At Koentact, we help you learn Dutch at the level that fits you best. But how do you know what level you’re at? Here, we explain the CEFR/ERK levels, from beginner to advanced, so you know exactly where to start, and how fast you can progress.
The most common way to describe language skills in Europe is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR/ERK).
It’s a guideline used across Europe to describe language levels, and it works for all languages, including Dutch!
The CEFR framework has six levels, grouped into three main categories:
The table below shows the CEFR Dutch levels and how they match Koentact’s Dutch courses.
You’ll see what you will learn at each level and which course fits you best.
| CEFR level | Koentact course level | Entry requirements | After completing this course you can… | Grammar & vocabulary | Cultural insights | Chapters covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1.1 | Dutch Experience 1 | Very basic knowledge of Dutch or none; cannot form full sentences yet |
• Introduce yourself and others • Start a conversation • Ask & answer questions about yourself and others • Talk about favourite movie, book, or food • Describe family & friends • Make an appointment with a friend • Order at a bar • Buy at a market • Talk about eating/drinking habits • Count and spell in Dutch |
• A1 grammar: Present tense verbs • Vocabulary: countries, languages, nationalities, drinks, family, looks, time, days, months, seasons |
Dutch customs: making appointments, cafés, eating/drinking habits | Nederlands in Gang, chapters 1–5 |
| A1.2 | Dutch Experience 2 | Can introduce yourself and others; ask & answer questions about yourself, family, possessions; talk about time; make appointments; order/buy; understand familiar expressions; comfortable in present tense |
• Order at a restaurant • Give opinions about food • Basic conversation in a clothes shop (buy/exchange) • Compare things • Describe your home and ask about others’ homes • Describe positions of objects (e.g., ‘Het boek ligt op tafel.’) • Visit the doctor, explain problems & understand advice • Talk about past actions |
• A1 grammar: Present & perfectum (past) verbs • Vocabulary: restaurants, food, fashion, colors, homes, prepositions of place, body & physical problems |
Dutch customs: restaurants, GP visits, house hunting | Nederlands in Gang, chapters 6–9 |
| A2.1 | Dutch Experience 3 | Can use basic Dutch in familiar everyday situations; can form simple sentences; know basic grammar |
• Take part in simple conversations about daily life • Discuss hobbies, work, studies • Make simple plans • Ask for and give directions • Describe people, places, and events |
• A2 grammar: Present, perfectum, and modal verbs • Vocabulary: work, hobbies, travel, shopping, personal experiences |
Dutch customs: social interactions, local events | Nederlands in Gang, chapters 10–13 |
| A2.2 | Dutch Experience 4 | Can handle simple everyday situations; can express needs and opinions in familiar contexts; can use simple sentences |
• Have a conversation on familiar topics • Talk about routines and personal experiences • Give simple descriptions of people, places, and objects • Express preferences and opinions |
• A2 grammar: Present, perfectum, and simple future verbs • Vocabulary: daily routines, personal experiences, common activities |
Dutch customs: informal social interactions, daily routines, cultural habits | Nederlands in Gang, chapters 14–18 |
| A2 | Dutch Intermediate Conversation | Can communicate in simple everyday situations; can express opinions; comfortable with basic grammar; ready to practice conversational Dutch |
• Participate in extended conversations about daily life and familiar topics • Give opinions and explanations • Narrate past events and experiences • Ask for and give advice |
• A2 grammar: Present, perfectum, future, and basic imperfectum • Vocabulary: work, study, hobbies, social life, news, personal experiences |
Dutch customs: socializing, workplace communication, local culture | |
| B1.1 | Dutch Challenge 1 | Can manage daily life conversations; can narrate simple events; comfortable with A2 grammar |
• Discuss personal experiences and current events • Give and justify opinions • Understand and retell short stories or news items • Handle phone calls and appointments |
• B1 grammar: Present, perfectum, future, and basic imperfectum • Vocabulary: news, work, studies, hobbies, travel, shopping |
Dutch customs: social etiquette, workplace interactions, local news | Nederlands in Actie, chapters 1–4 (up to page 135) |
