Welcome to Koentact’s Dutch B1 courses! These courses are perfect for independent users who want to speak Dutch with more confidence in real-life situations. At Koentact, our friendly teachers help you go beyond the basics with fun, social, and interactive classes.
Whether you already feel comfortable having simple conversations or want to express your ideas more clearly, you’ll always find a course that matches your level and helps you move forward.
At B1 level, you move beyond the basics and start using Dutch more independently. You learn how to express your ideas more clearly, share opinions, and handle a wider range of real-life situations.
For example, you can have deeper conversations about your experiences, discuss topics like work or culture, and explain your point of view. Step by step, you become more confident in longer conversations and less predictable situations.
Curious how long it takes to reach B1? Click here to find out!
At Koentact, you build this independence through Dutch Challenge 1, 2, and 3. Together, these courses help you communicate more naturally and feel at home in Dutch conversations.
At Koentact, we offer three course levels for CEFR B1 so that you can progress step by step and with confidence. B1 is the independent level, where you learn to communicate more freely in Dutch and handle a wider range of everyday situations. At this stage, you can express your opinions, share experiences, and keep conversations going on familiar topics.
Dutch Challenge 1 (B1.1) covers the first part of B1.
Dutch Challenge 2 (B1.2) covers the second part of B1.
Dutch Challenge 3 (B1.3) covers the final part of B1.
Together, these courses help you become a more confident and independent Dutch speaker. As a result, you’ll feel more comfortable joining conversations, sharing your ideas, and expressing yourself in everyday life.
Evening courses are great for students who work during the day.
Classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 19:00 to 21:30.
Online evening courses are perfect for students who are based outside of Amsterdam, or who simply prefer learning from home.
Classes take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 19:00 to 21:30.
The Intensive Week is great for students who want to progress fast. In fact, you can complete level A1 in one week.
Classes take place from Monday to Saturday, from 09:30 to 15:45.
Click on the level for more information.
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 …
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 Challenge 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 Challenge 2 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).
In this table, you can clearly see how answers about your home and where you live become more detailed as your Dutch improves. Click on the tabs to see how the sentences become longer and more detailed as your Dutch improves.
🏠 Waar woon je?
Ik woon net buiten het centrum van Amsterdam. Ik heb een knus appartementje in de Rivierenbuurt.
🏡 Kun je jouw huis beschrijven?
Ik woon in een mooi appartement met een grote woonkamer en twee slaapkamers. Het heeft een open keuken en vanaf het balkon heb ik uitzicht op een parkje.
❤️ Wat vind je van je huis en waarom?
Ik ben heel blij met mijn huis, omdat ik me er thuis voel. Na een lange werkdag ben ik blij om thuis te komen en met mijn kat te knuffelen.
🌆 Wat vind je van de buurt en waarom?
Ik vind het een gezellige buurt, omdat er altijd wat te doen is. Het is ook een sociale buurt, dus er is veel contact tussen de buren.
Have you already learned some Dutch? Maybe you’ve completed A2, taken a course before, or practiced Dutch at work or in daily life. You might already be able to hold simple conversations, but you’re not sure if B1 is the right next step.
In that case, our level assessment helps you find the course that truly fits you. We look at your speaking, listening, and overall communication so you can join a group that matches your level and goals.
Curious how it works?
Ready to start speaking Dutch and meet new people at the same time? Join a course and experience our fun, social Field Trips.
The time it takes to reach B1 Dutch depends on your starting level, study intensity, and how often you use Dutch in daily life. Most learners reach B1 after completing A1 and A2 and gaining plenty of speaking practice along the way.
At Koentact, students who start as complete beginners can reach B1 after completing seven course levels. Depending on the course schedule you choose and the level of commitment, it is possible to achieve B1 within one year.
At B1 level, you can participate in conversations about familiar topics, express your opinions, and handle many situations at work and in everyday life. Consistent practice is often more important than studying large amounts in a short period. The more Dutch you use outside the classroom, the faster your progress is likely to be.
A B1, Dutch level allows you to communicate independently in many everyday situations. You can have conversations with Dutch colleagues, neighbours, and friends, understand the main points of spoken and written Dutch, and explain your ideas in a clear way.
At this level, you can usually participate in meetings on familiar topics, write simple emails, and manage practical situations without constantly switching to English. You may still make mistakes, but you can generally keep a conversation going.
Many learners see B1 as an important milestone because it helps them feel more connected to life in the Netherlands and more confident speaking Dutch in real-life situations.
For many jobs, B1 Dutch is a solid starting point. It allows you to communicate with colleagues, participate in workplace conversations, and handle many day-to-day tasks in Dutch.
However, the required Dutch level depends on the job. International companies may not require Dutch at all, while customer-facing roles, healthcare positions, education, and government jobs often require a higher level such as B2 or above.
Even if Dutch is not a formal requirement, reaching B1 can significantly improve your career opportunities and help you integrate into the workplace. It shows employers that you can communicate independently and are committed to building your life in the Netherlands.
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