Conversational Dutch up to A2

In this course, we will work on improving your speaking skills. In an interactive way and at a high pace, you will learn to converse better in Dutch. The emphasis is on learning to speak better and more easily. Exercises to improve your fluency are also included. You will receive a lot of individual feedback which allows you to work on your personal focus points.

Who is this course for?

This course is for participants who have completed theory up to Dutch on CEFR level A2, but whose speaking skills are not yet quite sufficient. The course is taught in Dutch as much as possible, with explanations provided in English when necessary. It is therefore important that you have a good command of English in order to participate in the course.

The course is openly accessible to everyone: UG students, UG staff, and external parties! Full-time international students, PhD students, and postdocs of the University of Groningen can take these Dutch courses at the Language Centre at the expense of the Board of the University of Groningen. Read all about these regulations and see if it applies to you here. 

Plan a consultation
Have you not taken a Dutch course at the Language Centre before? Then it is mandatory to first take a consultation with one of our teachers. 

What will you learn in this course?

The course consists of eight lessons of two contact hours. A regular course lasts six weeks and an intensive course lasts four weeks. During the course, you will learn, among other things:

• Learn to formulate good sentences
• Learn to speak in the past tense
• Learn the correct pronunciation
• Expand your vocabulary

The teacher will not cover grammar in this course, however, you will improve your grammar naturally by engaging in various speaking exercises!

How many hours of independent study are required?

You should expect to spend a total of 16 hours on independent study in order to stay on track with the course. This  includes, for example, training your speaking skills and doing preparatory work  for the upcoming lesson. You will benefit  the most from  the course if you practise briefly every day. You will also receive individual feedback on four occasions, allowing you to work  on your specific focus points.

What will you be able to do after the course?

• Speak better and more easily
• Use more understandable speech
• Speak on different topics

After successfully completing this course, you will be ready for the follow-up course Dutch A2>A2/B1.

Course material

During this course, we use the following materials. You will need to purchase these materials yourself:

• Beter Nederlands spreken
  Marilene Gathier, Marieke Goedegebure
  ISBN 9789046905005 (1e druk | 2016)

This book also comprises an individual login code for a website containing additional exercises, listening fragments, videos, and songs. You need this code to be able to actively participate in the course. You can also purchase the code separately from the publisher Coutinho. This is necessary when you purchase a second-hand copy of the book.

Please note: due to the frequent use of illegal digital versions of this book, participants of the on-site course are required to purchase the paper copy of the book. Digital versions are not allowed. If you had already purchased a legal e-book for a previous course, please email your teacher before the start of your course to report that you have a digital version. A check will be performed during the first lesson to establish whether it is a legal version. If you are taking an online course, a legal e-book is allowed.

Where do I purchase the book?

• With your DUO-loan (for persons integrating). You cannot select the book during registration. Instead, the Language Centre will send you an email after registration, asking you if you want to purchase the book via your DUO-loan. Please do not buy the book yourself!
• Through your local bookstore or online sellers such as Coutinho and Bol.com. When purchasing a physical book online, pay attention to the delivery time to ensure you receive the book on time.

Practical information

• Registration and payment
• Language levels
• Discount schemes
• Following a course and final assessment

Have a look at all our Dutch for non-native speakers course options.

Rates

Students and employees of the UG, UMCG, Hanze and Windesheim pay the student rate (students) or discount rate (employees). UG students, PhDs' and postdocs are eligible for the UG compensation. Log in via the red button to activate the discount!

Student rate € 290  |  Discount rate € 330  |  Full rate € 360

Rates UG compensation: UG student € 0 |  UG PhD or postdoc not using the 30% tax facility € 0 |  using the 30% tax facility € 165

Available dates