The Netherlands – L2T – Second Language Tech

First Sentences

250 Words

The Netherlands is a small country.

It is in Europe.

People also call it Holland.

People there are Dutch.

Many people live in the Netherlands.

About 17 million people live there.

Amsterdam is the capital city.

Rotterdam is a big city.

The Hague is a big city.

Utrecht is a big city.

The Netherlands has many flowers.

In spring, there are many tulips.

Tulips are big flowers.

Tulips have many colors.

Many people come to see the flowers.

The country has many windmills.

Windmills are very old.

Long ago, people used windmills.

Windmills helped people work.

People like to visit windmills.

Many people ride bicycles.

There are many bike roads.

It is safe to ride a bike.

People ride bikes to school.

People ride bikes to work.

Even children ride bikes.

The Netherlands is very flat.

Some land is very low.

Some land is under the sea.

Water can be dangerous.

People built big walls.

These walls are called dikes.

Dikes stop the sea water.

People move water with canals.

Dutch people are good with water.

The Netherlands is famous for cheese.

Many people eat cheese.

Gouda is a kind of cheese.

Edam is a kind of cheese.

People also eat pancakes.

Stroopwafels are sweet cookies.

Many people speak Dutch.

Many people also speak English.

Life is clean and quiet.

People like family time.

The country has many museums.

Vincent van Gogh was an artist.

Rembrandt was an artist too.

The Netherlands has a king.

People wear orange on special days.

Level 1 Reader

540 Words

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small country in Europe. It is also called Holland. The people there are called Dutch.

Many people live in the Netherlands. About 17 million people live there. The capital city is Amsterdam. Other big cities are Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.

Flowers and Windmills

The Netherlands has many flowers. In spring, you can see many tulips. Tulips are big, colorful flowers. People come from many countries to see the tulips.

The country also has many windmills. Long ago, windmills helped people work. They used windmills to move water and make flour. Today, many windmills are old, but people still love them. Tourists visit the windmills.

Bicycles Everywhere

In the Netherlands, people love to ride bicycles. There are many bike roads. It is very safe to ride a bike. Many people ride bikes to school or work. Even small children ride bikes.

There are more bicycles than people in the country!

Water and Dikes

The Netherlands is a flat country. Many places are very low. Some land is under the sea level. This is dangerous. Water can come in from the sea.

So, Dutch people built dikes. A dike is like a big wall. It keeps the sea water out. They also use pumps and canals to move water. The Dutch are very smart about water.

Cheese and Food

The Netherlands is famous for its cheese. Dutch people eat a lot of cheese. Two popular kinds are Gouda and Edam. They are named after Dutch towns.

Dutch people also eat pancakes, herring (a kind of fish), and stroopwafels. A stroopwafel is a sweet cookie with syrup inside.

Life in the Netherlands

Many people in the Netherlands speak Dutch. But many also speak English. Life is quiet and clean. People like to spend time with family and friends.

The country has many parks and museums. One famous museum is the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It has many old paintings.

Art and History

The Netherlands has many famous artists. One is Vincent van Gogh. He painted many pictures. His art is in museums around the world.

Another artist is Rembrandt. He lived a long time ago. He painted many people and stories.

The Dutch King

The Netherlands has a king. His name is King Willem-Alexander. He lives in a palace. The king works for the country, but people also vote for leaders. So the Netherlands is a monarchy and a democracy.

Every year, people celebrate King’s Day. They wear orange clothes and have fun.

Trade and Travel

The Netherlands is good at trade. The port in Rotterdam is very big. Ships come from many places to bring things. People also use trains and boats to travel.

There is a fast train from the Netherlands to other countries like Belgium, France, and Germany.

Dutch Flag and Orange Color

The Dutch flag is red, white, and blue. But the national color is orange! On special days, people wear orange hats, shirts, and even paint their faces orange. Orange is the color of the royal family.

A Nice Place to Visit

The Netherlands is a small but beautiful country. It has flowers, bikes, windmills, cheese, and friendly people. It is a great place to live or visit.

Would you like to go?

Level 2 Reader

628 Words

Welcome to the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small country in Western Europe. Many people also call it “Holland,” but that is only part of the country. The real name is the Netherlands. It is famous for windmills, tulips, cheese, and bicycles.

The Netherlands is a flat country. There are not many hills or mountains. A large part of the country is below sea level. This means the land is lower than the sea. Long ago, people built dikes and canals to keep the water out. They used windmills to move water from the land back into the sea. Today, the dikes and pumps still protect the land.

Amsterdam and Other Cities

Amsterdam is the capital city. It is famous for its canals, old buildings, and museums. Many tourists come to see the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam is also a city of bikes. Almost everyone rides a bicycle. The city has special bike lanes and traffic lights just for bikes.

Other big cities in the Netherlands include Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. Rotterdam is a modern city with one of the biggest ports in the world. The Hague is where the Dutch king lives, and it is also the center of government. Utrecht is in the middle of the country and is known for its beautiful canals and old university.

Dutch People and Culture

The people in the Netherlands are called Dutch. Most Dutch people speak Dutch, but many also speak English very well. In school, children often learn English, German, or French from a young age.

