Practise Dutch beyond the classroom: new Spreekkracht campaign connects learners

A new Dutch-practice campaign in Flanders and Brussels is encouraging learners to take their language skills beyond the classroom — and asking Dutch speakers to help keep the conversation going.

Spreekkracht launched during the Week of Dutch, 10–18 October 2026, and is scheduled to continue until August 2028. It brings together the Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering, Atlas Antwerpen, Amal Gent and Huis van het Nederlands Brussel.

For newcomers, the useful part is not another course enrolment deadline. The campaign points to existing ways of finding people and activities with whom to practise, whether through conversation, a hobby or volunteering.

Find a practice opportunity near you

For Flanders, the campaign directs learners to IKDOEMEE.BE to find opportunities to practise. Check the individual organiser’s information for the location, language level and joining conditions.

In Brussels, Nederlands oefenen in Brussel offers activity listings and information in Dutch, French and English. Its language icons help you judge how much Dutch an activity requires: level one is for people who do not yet understand or speak much Dutch, while level four is for confident speakers. Pick the description that fits you rather than assuming every activity is suitable for beginners.

A conversation café is not always a course

One local example is Café Combinne at GC de Kam in Wezembeek-Oppem. The centre lists Thursday meetings from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, with no registration required and free coffee, tea and water.

Its separate Wednesday conversation group has different conditions: participants pay €75 and must pass a level test. That distinction is worth checking wherever you go. Read the organiser’s listing for the next session, price, language level and booking requirements before travelling.

The campaign also asks Dutch speakers to take part in ordinary exchanges, from shops to hobbies. You do not have to be a teacher to be a conversation partner. For learners, the invitation is to practise, ask questions and allow yourself time — not to wait until every sentence is perfect.

Illustrative archive photograph of a conversation over coffee, taken in December 2020, not a Spreekkracht activity: Alexander Suhorucov / Pexels, under the Pexels License. Cropped and resized.