University of Groningen’s Free Online Dutch Course Reaches 300,000 Participants
How a free online Dutch course from the University of Groningen is breaking language barriers for learners worldwide.
A Global Success in Language Learning
Since its launch in 2015, the free Introduction to Dutch course from the University of Groningen’s (RUG) Language Centre has become a worldwide success, helping 300,000 people learn the basics of Dutch. What began as a small initiative for international students and staff has expanded into a widely recognized Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that attracts thousands of learners each year.
From a Small Experiment to a Massive Milestone
When the Introduction to Dutch course was first introduced on FutureLearn, an online learning platform, the developers expected just a few hundred participants. However, the response exceeded all expectations—35,000 people signed up for the first session alone. Since then, the course has continued to draw learners from all over the world, including:
Future RUG students and staff
Individuals with Dutch family members or partners
Language enthusiasts
Refugees newly arriving in the Netherlands
Seeing the high number of refugees using the course, the University of Groningen established connections with the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) and the Dutch Refugee Council, who now refer asylum seekers to the MOOC as an accessible first step in learning Dutch.
An Engaged Learning Community
The success of the MOOC goes beyond numbers—it has also created a strong learning community. Course co-developer Margriet Hidding notes that participants actively support one another, regardless of their backgrounds. "In a world full of conflict, people in this course help each other, whether they are struggling with grammar rules like ‘de’ or ‘het’ or simply encouraging fellow learners to keep going."
The course also provides essential feedback and support. Learners can submit writing assignments and ask questions, receiving guidance from instructors. Many participants have shared emotional stories of how the course has made a difference in their lives. One Syrian refugee, for example, wrote: "I’m in an emergency shelter where there are no Dutch lessons yet, but thanks to this course, I can start learning Dutch on my phone."
Consistent Demand and Future Plans
While participation has decreased from the early peak years, thousands of learners still enroll in every session. The MOOC has been updated over time, but the core approach remains unchanged: providing a low-barrier, high-quality introduction to Dutch.
The University of Groningen offers the Introduction to Dutch course three times per year, in February, August, and November. The next session will begin on February 24. More details can be found on the RUG Language Centre website.