For many years, the Volksuniversiteit Den Haag (Institute for Adult Education) has offered courses for foreigners living in The Hague and its surrounding area.

Dutch, as well as French and Spanish (amongst others), is one of the languages spoken in the EU membership countries. The curriculum of Dutch as a foreign language (NT2) consists of five levels. These levels are indicated by codes similar throughout Europe: A1 (level 1), A2 (level 2), B1 (level 3), B2 (level 4) and C1 (level 5). These courses are designed for those who have completed a secondary school education in their country of origin. They are also required to have at least some experience in foreign language acquisition. A basic knowledge of English is required to attend an A1-course.  

Dutch as a foreign language (NT2) is in the same department as the other Modern Foreign Languages. Most courses encompass 36 or 42 teaching hours.
— standard, 24 weeks, 1 lesson per week of 1,5 hours;
— intensive, 14 weeks, 1 lesson per week of 3 hours;
— extra intensive, 7 weeks, 2 lessons per week of 3 hours.

The lessons focus on everyday language and its characteristics like listening, speaking, reading and writing. During the classes, you will listen to spoken Dutch on cd, read different types of texts, practise conversation and study the basic grammar rules and spelling.
Knowledge of the Dutch culture is also a substantial part of the course as it will help you adjust to and understand the Dutch way of life.

In order to successfully complete the course, it is necessary to do your homework and assignments for each next lesson (three hours per week in a regular course, six hours per week in an intensive course). If you attended at least 80% of the classes, you will be tested at the end of the course in order to determine the required level.
When the results are adequate, you will receive a certificate of the Volksuniversiteit. This is, however, not an official diploma but it will give you access to the next level.
Without a certificate, it is only possible to start on a higher level after an oral intake test. You can make an appointment for a test through our secretariat.

You can find an English enrolment form in the English menu on the Home page. You can also enrol online by going to Talen (languages) / Nederlands (Dutch) / Nederlands 1 / and from the course details click on toevoegen aan mijn inschrijfformulier (add to my enrolment form). The rest of the registration will be bilingual.

Dutch 1 (beginners, level A1)

This course is intended for those with little or no knowledge of Dutch. The emphasis is on the use of everyday Dutch. The homework you have to do for every lesson aims at: doing exercises, learning vocabulary and reading short texts.

At the end of the course you will be able to understand and speak Dutch on a basic level.

Course materials

Contact! 1 tekstboek + 2 audio cd’s, ISBN 9789460301346 (€ 31,50), uitg. Intertaal.
Contact! 1 werkboek + 3 audio cd’s, ISBN 9789460301353 (€ 26,25), uitg. Intertaal.
Beginners, level A1: chapters 1-6. (First half)      
 

Dutch 1 (beginners A1 extra intensive)  day course!

13-271 -teachers: Mrs. drs. A.M. (Ghiti) Brinkman & drs. A.N. (Nico)

Langeweg -time: Wednesday and Friday 9.15-12.30 hrs (15 min. break) -

dates: 3-5-10-12-17-19-24-26-31 Jul, 2-7-9-14-16 Aug -format: 14 lessons

(2 lessons per week) -location: Van Alkemadelaan 1 -participants: 8-15

-course fee: € 325,-

Dutch 1 (beginners A1 extra intensive)

13-272 -teachers: Mrs. drs. A.M. (Ghiti) Brinkman & drs. A.N. (Nico)

Langeweg -time: Tuesday and Thursday 18.00-21.15 hrs (15 min. break)

-dates: 16-18-23-25-30 Jul, 1-6-8-13-15-20-22-27-29 Aug -format: 14 les-

sons (2 lessons per week) -location: Van Alkemadelaan 1 -participants:

8-15 -course fee: € 325-

Dutch 1 (beginners A1 intensive)

13-273 -teacher: Mrs. drs. G. (Ghiti) Brinkman -time: 19.00-22.15 hrs (15

min. break) -start: Thursday 3 October -format: 14 lessons -location:

Oostduinlaan 50 -participants: 10-20 -course fee: € 305,-

Dutch 1 (beginners A1 intensive)  day course!

13-274 -teacher: Mrs. A.J. (Anja) Toledo-Cornet -time: 9.15-12.30 hrs (15

min. break) -start: Friday 4 October -format: 14 lessons -location: 2e

Braamstraat 6 -participants: 10-20 -course fee: € 305,-

Dutch 1 (beginners A1 extra intensive)  day course!

13-275 -teacher: Mrs. drs. A.M. (Ghiti) Brinkman -time: Wednesday and

Friday 9.15-12.30 hrs (15 min. break) -dates: 6-8-13-15-20-22-27-29 Nov, 4-

6-11-13-18-20 Dec -format: 14 lessons (2 lessons per week) -location:

Van Alkemadelaan 1 -participants: 8-15 -course fee: € 325,-

Dutch 1 (beginners A1)

13-276 -teacher: G.L. (Guus) Cappon -time: 19.00-20.30 hrs -start:

Monday 4 November -format: 24 lessons -location: Oostduinlaan 50

-participants: 10-20 -course fee: € 255,-

Dutch 1 (beginners A1)

13-277 -teacher: G.L. (Guus) Cappon -time: 20.45-22.15 hrs -start: Monday

4 November -format: 24 lessons -location: Oostduinlaan 50 -partici-

pants: 10-20 -course fee: € 255,-

For Dutch courses on intermediate and advanced levels, please go to the Dutch section of this website.