Discover the Dutch: Language & Culture

Learn to speak and understand the Dutch language and society at a basic level. At the end of this course you will be able to join a basic conversation, using general expressions and basic sentences. For example, you will be able to meet and greet in Dutch, order a meal or a drink in the campus pub, go shopping, say whether you like something or someone, which you can practice in real life during excursions! In short, within two weeks you will learn to use and understand Dutch for everyday purposes.

The course is very interactive in nature. Part of the lessons will take place in our state of the art digital language lab. You will work on your speaking, pronunciation, listening, reading and writing skills, including vocabulary and grammar. During classes we will work with video, audio and computer software. And of course, you will practice a lot in small groups, which is a fun and effective way to try your newly learnt sentences.

'Discover (the) Dutch' is not only a language course, however. You will also learn about Dutch culture and society. In this part of the course you will explore some of the highlights of Dutch history and culture: what was so special about that famous Dutch 'Golden Age' and have the Dutch really always battled against the water? We will also discuss the stereotypes that exist about the Netherlands and Dutch culture and place them within a historical context. Some of the stereotypes you may have before starting the course, considering the tolerant and liberal attitude towards drugs, sexuality and immigration in the Netherlands, might be in need of some serious revaluation afterwards!

Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course. CEA's recommended credits are based on the contact hours assigned by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam): 15 contact hours equals 1 U.S. credit