FAQ

In order to join the course of Dutch Experience 1, you need to have a very basic knowledge of Dutch at most. This course level is also accessible if you don’t speak any Dutch yet! You cannot form full sentences yet, and you still need to learn the very basics of Dutch grammar.

After completing Dutch Experience 1 you are able to …
• introduce yourself and others in Dutch
• start a conversation in Dutch
• ask and answer questions about yourself and others, such as where you live, where you are from, people you know
• talk about your favourite movie, book or food
• describe your family and friends
• make an appointment with a friend
• order something at a bar
• buy something at a market
• talk about eating and drinking habits
• count and spell in Dutch

After completing Dutch Experience 1 you know …
• how to use the present verb tense In Dutch
• basic vocabulary regarding the following themes: countries, languages, nationalities, drinks, family, looks, time, days, months, seasons
• about Dutch customs with regards to making an appointment, cafés and eating/drinking

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Gang’ chapter 1 through 5.

After completing Dutch Experience 1 your level of Dutch is A1- according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

In order to join the Dutch Experience 2 course, you need to be able to introduce yourself and others in Dutch, as well as ask and answer questions about yourself, such as where you live, people you know, and things you own. You can talk about your family, tell time, make an appointment, buy something at a market and order something at a bar. You can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases to satisfy concrete needs. Grammatical proficiency: you are comfortable in using only the present tense.

After completing Dutch Experience 2 you are able to …
• order something at a restaurant
• give your opinion about food
• have a basic conversation in clothes shop regarding buying or exchanging clothes
• compare things
• describe your home to others and inquire after other people’s homes
• describe the positions of things/where things are (e.g. ‘Het boek ligt op tafel.’)
• visit the doctor (GP), explain your physical problems and understand the doctor’s advice
• talk about actions in the past such as what you did last weekend (e.g ‘Ik heb dit weekend mijn huiswerk gedaan.’)

After completing Dutch Experience 2 you know …
• how to use the perfectum past tense
• basic vocabulary regarding the following themes: restaurants, food, fashion, colors, homes and housing, prepositions of place, the body and physical problems
• about Dutch customs with regards to restaurants, GP consulting, house hunting.

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Gang’ chapter 6 through 9.

After completing Dutch Experience 2 your level of Dutch is A1+ according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

In order to join the Dutch Experience 3 course, you have to be able to interact in a simple way, provided the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help out. You can participate in basic Dutch conversations while shopping, about your home or visiting the doctor. You can tell an uncomplicated story, talk about your past and write a simple email and/or letter. Grammatical proficiency: you are comfortable using the present and perfectum past tense.

After completing Dutch Experience 3 you are able to …
• have your bike repaired at the bicycle repair shop and explain what is wrong with it
• talk about situations in the past such as what you/your life used to be like (e.g. ‘Vroeger ging ik altijd naar Frankrijk op vakantie.’)
• describe your job, education, and hobbies, and enquire after other people’s job, education and hobbies.
• congratulate someone on their birthday, their new job, their new home, etc.
• ask for and give directions
• express your opinion briefly and enquire after the other people’s opinions
• make small talk or chitchat
• make a promise

After completing Dutch Experience 3 you know…
• how to use the imperfectum past tense.
• vocabulary regarding the following themes: bikes, jobs, education & hobbies, public transport, maps, and directions.
• Dutch customs regarding public transport, small talk, and visiting friends.

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Gang’ chapter 10 through 13.

After completing Dutch Experience 3 your level of Dutch is A2- according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

In order to join Dutch Experience 4, you need to be able to interact in a simple way and keep the conversation going with help. You can participate in basic Dutch conversations relating to being helped at the bike shop, asking for and giving directions, talking about your job and education, expressing your opinion and making small talk. Grammatical proficiency: you are comfortable using the present tense, perfectum (‘Ik heb dit weekend mijn huiswerk gedaan.’) and imperfectum past tense (‘Vroeger ging ik altijd op vakantie naar Frankrijk.’).

After completing Dutch Experience 4 you are able to …
• talk about sports
• politely ask for information
• talk about your plans for the rest of the day, for tomorrow, for the rest of the week and in the far future
• enquire after the other people’s future plans
• ask and give advice
• go to the cinema (buy a ticket, understand and give information about the movies)
• talk about a trip or your travels
• describe what you see
• describe what someone is doing
• talk about your daily routine
• write a postcard from your holiday address
• make a phone call

After completing Dutch Experience 4 you know…
• how to use more complicated sentences in Dutch (subordinate phrases, using words like because, while, even though, afterward, as soon as, if, etc.).
• how to use ‘zullen’, ‘gaan’ and the present tense to talk about the future.
• vocabulary regarding the following themes: landscape, cinema, at the gym, on the train, daily routines at home.
• about Dutch customs regarding sports, going to the cinema and daily life at home.