The Dutch are known for being open-minded and practical. They believe in freedom, hard work, and helping others. Dutch society is very equal. Men and women have the same rights. Most people live in small houses or apartments. Family life is important, and people often eat dinner together every night.

Food and Traditions

Dutch food is simple but tasty. One popular food is stroopwafels, a sweet snack made from two thin waffles with caramel inside. Another is haring, which is raw fish with onions. People also eat a lot of cheese, like Gouda and Edam.

On King’s Day (April 27th), the whole country wears orange. People celebrate the king’s birthday with music, games, and markets. It is a very happy day. Another special event is Sinterklaas, which is like Christmas. Children get presents on the evening of December 5th.

Tulips, Bicycles, and Windmills

In spring, the Netherlands becomes full of color. Fields of tulips bloom in red, yellow, pink, and purple. The Keukenhof Garden is one of the most famous places to see tulips. People from all over the world come to take pictures.

There are also many bicycles in the Netherlands. In fact, there are more bikes than people! It is very normal to ride a bike to school, work, or the store. The country has over 35,000 kilometers of bike paths.

Windmills are another famous symbol. Today, most windmills are not used for work, but they are still important for Dutch history and culture. You can visit old windmills and learn how they worked in the past.

A Modern, Green Country

The Netherlands is a modern country. It is one of the richest countries in the world. People use technology in many ways, and public transport is fast and easy to use. The country also cares a lot about the environment. Many homes have solar panels. People try to recycle and use clean energy.

Final Thoughts

The Netherlands is a small but interesting country. It is full of history, culture, and beauty. From bikes and tulips to windmills and friendly people, it has many things to enjoy and explore. If you ever visit Europe, the Netherlands is a great place to go!

Level 3 Reader

694 Words

The Netherlands: A Country Below the Sea

The Netherlands is a small but fascinating country in Western Europe. It is known for its flat landscape, windmills, tulips, and canals. However, there is much more to this country than meets the eye. With a long history of innovation, a strong economy, and a diverse culture, the Netherlands is a unique and influential nation.

A Land Below Sea Level

One of the most surprising facts about the Netherlands is that much of the country lies below sea level. In fact, around one-third of the land would be underwater if it weren’t for the country’s impressive water management systems. The Dutch have built dikes, canals, and pumping stations to protect the land from flooding. The Delta Works, a complex system of dams and storm surge barriers, is considered one of the most advanced engineering projects in the world. These structures help keep the sea out and ensure the safety of the people living in low-lying areas.

Windmills and Tulips

When many people think of the Netherlands, they imagine wide fields filled with tulips and old windmills turning slowly in the wind. These images are not just tourist clichés—they are part of the country’s identity. The Dutch began planting tulips in the 17th century, and the flower became so popular that it even caused a financial bubble known as “Tulip Mania.” Today, the Netherlands is the world’s largest exporter of flowers, and tulip fields attract tourists from all over the globe.

Windmills were once essential to the Dutch economy. They were used to pump water out of the land, grind grain, and saw wood. Although modern machines have replaced most of them, around 1,000 traditional windmills still exist and are carefully preserved as national monuments.

A History of Trade and Openness

The Netherlands has always been a country of merchants and explorers. During the 17th century, known as the Dutch Golden Age, it became one of the most powerful trading nations in the world. Dutch ships sailed to Asia, Africa, and the Americas, bringing goods like spices, silk, and tea back to Europe. Amsterdam became a major financial center, and the Dutch East India Company was one of the first multinational corporations.

This history of trade also made the Dutch open to different cultures and ideas. Today, the Netherlands continues to value openness and tolerance. It was one of the first countries in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, and its cities are known for being multicultural and inclusive.

Bikes, Canals, and Cheese

Cycling is a major part of everyday life in the Netherlands. The country has more bicycles than people, and the infrastructure is designed to make biking safe and convenient. With over 35,000 kilometers of dedicated bike paths, it’s easy to get around without a car.

The canals in cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht are another unique feature of Dutch life. Built hundreds of years ago for trade and transport, these canals now offer beautiful views and are popular for boat tours.

Another Dutch treasure is cheese. The Netherlands produces a variety of famous cheeses, such as Gouda and Edam. Cheese markets in towns like Alkmaar are popular tourist attractions, where people can watch traditional cheese-carrying and taste local specialties.

A Modern and Innovative Society

Although the Netherlands has a rich history, it is also a highly modern country. It has one of the best public transportation systems in Europe, and Dutch universities are known for their high quality. The country is a leader in renewable energy, architecture, and design. Dutch cities often score high in global rankings for quality of life, safety, and sustainability.

The Netherlands is also home to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, showing its commitment to global peace and justice.

Final Thoughts

The Netherlands may be small in size, but it has made a big impact on the world. From fighting back the sea with clever engineering to shaping culture through trade, art, and innovation, the Dutch continue to influence global society in many ways. Whether you visit for the tulips, the museums, or just a bike ride along a canal, the Netherlands has something special to offer.

Extensive Listening

Level 1 Audio