Course

Dutch language course (German speakers)

From the very first group lesson an experienced teacher will help you to build your vocabulary and understand how the language works. The course focuses on speaking and listening skills. Reading and writing are supporting skills that you mainly practice at home. Additional work on grammar, as well as reading and writing skills, will support you in the language learning process. Your teacher is a native speaker, and the group lessons will be conducted in Dutch. Instructions will only be given in English if it's absolutely necessary.

Fast facts

From beginners to proficiency level
English CEFR level B1 is a requirement
14 sessions of 2 hours
Groups of about 12-14 students
Starts 4 times per year
4 hours of independent study preparation per lesson
Certificate

Improve your Dutch Course dates and registration

For available times for the courses below and the Intensive course NL-A2 please see the course dates and registration form. The registration form shows the currently available groups.

Quick links:

Note! These are the new prices for courses starting in 2024.

UM-Students: € 300 per module,
UM staff, alumni and MUMC staff:
€ 475 per module
Non-UM participants: € 605 per module.

Course material is not included in the course fee.

Reference levels according to the CEFR:

Elementary: NL-A2 for German speakers
Intermediate: NL-B1 for German speakers
Upper intermediate: NL-B2 for German speakers*
Advanced: NL-C1^minus
Advanced: Dutch C1

(Level of the State Exam Dutch as a Second Language, Programme II: B2.)

Intensive beginners course NL-A2 (Dutch German speakers)

During this three-week intensive course, you will be spending the better part of every day learning Dutch. Daily lessons last two hours, and are accompanied by four hours of preparation and independent study. You will be following lessons along with 12 to 14 other participants.The intensive course is offered only in January and August.

Course material NL-A2 for German speakers:

In de startblokken (ISBN: 9789046906620)

Dutch A2 (NL-A2 for German speakers)

This course is for people with no prior knowledge of Dutch. An intake is not necessary. Please note that you will need to invest a minimum of four hours per lesson for independent study. This course represents 3 ECTS.

In this course, you will improve your ability to:

conduct simple conversations about daily activities;
share your opinion and talk about the past;
talk about the weather;
ask for and give directions;
make reservations over the phone and rent a room or an apartment.

Course material:

In de startblokken (ISBN: 9789046906620)

Certificate A2: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Dutch B1 (NL-B1 for German speakers)

An intake is necessary when you do not have a A2 certificate.

Once you've completed this course, you will be able to:

prepare and participate in discussions;
give presentations about a current topic;
share your opinion;
talk about architecture, hstory, traffic and transport, tourism, language and the euregio

The topics during the course are in line with the learning objectives for this advanced level.

Course material: 'Op naar de eindstreep', Nederlands voor Duitstaligen (ISBN: 9789046906767) Coutinho Publishing. Or as e-book, ISBN 9789046968055. For sale at the web shop of the publisher: webstore Coutinho

Certificate B1: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Dutch B2 (NL-B2 for German speakers)

To participate in this advanced B2 course an intake is required when you do not have a B1 certificate.

In this course, you will improve your ability to:

give a clear and well-structured presentation, as well as spontaneously answer questions;
use grammar correctly;
make summaries;
talk about nature and environment, water management, economy and innovation, crime, and health.

After B2^minus and B2 you are advanced enough to take the State Exam Dutch as a Second Language, Programme II, if you like.

Course material: 'Op naar de eindstreep', Nederlands voor Duitstaligen (ISBN: 9789046906767)Coutinho Publishing. Or as e-book, ISBN 9789046968055. For sale at the web shop of the publisher: webstore Coutinho

Certificate B2: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

NB Boost your employability and apply for a free Advanced Dutch language course now. Go to UM Language Centre – Scholarships for more information.

Dutch C1minus and C1

You can join C1min if you have at least level B2. To determine that level, you must first have an intake interview.

In this course, you will improve your:

speaking, reading, listening and writing skills on an academic level.

NL- C1^minus: Nederlands naar perfectie, Emily Palmer & Miranda van 't Wout (ISBN: 9789046904527) Coutinho Publishing, textbook for the group lessons, website for independent study.

Course material: Nederlands naar perfectie (ISBN: 9789046904527) Coutinho Publishing, textbook for the group lesson, website for independent study. Or as e-book, ISBN 9789046962992. For sale at the web shop of the publisher: webstore Coutinho

Certificate C1^minus or C1: Upon completion of the course requirements, you will receive a participation certificate by mail.

Intake

Would you like to meet us for an intake? You can send an e-mail to languages-intake-NL to make an appointment, free of charge. Please already propose in your mail a date and a time when you come to an intake meeting. The appointment will take place at the Maastricht University Language Centre or online. Before your intake you can also test your level yourself by taking this online test: DIALANG.

Please book your intake well before the course is scheduled to begin. This process will make it easier to make the appointment, and more likely that there will still be an available spot in the module that’s right for you.

Before your intake you can also test your level yourself by taking one of these online tests: NUT test or DIALANG.