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Gang’ chapter 14 through 18.

After completing Dutch Experience 4 your Dutch level will be A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

To join the Intermediate Conversation course, you need to have a well-rounded basic vocabulary: you can describe what you did and have done, go shopping in Dutch, have simple discussions, and present your arguments. You can communicate clearly on family, hobbies, past experiences and take part in routine conversations.

Grammatical proficiency: you know your past tenses, reflexive and separable verbs and you are starting to use subordinate phrases (with conjunctions).

In Intermediate Conversation, we are going to expand your conversational A2 level skills. This course will help you feel more confident using the A2 grammar and it’s fun because lessons are completely focused on conversations, discussions, competitions, arguments, opinions, etc. while recapping the grammar in short.

After completing the Intermediate Conversation you are able to…

• have basic conversations, discussions, competitions, and arguments
• express your opinion on a variety of fun conversation topics
• speak with more confidence and fluency

After completing the Intermediate Conversation course you know…

• how to use more complicated sentences in Dutch (subordinate phrases, using words like because, while, even though, afterward, as soon as, if, etc.)
• how to use the past tense correctly
• new separable verbs and how to use them in different sentences
• a lot of new vocabulary

Course structure
The main focus in this course is speaking/conversation and expanding your vocabulary. Refreshing A2 grammar is part of this course but will be done mostly as homework. At the beginning of each class we will revise (a part of) the homework and the teacher will answer questions and explain if necessary. Expect each class therefore to be 80% conversation and 20% grammar (usually the first half-hour of class).

There is no book for this course, the expected known grammar is on level A2 (for example you completed ‘Nederlands in Gang’).

After completing the Intermediate Conversation course your Dutch level will be A2+ according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

To be able to join the Dutch Challenge 1 course, you need to have already developed a well-rounded basic vocabulary: you can describe what you see, go to the cinema, hold a telephone conversation, and read a simple letter from a public body. You can communicate clearly while performing simple and routine tasks that require a direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. You can describe aspects of your background, and immediate environment, and satisfy your immediate needs in simple terms. Grammatical proficiency: you are starting to use subordinate phrases.

After completing Dutch Challenge 1 you are able to …
• ave deeper personal conversations about people’s interests and background
• have a personal email contact in Dutch
• book a holiday (hotel, apartment, plane tickets, etc.)
• survive in a dutch airport
• understand the weather forecast on the radio and tv
• be polite in asking questions
• discuss food, health, and lifestyle
• have conversations about traditions and cultures

After completing Dutch Challenge 1 you know …
• how to use more complicated sentence structures (for example: “If I had a million euros, I would spend it all in one week.”), the use of om+te, indirect speech (formal questioning), and more uses of ‘zouden’
• vocabulary regarding the following themes: your identity, personal information, health, lifestyle, food, traditions, culture, and traveling

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Actie’ chapters 1 through 4 (up to page 135). Edition 4 – 2022.

After completing Dutch Experience 1 your level of Dutch is B1- according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

In order to join the Dutch Challenge 2 course, you should be able to understand Dutch sentences and frequently-used Dutch expressions related to immediately relevant topics (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). You can give a presentation about a hobby or interest. You can present your point of view on a non-complex topic and can read the newspaper or watch a simple Dutch television show.

After completing Dutch Challenge 2 you are able to …
• write a letter of motivation and participate in a job interview
• express emotions and react appropriately to other people’s emotions (for example phrases like “I’m sorry, that is such bad news, please know that I’m there for you”, or “That’s wonderful, I am so happy for you!”)
• talk about jobs, your career
• discuss the pros and cons of an idea or plan
• understand the Dutch educational system
• talk about language acquisition
• speak about your experiences and history regarding learning Dutch

After completing Dutch Challenge 2 you know …
• the rules for grammatical topics like relative pronouns
• vocabulary regarding the following themes: career, education, language acquisition, emotions

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Actie’ chapters 5 through 7, Edition 4 – 2022.

After completing Dutch Experience 1 your level of Dutch is B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

To join the Dutch Challenge 3 course, you should be able to understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. You are able to deal with most situations likely to arise when traveling in an area where the Dutch language is spoken. You can produce simple, connected text on topics that are familiar to you, or in which you take a personal interest. You can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and briefly, explain your viewpoints and the incentives behind your plans.

