Dutch I for Expats
This is a course for highly educated people who work in an English-speaking environment but want to learn Dutch to manage in everyday life. In this course, you will learn basic Dutch vocabulary and grammar and be trained in the skills of reading, listening, speaking, and writing for practical situations. During the lessons the emphasis is on speaking skills in the form of dialogues and role plays.
The online material helps you prepare for and follow the lessons. You will also receive a weekly writing assignment, which you will have to rewrite based on feedback from your lecturer. Last but not least you get a lot of information about Dutch culture, for example about family relationships and food and drink. Chapters 1 to 8 of the method Start.nl are covered.
By the end of the course, you will have reached level A1. You will then be able to:
- give information and ask about basic topics such as country of origin, family, studies, and hobbies;
- share information about routines and habits, such as your daily routine and meals;
- make an appointment and respond to a proposal;
- go shopping, order food and drinks and discuss someone's preferences or prices;
- exchange basic information about your living situation;
- recount past events, such as travel experiences;
- understand the differences and similarities between your own culture and those of Dutch-speaking countries and make them comprehensible to others to facilitate communication;
- advance to Dutch II for Expats.
Target group
International staff or participants from outside the university who want to learn Dutch. If you have taken a course elsewhere but have doubts about your level, take this placement test (links to the (external) website of a fellow institute) or read more about the differences between Dutch I and II. You can also contact the Student Desk.
Specifics
- This course is taught entirely on campus. For assignments outside of class, you will need a PC or laptop at home with a stable Internet connection, a working webcam, and a headset or microphone. See this TiU website for recommended hardware requirements.
- 80% attendance is required. Lessons are not recorded for later viewing.
- The language of instruction in the course is Dutch (and English where appropriate).
- Language learning takes time! In this course, you are expected to spend 8 hours a week on independent study.
- The Language Center reserves the right to cancel the course should enrollment numbers prove to be insufficient.
Dutch I for Expats in short
| Duration and course format | 10 x 2.5-hour classes, 8 hours self-study per week |
| Start | Tuesday 20 February 2024 (de-)registration possible until 11 February 2024 |
| Schedule | Tuesday 15:45 - 18:15 |
| Dates | 20, 27 February, 5, 12, 19, 26 March, 2, 9, 16 and 23 April 2024 |
| Course fee (course materials not included) |
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| Level | From 0 to A1 (Common European Framework of Reference) |
| Course materials | Start.nl Deel 1 Coutinho, 2e druk, ISBN 9789046905661 |
Register
This course is intended for everyone who is highly educated. This means that you have a diploma at havo or vwo level and are therefore eligible to attend Higher Education in the Netherlands.
In our conditions, you can find more information about the registration period, etc.
Staff member at Tilburg University
- The first Dutch course will be covered by the School/Service. If you have already participated in a Dutch course at the Language Center, you can join this language course at a reduced rate. The fees can be paid by yourself or by your employer. Please indicate this on the registration form.
- Registration is possible from the moment the timetable for the course is available.
Read our conditions before registration.
Alumnus of Tilburg University
- Tilburg University alumni can take this language course at a reduced rate. The costs can be paid by yourself or by your employer. Please indicate this on the registration form.
- Registration is possible from the moment the timetable for the course is available.
Read our conditions before registration.
External participant
- Highly educated non-native speakers from outside Tilburg University are eligible for this language course. The costs can be paid by yourself or by your employer. Please indicate this on the registration form.
- Registration is possible from the moment the timetable for the course is available.
Read our conditions before registration.