| B1.2 | Dutch Challenge 2 | Can participate in most daily conversations; understand more complex sentences; comfortable with B1 grammar |
• Express opinions on familiar topics • Give advice or instructions • Understand simple articles and reports • Share experiences in past, present, and future contexts |
• B1 grammar: imperfectum, perfectum, modals, complex sentence connectors • Vocabulary: work, studies, culture, news, personal reflections |
Dutch customs: discussing news, cultural norms, work-life communication | Nederlands in Actie, chapters 5–7 |
| B1.3 | Dutch Challenge 3 | Can communicate with some confidence in most social and work situations; ready for higher-level comprehension |
• Discuss abstract topics • Understand longer texts and conversations • Debate and explain viewpoints • Use Dutch flexibly in social & work contexts |
• B1+ grammar: subordinate clauses, relative pronouns, idiomatic expressions • Vocabulary: abstract concepts, culture, social issues |
Dutch customs: debates, professional etiquette, social norms | Nederlands in Actie, chapters 8–11 |
| B1 | Advanced Conversation | Can communicate effectively in work and social life; understands most spoken Dutch; comfortable with B1+ grammar |
• Discuss complex topics fluently • Understand and summarize articles and news • Participate actively in debates • Give presentations and explanations |
• B2 grammar: passive, complex clauses, idioms, nuance • Vocabulary: abstract ideas, professional language, media |
Dutch customs: professional communication, cultural nuance, formal & informal settings | |
| B2.1 | Dutch Deli 1 | Can communicate confidently in social situations; understands complex sentences; ready for advanced conversation |
• Engage in fluent conversations • Understand media content and news • Explain opinions and experiences clearly |
• B2 grammar: passive, indirect speech, connectors, idioms • Vocabulary: professional contexts, culture, society |
Dutch customs: social & professional etiquette, current affairs, media understanding | Nederlands op Niveau, chapters 1–3 |
| B2.2 | Dutch Deli 2 | Can handle most work & social situations; understands complex written and spoken Dutch |
• Discuss abstract and professional topics • Read and summarize reports • Express opinions with nuance |
• B2 grammar: subordinate clauses, advanced connectors, idioms • Vocabulary: professional and academic topics |
Dutch customs: professional & social conventions, Dutch media | Nederlands op Niveau, chapters 4–5 |
| B2.3 | Dutch Deli 3 | Can communicate effectively in any social or professional setting; understands nuances; ready for advanced fluency |
• Participate in professional discussions • Read and interpret media & reports • Express subtle opinions and abstract ideas |
• B2+ grammar: full mastery of complex structures • Vocabulary: specialized, professional, and cultural terms |
Dutch customs: workplace, media, culture, societal debates | Nederlands op Niveau, chapters 5–6, reviewing chapters 1–4 |
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.
At A1 level, you start building the foundations of Dutch. You learn how to communicate in simple, everyday situations and get comfortable hearing and using Dutch for the first time.
This level is perfect if you want to:
Koentact courses at A1 level:
You can join these levels in the following courses:
➡️ In-person evening course
➡️ Online evening course
➡️ In-person morning course
➡️ Intensive week
At B1 level, you become an independent Dutch speaker. You can express opinions, talk about experiences, and actively participate in conversations, both socially and at work.
You’re able to:
Koentact courses at this level:
You can join these levels in the following courses:
➡️ In-person evening course
➡️ Online evening course
➡️ Intensive week
At A2 level, you build on your basic Dutch and start speaking with more confidence. You can handle more situations independently and take part in short conversations about familiar topics.
This level is perfect if you want to:
Koentact courses at A2 level:
You can join these levels in the following courses:
➡️ In-person evening course
➡️ Online evening course
➡️ In-person morning course
➡️ Intensive week
At B2 level, you communicate fluently and naturally in Dutch. You understand nuance, follow discussions easily, and express yourself clearly in both social and professional situations.
This level is ideal if you:
Koentact courses at this level:
You can join these levels in the following course:
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