At Koentact, we offer Dutch language courses for every level – whether you’re just starting to learn Dutch or already speaking at an advanced level. Our course structure is designed to help you build your Dutch skills step by step, with a focus on real-life conversations, cultural experiences, and personal connection.
From our Dutch Experience courses for beginners to the Dutch Challenge and Dutch Deli programs for intermediate and advanced learners, each level is tailored to your current skills and goals. All our courses are based on the CEFR levels (A0 to B2), so you always know exactly where you stand – and what’s next.
Explore our Dutch language levels below to find the perfect course for you. Not sure which level fits best? You can get your level assessed online or during an Open Day, and we’ll help you choose the right one!
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.
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 A1.1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
After completing Dutch Experience 1 you are able to …
After completing Dutch Experience 1 you know …
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.
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 A1.2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
After completing Dutch Experience 2 you are able to …
After completing Dutch Experience 2 you know …
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.
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 A2.1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
After completing Dutch Experience 3 you are able to …
After completing Dutch Experience 3 you know…
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.’).
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).
After completing Dutch Experience 4 you are able to …
After completing Dutch Experience 4 you know…
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.
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).
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…
After completing the Intermediate Conversation course you know…
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).
If you’re not a complete beginner and want to join Koentact for a higher level, we’ll assess your current level before the start of the course.
Curious what that’s like? Read our blog about the language assessment.
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.
The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Actie’ chapters 1 through 4 (up to page 135).
After completing Dutch Challenge 1 your level of Dutch is B1.1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
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
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.
The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Actie’ chapters 5 through 7.
After completing Dutch Challenge 2 your level of Dutch is B1.2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
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
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.
The chapters that are covered in this course are ‘Nederlands in Actie’ chapters 8 through 11.
After completing Dutch Challenge 3 your level of Dutch is B1.3 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
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.
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.
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).
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…
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.
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.
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 B2.1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
After completing Dutch Deli 1 you are able to …
After completing Dutch Deli 1 you know …
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.
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 B2.2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
After completing Dutch Deli 2 you are able to:
After completing Dutch Deli 2 you know:
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.
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 B2.3 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
After completing Dutch Deli 3 you are able to …
After completing Dutch Deli 3 you know …
