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Dutch I for International Students

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 to prepare the lessons before and after. 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. Part 1 of the method Start.nl is covered in its entirety.

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 the Dutch II for International Students course.

Final Exam

The course is completed with an oral exam and a written exam.

Both the oral exam and the written exam take place on campus.

Target group

International students who want to learn Dutch. If you have already taken a Dutch course 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

  • For this course, some groups are offered on campus and some online. When registering through Osiris, you can see which groups are offered on campus and which groups are "online only."
  •  Active participation is an important part of our language proficiency courses. Therefore, you must be able to communicate digitally with the group and complete assignments outside of class. Make sure you have a stable Internet connection, a working webcam, and a headset or microphone. See the recommended hardware requirements
  • 80% attendance is required. Lessons are not recorded for later viewing.
  • The language of instruction in the course is Dutch (and if necessary, English).
  • 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 International Students in short

Duration and course format13 x 3-hour classes, 8 hours self-study per week, 6 ECTS
StartEnd of August and end of January
Course fee
  • Students Tilburg University: 6 Language Vouchers or € 432
  • Staff Tilburg University: the first Dutch course is free of charge for the employee but will be paid by the School/Service. If you have already participated in a Dutch course at the Language Center, you pay € 450
  • Alumni Tilburg University: € 450
  • External participants: € 510
LevelFrom 0 to A1 (Common European Framework of Reference)
Read moreCourse information and Timetable

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.

Student at Tilburg University
  • Students can register and deregister during the registration period via OSIRIS.
  • On the page cashing in language vouchers, you can find, amongst other things, more information about how to register if you have no vouchers or insufficient vouchers and the registration period.

Read our conditions before registration.

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.
    Check the (de-) registration deadlines.

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.
    Check the (de-) registration deadlines.

Read our conditions before registration.

External participant
  • Professionals from outside Tilburg University can take this language. 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.
    Check the (de-) registration deadlines.

Read our conditions before registration.