Discover the Dutch

**This is a non-credit course, the students taking it will receive a certificate.

Fall Periods: 1 and 2
Spring Periods: 4 and 5

OVERVIEW
Are you (temporarily) working or studying in The Netherlands? It is interesting, useful and fun to learn to speak Dutch at a basic level and to learn about Dutch culture and society. Is being able to speak Dutch not a necessity for your work or study, but would you like to have conversations with Dutch relatives or friends, be able to shop and order a beer or a coke? And are you interested in the Dutch culture and society? Join our pra ctical, non - intensive evening course 'Discover (the) Dutch' . Within 16 weeks you will learn to use and understand the basics of Dutch language. In short, Dutch for everyday purposes. You will also acquire some basic understanding about Dutch history and culture and how the Dutch perceive themselves.

COURSE OBJECTIVE
In the course ‘Discover (the) Dutch: Dutch Language and Culture’, you will learn to speak and understand the Dutch language at a basic level , CEFR A1. At the end of this course y ou will be able to join a basic conversation, us ing general expressions and basic sentences. For example, you will be able to meet and greet in Dutch , order a meal or a drink in the campus pub, go shopping, say whether you like something or someone, which you can practice in real life ! In short, within 15 weeks you will learn to use and understand Dutch for everyday purposes. The cultural part of the course will al low you to learn about the Dutch and their culture within an international context. Besides the esse ntials of Dutch history and culture, you will discover recurrent themes in Dutch history and find out how the natural environment shape d Dutch society and vice versa .

COURSE CONTENT
In this course you will learn to speak and understand the Dutch language at a basic level ( C ommon European Framework of Reference CEFR level A1). The course is very interactive in nature. Part of the lessons will take place in our digital language lab. You will work on your speaking, listening , reading and writing s kills, including vocabulary, pronunciation and gra mm ar. During classes you will use video, audio and computer software . And of course, you will practice a lot in small groups, which is a fun and effective way to try your newly learnt sentences. At home you prepare for the classes online, to ensure you know the vocabulary needed to perform the tasks in class . After class you practice online what you discovered in class . NT2 (DSL) 1 lecturers teach our language classes and will personall y guide you through the programme .

This is not only a language course, you will also learn about Dutch culture and society. In this part of the course you will explore some of the highlights of Dutch history and culture: what was so special about that famous Dutch 'Golden Age' and have the Dutch really always battled against the water? We will also discuss the stereotypes that exist about the Netherlands and Dutch culture and place them within a historical context. Some of the stereotypes you may have had before starting the course, considering the tolerant and liberal attitude towards drugs, sexuality and immigration in the Netherlands, might be in need of some serious revaluation afterwards!

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Tests, assignments, presentations