After completing Dutch Challenge 3 you are able to …
• discuss sustainability and the environment, climate, and impact
• write a blog
• discuss personal relations
• talk ‘tikkie’ and other financial conversations
• understand and participate in discussions about social topics like the economy
• complain about a service or product online
• review a book, movie, or piece of art
• participate in a discussion about more complicated topics that are related to your own interests

After completing Dutch Challenge 3 you know …
• how to use the famous ‘er’, more ‘zouden’, and passive constructions (like “The letter is being read.”, “He has been asked to give a presentation.”) etc.
• vocabulary regarding the following themes: sustainability, economy, personal relationships, economics, and art.

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Actie’ chapters 8 through 11, Edition 4 – 2022.

After completing Dutch Challenge 3 your level of Dutch is B1+ according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

To be able to join the Advanced Conversation course, you need to have a well-rounded vocabulary that includes topics such as work, holidays & travel, education, feelings, economics, and art & literature. You are able to use this vocabulary to express your own thoughts and experiences about these topics and inquire after others’ experiences, discuss them a bit more in-depth and respond appropriately in a discussion.

Grammatical proficiency: you know your past tenses, reflexive and separable verbs, relative pronouns, passive voice, ‘er’, and use subordinate clauses (with ‘omdat’ or ‘als’), all with some room for errors.

In Advanced Conversation, we are going to expand your conversational B1 level skills. This course will help you feel more confident using B1 grammar and it’s fun because lessons are completely focused on conversations, discussions, arguments, opinions, etc. while recapping some important grammar topics.

After completing the Advanced Conversation course are able to…
• talk about the history of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and your own country.
• talk about work life in the Netherlands.
• talk about the environment and how to contribute to a better environment.
• talk about eating out in the Netherlands compared to your country.
• use more Dutch expressions.
• better use ‘er’, relative clauses, subordinate clauses, passive voice, zou/zouden and reported speech to talk about the above topics.

After the course, you will feel confident in more abstract and complex conversations and discussions. You will be better able to express your opinions and thoughts about more abstract ideas.

There is no book for this course, the expected known grammar is on level B1 (for example you completed ‘Nederlands in Actie’).

After completing the Advanced Conversation course your Dutch level will be B1+ according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

In order to join the course of Dutch Deli 1, you need to be able to discuss your own and other people’s feelings and relationships, using idiomatic expressions and structures like “He tells many jokes that make her laugh her head off.” You have started to use constructions like “with whom”, “in which” and the magic word ‘er’ in daily life. You can discuss economics, statistics and money matters and you understand newspaper articles in which passive sentences are used. You know some basics about famous Dutch artworks and can give a presentation about your favorite Dutch painting or book.

After completing Dutch Deli 1 you are able to …

• describe a person’s positive characteristics
• tell people about your hero
• compliment people on their actions/appearance
• react spontaneously in a positive or negative way
• make small talk with people (to avoid awkward silences)
• give your opinion on (unwritten) cultural rules
• express your negative feelings using strong language
• discuss social/political issues like gender roles
• use complex idiomatic expressions like ‘te allen tijde’
• understand and participate in a debate about a social/political issue
•  use ‘structure words’ that help your readers/audience of your essays or presentations

After completing Dutch Deli 1 you know …

• all about a change in word order when using words like ‘doordat’ as opposed to ‘daardoor’
• all about word order in complex sentences with conjunctions like ‘aangezien’ and ‘tenzij’
• how to describe things/people/places by using relative subclauses
• how to use modal verbs in passive sentences
• how to use ‘er’ in (passive) sentences
• how to combine ‘er’ with verbs and prepositions

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands op Niveau’ chapter 1 through 3.

After completing Dutch Deli 1 your level of Dutch is B2- according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

In order to join the course of Dutch Deli 2, you need to preferably use Dutch on a daily basis. You speak and write Dutch at work, in the street, and in your free time. You have taken up using idiomatic expressions to spice up your Dutch and are able to give a presentation and write an essay on a topic of your (work-related) interest.

After completing Dutch Deli 2 you are able to:

• discuss (inter)national cultural differences, stereotypes, and integration issues
• describe statistical figures like charts, diagrams, and graphs
• discuss social/academic/political statements, using multiple arguments and ‘structure words’
• talk about what would happen if a situation were different  (‘Wat zou je doen als …?’)
• talk about things that didn’t happen in the past and their imaginary results (3rd conditional in English) 
• talk about inventions and their function (with relative pronouns)
• discuss books you read that are special to you and why 

After completing Dutch Deli 2 you know:

• how to use ‘er’ referring forward to a subclause (‘Ik houd ervan dat Amsterdammers veel fietsen’
• the proper past tense for every occasion
• how to talk about events in the past that happened before another event in the past (plusquamperfectum)
• the difference between the conjunctions toen/nadat/als/wanneer and their effect on verb tenses
• how to use ‘zou(den)’ for imaginary situations, rumors and advising people
• more new vocab and idiomatic expressions like ‘fatsoenlijk’ and ‘ tot stand komen’
• everything about relative pronouns like ‘dat, ‘wat’, ‘die’, ‘op wie’ and ‘waarmee’
• the difference between alleen/maar/enige and iedereen/allemaal/alle

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands op Niveau’ chapters 4 and 5 (parts of).

