After you have taken your first steps into exploring the Dutch language, continue your linguistic adventure here!

Course outline

This course builds on Dutch 1 and aims to improve your basic Dutch language skills by integrating speaking, writing, listening and reading skills through a communicative and interactive teaching approach. Grammar patterns and new vocabulary are offered in the context of conversations or real-life situations – giving you ample opportunity to apply what you learn straight away! Along the way, you will also learn more about the culture and customs of Dutch-speaking countries.

Topics covered in this course:

• Week 1. We will brush up on topics and grammar covered in Dutch 1. In the process, we will get to know each other a bit better!
• Weeks 2-3. We will chat about work and free time - including hobbies, routines and activities. We will also discuss likes and dislikes. The grammar focuses are separable verbs (e.g. ‘opstaan’, ‘afwassen’), and past tenses (“Hij heeft gebeld.” vs. “Hij belde om 17 uur.”).
• Weeks 4-5. We will learn how to make plans with friends and how to organise a party. You will be introduced to cultural customs around celebrations, including birthdays, ‘Koningsdag’, and ‘Sinterklaas’. This is also a time for you to get creative and write your own Sinterklaas-poem (a popular cultural custom in the Netherlands). The grammar focuses are making suggestions (‘We kunnen ook …”, “Misschien …”), giving reasons and making excuses (‘want’ and ‘omdat’) and talking about the future using the verb ‘zullen’. 
• Weeks 6bWe will talk about shopping for clothing and other items. We will discuss the features and qualities of products. The grammar focus is on demonstrative pronouns (‘hij-hem’, ‘het-het’, vs. ‘ze-ze’); possessive pronouns (‘mijn’, ‘zijn’, etc.); and comparatives and superlatives (e.g. ‘mooier dan’, ‘het beste’).
• Weeks 7-8. Housing and living will be the main topic. Learn how to describe a place and the things in it. The grammar focuses are on that trickly little word ‘er’, demonstrative pronouns (‘die’, ‘dit’, etc.) and prepositions of place (‘op’, ‘onder’, ‘in’, ‘naast’, etc.).
• Week 9. We will revise everything we have learnt and address any queries you may have. We can also touch upon topics suggested by students in previous weeks.

All course materials will be provided through CCE's online environment. As this is an online delivered course, participants will need to have access to the suitable infrastructure: a PC or Mac computer with a stable internet connection. It is not recommended to access this course via a smart phone.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

• engage in simple conversations about the above topics
• express your opinion on these topics
• write descriptive short texts about these topics
• You will also have developed your Dutch language skills further and have gained a deeper understanding (and hopefully appreciation) of culture and customs.
  

Who should enrol

This course is designed for adults who have previously attended Dutch 1, or for students with a basic knowledge of the Dutch language.

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