh. Fun? Hardly. The NedBox app flips the whole game. It’s a judgement-free zone where mistakes are encouraged (yes, really), prepping users for everyday interactions without fear of blank stares or awkward silences.

Lost in government forms? Sorted. Confused by a cashier’s rapid-fire Dutch? No bother. Need to chat with your kid’s teacher? You’ve got this.

Why the NedBox app stands out?

Forget dry grammar rules and out-of-context vocabulary. NedBox brings task-based learning to life with the help of conversational AI, offering vocabulary exercises alongside practical reading and listening tasks. The gist? You practice the stuff you’ll actually need.

It’s Dutch for the here-and-now, not the distant “maybe someday”.  Plus, the NedBox app offers real-time feedback with instant tips to sharpen your skills.

Impact

In its first week, NedBox soared into Belgium’s app store top 10. Fast-forward a year later, and over 30,000 users are speaking Dutch with a newfound swagger. NT2 teachers swear by it, weaving it into lessons, while learners use it to tackle life’s challenges like pros. Awkward small talk, official letters, and daily errands? Bring it on.

Why Linguineo?

At Linguineo, we don’t just build software – we craft tools that change lives. CTO brought the (excellent!) content, and we brought the (strong, innovative) technology. The NedBox app is a shining example of how collaboration between content experts and tech pioneers leads to functional results. The synergy between cutting-edge technology and high-quality content has been essential in creating a tool that not only educates but empowers learners.

Ready to empower learners?

Download the NedBox app for free for Android or for iOS.