After completing Dutch Deli 2 your level of Dutch is B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

In order to join the course of Dutch Deli 3, you need to preferably use Dutch on a daily basis. Sounding more and more like a native speaker, you speak and write Dutch at work, in the street, and in your free time. You enjoy using idiomatic expressions to spice up your Dutch, can explain why the Dutch do things differently, and are able to give a presentation and write an essay on both familiar and new topics.

After completing Dutch Deli 3 you are able to …

• remind someone of promises they made before 
• use one or more idiomatic expression(s) in complex sentences like ‘Het baart me zorgen dat fietsende kinderen worden blootgesteld aan onveilige verkeerssituaties.’
• advise people on social / political / personal / ideological matters, like a more sustainable lifestyle
• debate about a political / news-related topic
• speak, listen to, read, and write Dutch at an academic level

After completing Dutch Deli 3 you know … 

• the difference between moeten/ hoeven and kennen/weten better.
• you master ‘er’, ‘daar’ and ‘hier’ combined with prepositions
• all about separable verbs combined with a fixed preposition, with and without ‘er’, like ‘Ik kijk al dagen uit naar het feest’ or ‘Ik kijk er al dagen naar uit’
• all about separable verbs combined with a preposition and reflexive pronoun with and without ‘er, like ‘Ik bereid me op het examen voor’ en ‘Ik bereid me er grondig op voor’
• • how to combine the perfectum with modal verbs

The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands op Niveau’ chapters 5 (parts of) and 6 along with reviewing some of chapter 1-4.

After completing Dutch Deli 3 your level of Dutch is B2+ according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

The books can be purchased at Xantippe Unlimited (Prinsengracht 290), in other book stores in Amsterdam or online. For Dutch Experience 1-4 we use: “Nederlands in Gang: Methode NT2 voor hoogopgeleiden”, Berna de Boer, Margaret van der Kamp, Birgit Lijmbach. For Dutch Challenge 1-3 we use: “Nederlands in actie: Methode NT2 voor hoogopgeleiden”, Berna de Boer, Birgit Lijmbach ISBN. For Dutch Deli 1-3 we use: “Nederlands op niveau: Methode Nederlands voor hoogopgeleide anderstaligen”, Berna de Boer & Ronald Ohlsen.

At the end of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance. The certificate will testify that you have completed the Dutch course (at an attendance of at least 80% of the programme) and have successfully passed the final test. This is not an official language certificate, as only governmental organizations are authorized to issue these.

This happens. As most of our students are very busy and travel extensively, they will probably have to miss one or two lessons. Our teachers start each Dutch lesson with a review of what has been addressed in the previous lesson. They also work with PowerPoint, and will make sure any absent students will receive the PowerPoint material of the lesson missed. In addition, you can contact us for private courses in order to recap anything you have missed.

Koentact is very easy to reach by trams 7, 10, and 17, as well as by busses 170 and 172. You get off at “Elandsgracht”. From there, it is a 3 minute walk to Elandsgracht 70. The destination will be on the left. If you come by car, there is a parking garage on Nassaukade 300, which is a 5 minute walk from our office.

Koentact offers a package deal for students who pay for three courses at once. The package deal offers a €40 discount per course. (Total discount is €120.) If a student wants to use the package deal the course fee for all 3 courses needs to be paid in full before the start of the first course. The Student is eligible to follow the 3 courses within 1 year (or 8 sessions) after starting his or her first course. After 1 year the right to follow any courses under the package deal becomes void. Once the Student attends the first class of the first course, cancellation is only possible under term 5.4 of these Terms & Conditions.

Koentact does not service visa requests, work permits and any other governmental documents.

www.iamexpat.nl

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Koentact offers various semi-intensive Dutch language courses (31 hours in 5 weeks), including two ‘out-of-the-classroom’ sessions with native Dutch speakers. Koentact’s young and energetic teachers focus on a practical approach towards mastering the Dutch language. Located at the heart of the Jordan Area, Koentact is dedicated to connecting expats and locals. In addition to group courses, Koentact also offers specialised private courses completely tailored to the participant’s needs and corporate packages for both the Dutch and English languages. Now that you’re here, feel free to have a look at the rest of our website! ‘You guys make learning Dutch a hobby!’