Introduction to Dutch

Are you planning to visit, or work or study in the Netherlands soon? This free online course is perfect if you have little or no prior knowledge of Dutch, but would like to master the fundamentals in order to survive life in the Low Countries.

Learn basic Dutch

The course will run over three weeks, helping you to:

• introduce yourself and get to know other learners
• talk about your family, friends, work and study
• and experience life in the Netherlands.

Speak, write and understand useful Dutch

During the course, you will learn Dutch phrases, greetings, vocabulary, numbers, spelling and grammar. Being able to understand the language will make everyday activities, such as shopping or going out to a restaurant, much more enjoyable.

By the end of the course, you will be able to recognise familiar words and phrases about yourself and your family. You will be taught to use simple sentences to describe where you live and the people you know.

Finally, you will be able to write short texts such as an email or fill in forms with personal details. The main focus will be on receptive skills such as reading and listening.

Learn with the University of Groningen Language Centre

The course will be taught in English by lecturers of Dutch and English from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.

So, if you would like to get a taste of Dutch - and join the 23 million people who speak the language in the Netherlands, Flanders, Suriname and many other countries - join the course now.

This course is aimed at people with no prior knowledge of the Dutch language, who have a strong interest in learning languages. It will give you a taste of language skills that will help you to survive in Dutch-speaking countries. The main focus will be on receptive skills like reading and listening. It will be taught in English.

• Introducing yourself
• Getting started
• Introduction to Week 1
• Introduce yourself
• Language focus: grammar explanation
• Counting
• The alphabet
• Summary of Week 1
• Introducing the Dutch
• Talking about family, work and study
• Introducing the topic: talking about family, work and study
• Say more about yourself
• Language focus: grammar explanation
• The time
• Greeting someone
• Summary of Week 2
• Introducing the Dutch
• Living in the Netherlands
• Introducing the topic: living in The Netherlands
• Living in the Netherlands
• Language focus: grammar explanation
• Making a suggestion
• Paying
• Summary of Week 3
• Introducing the Dutch