Dutch Language and Culture. For international students of teacher training

This minor is not present during the minor market on March 14, but does provide online minor information in the period February 26 – March 8.

Would you like to understand and speak the Dutch language better? Are you curious about the Dutch culture that surrounds you in your day-to-day life in the Netherlands? This one-year minor provides international students the opportunity to learn Dutch for use in their daily lives, at their internship and/or work in the Netherlands. In addition, you will have the opportunity to connect with fellow international students and Dutch as a second language teachers.   

Learning a language is challenging and time-consuming. Plan to dedicate 2 hours of classes twice a week and at least 4 hours of self-study weekly. Additionally, immerse yourself in a Dutch-speaking environment for at least 280 hours throughout the academic year, functioning at a minimum B1 level. This immersion can be achieved through part-time jobs, volunteer work, sport clubs or additional internship activities at your internship school. This investment in time and effort will improve your Dutch communication skills, allowing you to effectively use the language in your studies, internship, and personal life. The minor consists of four modules (in periods A, B, C & and D), totaling 30 EC. Each module incorporates both content and interactive elements, such as excursions. You will improve your language level to the CEFR-B1 level (independent language user). Please note that this minor is not intended for students who have Dutch as a second language level B2 for entry to college studies.

Admission 

• You are an international student and have completed a propaedeutic year. 
• Your working language is English; your native language is English, French, German, Spanish, or another language excluding Dutch. 
• You did not attend secondary education at a Dutch-speaking educational institution. 
• You have basic language skills in Dutch (level A2). You may have attained this level through the Dutch Elective course in the propaedeutic phase of Teacher Education, or through a Dutch course previously taken outside the HU. Your Dutch language level will be tested during the minor’s intake.  
• You are willing and able to dedicate time to learn Dutch to at least B1 level for a year alongside the main phase of your Bachelor program.  

The Examination Board determines which minors do not have a higher professional education level and/or have an unacceptable overlap with the compulsory curriculum of your own study programme. Check at the page Not allowed minor courses under your institute which minors are not allowed. This page will be updated from 29 February for the 2024-2025 minor offer.

Content

Learning materials  

• LINK+ (A2>B1) (see literature list below): online learning environment. 
• Canvas, the online digital platform used by the HU, University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht providing supplementary materials for portfolio assignments. 
• Dutch cultural aspects such as Dutch news media and accessible (popular) culture and literature. You will learn Dutch through authentic texts and apply the language in your own course/ study program and in daily life. 
• By giving presentations, participating in conversations and attending excursions and other activities, you will continually improve your Dutch. 

Option
You can take the State Examination NT2 – Program 1 at the end of this minor if you wish. An independent exam provides proof of language proficiency as an independent language learner and is a prerequisite for possible naturalization. Participation in this exam is your own responsibility and falls outside the minor organization. You will have to pay the costs for the NT2 State Examination (€180) yourself. 

Learning objectives

De minor in Dutch language and culture helps  international students in Teacher Education Training to further develop their Dutch proficiency for the following purposes:  

1. Functioning in a Dutch educational workplace for secondary or vocational education (VO or MBO) 

• Understanding language expressions, including common words and phrases used by the youths at a minimum B1 level.  
• Employing classroom management language in Dutch. 
• Giving instructions, including common grammatical terms.
  
• Understanding and writing on common topics and contributing to team meetings. 
• Consciously applying didactical work forms and language development methods during in class activities and in practice.  
• Reflecting on one’s personal experiences as a language learner and one’s own cultural background 

      2. Functioning in the Dutch society and culture 

• Having informal conversations with acquaintances and strangers on familiar topics at a minimum B1 level. 
• Preparing for a job interview in Dutch to secure an internship 
• Discussing recent societal developments in the Netherlands, with a focus on Dutch education. 
• Speaking about selected Dutch cultural aspects, including cultural heritage and artistic expressions. 
• Functioning at a minimum B1 level in a Dutch speaking environment, such as  in a part time job, volunteer work or a sports club/ gym. 

Courses

The minor is distributed over four periods within an academic year, totaling 30 EC. 

Overview 

* a total of 280 hours, to be filled in according to your flexibility and preference.  

Executives and teachers from the teacher training courses NT2 and English – IA/HU 

This minor is taught by enthusiastic, experienced, and certified Dutch teachers who are connected to the department of Dutch/NT2 of the teacher training Institute Archimedes of HU, University of Applied Sciences in Utrecht. The minor has been set up in close cooperation with the English department. 

Dutch Team consists of: 

• Dorien de Lange, NT2 lecturer; 
• Liesbeth van der Meij, NT2 lecturer and trainer of NT2 teachers; 
• Anneloes Spaan, NT2 lecturer and trainer of NT2 teachers; 
• Maaike van Utrecht, NT2 lecturer and trainer of NT2 teachers. 

Assessments

You finish each module with a dossier with a couple of portfolio assignments (such as a presentation of your oral skills or developing a mini lecture) and a language proficiency test (curriculum-dependent). 

Important: Attending classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays is necessary for completion of the minor. During class we will actively work on speaking skills and you will receive feedback from both fellow students and faculty. You have to incorporate the feedback into your portfolio assignments. 

Please note that attending classes is necessary in order to get feedback from your classmates and the teacher. If you do not have feedback you will not be able to finalize and hand in your portfolio. 

Literature

• • LINK+ voor hogeropgeleiden A2>B1  https://www.nt2.nl/nl/101-40_LINK/100-641_LINK-voor-theoretisch-geschoolden-A2-B1-jaarlicentie

Schedule

Classes in the minor in period A, B, C & D will be on Tuesday 15.00-17.00 and Thursdays 09.00-11.00, 2 x 2 hours per week.  

With the exception of the first teaching period of the academic year (starting September), the lesson and test schedules are always posted on Mijn Rooster four weeks before the start of each teaching period. The schedule for the first teaching period of the academic year can be found on the site three weeks before the start. The most up-to-date schedule is always visible on Mijn Rooster. 

At HU, full-time education may be scheduled between 08:30 and 19:00. 

Additional costs

Additional costs for this minor include NT2-books, occasional excursions to Utrecht or other cities. If you want to take the Staatsexamen NT2 – program 1 (B1) the costs for the exam will be for your own account. Additional costs for this minor include NT2-books, occasional excursions to Utrecht or other cities. If you want to take the Staatsexamen NT2 – program 1 (B1) the costs for the exam will be for your own account: €180 for a complete exam of all four skills.