The Language Centre offers courses in Dutch for non-native speakers at various levels and intensities. The courses are designed for participants with a university education. The range of courses can be found in the menu on the left, divided into the various categories.
We also organize Dutch courses for native speakers. Click for more information on Dutch for native speakers
Language of instruction
The language of instruction will be Dutch in all courses.
Group size
There is a maximum of 15 participants in each group, unless otherwise indicated in the course description.
Attendance certificate
At the end of a course, every participant will receive an attendance certificate on condition that they have attended 75% of the lessons.
ECTS credit points
Students and exchange students of the University of Groningen can earn ECTS credit points if they successfully complete their Dutch course and if they meet the attendance requirement (75%). Each course description lists the number of ECTS you can earn for that course under 'Study Load'.
Admission
- If you want to take a regular course at level 1, you can register immediately.
- If you want to take a semi-intensive or intensive level 1 course or register for a higher level and have not taken a Language Centre course before, you must first attend the office hour and speak to a teacher. During that meeting the teacher will determine which course is most suitable for you.
- If you have already followed a Language Centre course, you can register using the advice card the teacher gave you at the end of the course.
Office hour
Office hours are held from 1.30 to 2.30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. No appointment is necessary. Office hours may be cancelled during school vacations.
No office hour on:
- Monday 30 April (Queens birthday)
- Thursday 17 May (Ascension Day)
- Monday 28 May (Whit Monday)
Change office hour 14 May
On 14 May the Office hour will be from 2-3 p.m.
Extra Office hours
Shortly before the courses start in February and September, extra office hours are held between 6 and 7 p.m. The secretariat will also be open for registration at these times. The extra office hours will be held on: dates to be announced.
The office hour is held in the Harmoniegebouw, Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat 26, 1st floor, building 15. There is a waiting area next to room 136 (H1315.0136).
Test your level yourself
If you like, you can use Dialang to determine your language proficiency level. This programme does not replace the advice card and the office hour, however; it is merely for your own reference.
CEFR
The courses in the menu on the left are described in terms of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a reference framework developed by the Council of Europe that provides a basis for comparing language proficiency levels and interpreting test scores. For more information, click CEFR.
Advice
At the end of a course or during the office hour, the teacher will issue a (binding) advice about continuing your studies at the Language Centre. You cannot register for a level that is higher or more intensive than the level stated on this card.
- If your results are satisfactory, you will usually be given the advice to continue with a regular course at a higher level.
- If your results are good to very good, you may be given the advice to follow a semi-intensive course.
- If your results are excellent, you may be given the advice to follow an intensive course.
If you did not pass the course, the teacher may recommend that you repeat the same level or transfer to a different institution. The latter case may occur if the teacher feels that our methods do not match your way of learning a language.
Below you will find more information about the intensive, semi-intensive and regular courses.
Repeating a course
Even if you have shown sufficient commitment and attended enough classes, your results may still be insufficient to proceed to the next level. Your teacher may then advise you to take another course at the same level. In a number of exceptional cases you may be entitled to a repeat course at half the normal course fee. This only applies if:
- you have shown sufficient commitment and have attended enough classes but your results are still insufficient for moving on to the next level
- your teacher has advised you to take another course at the same level
- the teacher has informed the secretariat that the 50% discount rule applies
- you repeat the course within the next six months.
This regulation thus does not apply if you drop out of a course due to illness, family problems, visa problems, not enough time, etc. The normal cancellation regulations apply in such cases. The regulation also does not apply if you decide for yourself that you want to repeat a course, or if you are unable to proceed to the next level because you missed too many classes and/or showed little commitment.
Intensity of the courses
Intensive courses (levels 1, 2 and 3)
These courses last 3 weeks and have a time investment of 50 contact hours and 50 to 60 hours of independent study. The lessons take place on Mondays to Fridays, with 3.5 contact hours per day, including a break. In addition to the classes, you should spend 3 to 4 hours a day on homework and independent study. The workload per week is roughly the same as a full-time job.
Because of the swift pace of the intensive courses, you must attend every day and ensure you have enough time to do your homework.This type of course is not suitable for people who
- work or study alongside the course, or have many other obligations
- have never learned a foreign language before
- are not able to communicate properly in English
- have to practise a lot to learn new things.
Participants are expected to demonstrate a high degree of independence when doing homework or independent study.
Semi-intensive courses (levels 1, 2 and 3)
These courses last ± 7 weeks with a time investment of 50 contact hours and 50 to 60 hours of independent study. Lessons take place on 3 days a week, with each lesson lasting 3 hours, including a break. Each lesson needs about 3-4 hours of homework preparation. The workload per week is roughly the same as a half-time job.
This type of course is not suitable for people who
- cannot spend three days a week attending classes
- have never learned a foreign language before
- are not able to communicate properly in English
- have to practise a lot to learn new things
Participants are expected to demonstrate a high degree of independence when doing homework or independent study.
Regular courses (levels 1, 2, 3 and 4, and other courses)
These courses are taught once or twice a week. Most courses require a time investment of 50 contact hours and about 50-60 hours of independent study (2 x 2 contact hours per week), but we also offer a level 1 course of 26 contact hours and 25-30 hours of independent study (1 x 2 contact hours per week). There is a short break in every lesson.
A regular course is particularly suitable for people who want to learn Dutch alongside their job or degree programme, and for people who have never learned a foreign language before. People who are not very proficient in English or who expect to find learning Dutch difficult are also advised to take one of these courses.
