When you sign up for the classes, you need to indicate your level* at the start of the Summer course. To help you determine the right level for you, we have:
– a level determination test
– level descriptions (below)
– if you doubt: personal advice
* What if you choose the wrong level? In most situations, it is possible to switch groups: if the other level is given on the same date / location, and if there is availability in the other group.
Our group lessons are given from level “zero” till “advanced” (C1). The range from “zero” till intermediate (B2) we divided into 2-week blocks.
Each block corresponds to a level, and 2 weeks of intensive tuition. These blocks are successive.
That means: 2 weeks to get from zero to A1, 2 weeks to get from A1 to A2 etc. If you visit us for 2 blocks (4 weeks) or more: you enroll at your indicated starting level, and then after 2 weeks you go to the next level.
Example: 8 weeks, starting at A1 level:
If you do the level determination test, you measure your level at this moment.
You plan to study a lot before visiting us in Summer? Then you might consider higher level to enroll.
Some recommendations:
– if you have zero level, or you have a level between zero and A1, subscribe for level A1 in case you plan to complete our e-learning course #dutchgrammar
– if you have level A1 or somewhere between A1 and A2, subscribe for level A2 in case you plan to complete our e-learning course #dutchgrammar-2
– for each 60-100 hours you plan to spend on studying the language – add 1 block; but be careful, it will depend on the quality of your method, whether it address all the needed subjects, and your talent; consult the course coordinator if you doubt
– it is not advised to book 2 blocks higher than your current level, consult the course coordinator if you consider this option
– make sure you commit to your plans; for example: if you are zero level and you sign up for A1 with the plan to do #dutchgrammar; if you quit #dutchgrammar half way – no group will fit: the zero group will be too easy, and the A1 group will be too difficult. If you start it, then make sure you complete it.
| Right level to start: | Enrollment level | Description |
| LEVEL 1 (from 0 tot A1) | Total beginner | You have never studied Dutch. Or you have studied just a little bit (not enough to enroll on level A1). |
| LEVEL 2 (from A1 to A2) | A1 | Prior study: you have completed an introduction course, where you at least spent 60-100 hours on studying (including self-study).
Knowledge: you know at least 750-1000 words and the basic elements of grammar, such as: conjugation of verbs, main clause word order, inversion word order, structure of questions, plural nouns, possessive adjectives, modal verbs, comparative, diminutive, behaviour of adjectives with de/het words, elementary understanding of past tense and present perfect. Skills: you can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. You can introduce yourself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details. You can can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. |
| LEVEL 3 (from A2 to A2+) | A2 | This is an extra level, that we introduced in 2017: between the A1->A2 group and the A2/B1 group, aimed at those who start at a lower level (0 or A1) and plan to study for a longer period.
Why? For the main part of our students the jump from the A1->A2 group to the A2/B1 group is very difficult, except for native speakers of German or a Scandinavian language. This extra level prepares better for the A2/B1 level, reviewing and expanding knowledge of the previous levels. Native speakers of German/Scandinavian can skip this level in case they are willing to study extra in the first 2 levels. |
| LEVEL 4 (A2/B1.1) | A2+ | Prior study: you have completed one or more courses with a total study load of at least 160-250 hours (including self study).
Knowledge: you know at least 1200-1600 words. You can apply the basic elements of grammar as specified in A1 and A2, and you know more detailed grammar elements such as separable verbs, reflexive verbs, conjunctions and subclause word order, verb-preposition combinations. Skills: you can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). You can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Good to know: in Amsterdam we offer this as a 2-week block, where we usually cover the first 5 chapters of ‘Nederlands in Actie’; in Drenthe deal with this level in more detail: 2 sessions of 2 weeks where we cover chapter 1-4 in the first 2 weeks and chapter 5-8 in the second session. |
| LEVEL 5 (A2/B1.2) | Strong A2/weak B1 | Prior study: level 4. This level is only for those who completed the previous level (or studied somewhere else with ‘Nederlands in Actie’ and completed chapter 4. |
| LEVEL R (for returning students, comparable to B1/B2) | B1 | Prior study: you have completed one or more courses with a total study load of at least 250-400 hours (including self study). Knowledge: you know at least 2000-2500 words. You can apply the grammar as specified in A1 and A2 in phrase constructions. You know more complicated grammar constructions, like stuctures with ‘te + verb’ and use of other tenses, like the conditional and future tense, and sentences with “er”. You know common expressions. Skills: you can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. You can deal with most situations likely to arise while travelling in an area where the language is spoken. You can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. You can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Especially for students who return (and have done the previous levels at our program): the journey from B1 to B2 is not something you can do in 1 session. A lot of students who have gone through our 5 levels, want to return at a later stage… to refresh, review and further improve their knowledge of Dutch. To make it interesting for our students to return, we guarantee unique materials (a different book) every session. So our loyal students can continue to return, not being affraid that they will study the same materials as before. |
| LEVEL ADVANCED | B2/C1 | WE WILL NOT PROVIDE THIS LEVEL IN 2018
Prior study/knowledge: difference between B1 and B2 is not really the amount of study; but rather user experience, active vocabulary (at least 2500-3000 words), expressions. You know how to apply all the grammar constructions from the previous levels. Skills: you can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. You can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. You can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. You can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. |
The descriptions above help you to determine the right STARTING level. But what to expect from the level you have AFTER a course? (on the condition that you attend all the classes and you spend the required time on the homework)
Beginner and follow up course:
– When you start at zero level, you may expect level A1 after 2 weeks.
– When you start at A1 level, you may expect level A2 after 2 weeks.
Our Amsterdam course is a more intensive than Drenthe (25 vs 20 ac. hours/week). You can expect to master the same content. The extra hours in Amsterdam are spent on extra acquiring conversation skills.
Follow up plus A2/B1:
In general – to go from A2 to B1, you need about 120-200 hours of study. In Drenthe we have split up this level into 2 blocks: “part 1” and “part 2”, which are successive (4 weeks in total). In Amsterdam – this is just 1 block (2 weeks). Therefore the end level after 4 weeks in Drenthe is higher, than after 2 weeks in Amsterdam.
Higher levels:
The names of the courses “B1/B2” and “B2/C1” refer to the level on which the course is given (with the goal to group students of the same level). Please note, it does not indicated that when you start at B1 you finish at B2 (which requires a much larger time frame of studying).
Other factors that influence the result:
Positive factors:
– you know the German language
– you are talented in learning foreign languages
– you speak only Dutch outside the classes during the course
Negative factors:
– you don’t attend the classes / you don’t do the homework
– you never studied another foreign language
– you have a bad command of English (instruction language)
– you continue your job during the course (or other things that consume much time/energy)