The University of Groningen Language Centre helps people who want to complete the Dutch integration process. Our courses are intended for highly educated newcomers who are able to learn a new language fast and have knowledge of English. This is required because the pace of these courses is rather high and, in many courses, English is used as support language. These courses comprise more and longer lessons than our other Dutch courses. If your mother tongue has few similarities with Dutch, this extra time allows you to still learn Dutch at a high pace. These courses also provide more space to learn about Dutch culture.
This course will teach you Dutch from level 0 to A2 and will focus on several aspects of Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij (KNM, Knowledge of Dutch Society). In addition, attention will be paid to intercultural communication and study skills. Pronunciation support by a speech therapist is also available as part of the course.
The course comprises 108 contact hours, divided into 36 lessons of 3 hours each. Per week, you will have 9 hours of lessons and you will need to spend 9 to 12 hours on self-study. Please take this time into account in order to be able to follow the course properly. The use of a laptop or computer is necessary to prepare well for the lessons. In addition to the lessons, you will have a total of three mentor meetings to guide you through the learning process and to discuss your progress.
In the lessons, we will spend extra time on speaking skills, pronunciation, and listening and writing assignments. You will regularly receive individual feedback on your assignments. There are fixed assessment moments during the course and listening and reading tests at A2 level must be taken at the end of the course. The teacher will then assess whether all of your skills (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) have reached A2 level.
Intake interview
Would you like to or do you have to complete the Dutch integration process and have you not done a Language Centre course before? Then, you will first have to do an intake interview with us before you can register for a course. Find out here which intake procedure applies to you.
How to register with a DUO loan
The Language Centre satisfies the Blik op Werk quality standard. This means that course participants who are obliged to participate in a civic integration programme can use their loan from the Education Executive Agency (DUO) to pay for their Dutch language course. Find out here how to register with a DUO loan.
Please note that a DUO loan allows you to take 2 courses per quarter for a maximum of €2,000. We will charge DUO for the total amount at the end of the course. Make sure there is enough money available from your quarterly limit at that time. If there is not enough money available, then you will have to pay the full amount yourself.
Course material
The course book is included in the course fee. You will receive the book before or during your first lesson from the Language Centre.
Nederlands in gang Berna de Boer, Margaret van der Kamp, Birgit Lijmbach ISBN 9789046905609 (3rd edition | 2017)
Dutch for newcomers: civic integration
For highly educated participants
Lots of individual feedback
Focus on speaking and understanding
Engaging and experienced teachers
€ 1950
Available dates
Course participant says
The atmosphere during the lessons was very fun and pleasant, making mistakes did not feel uncomfortable at all. Also, the teacher made the topics we covered very interesting!
Course participant says
The atmosphere during the lessons was very fun and pleasant, making mistakes did not feel uncomfortable at all. Also, the teacher made the topics we covered very interesting!