The Language For Beginners

course
The purpose of this course is to learn the basics of the Dutch language. You will work During the course you will work on a portfolio. This is a folder in which you collect
on reading, writing, speaking, listening and conversation skills. The course is suitable proof of your proficiency, your activities outside the classroom and information about
for people who do not (or hardly) speak or understand Dutch. Amsterdam (knowledge, experience and skills).

The Language For Beginners course provides 10 months of classes. You have the
school holidays off. So, normally speaking, you will have finished the course after one
year. This course is usually given in your own district.
For the course you have to be available three half days per week. If you work and
follow classes in the evening, it is sometimes possible to go to school twice a week.
You will then receive additional assignments.
The Language For Beginners course has 3 components:
It is important to also practice the Dutch language outside the classroom. After 6
months, you will engage in an activity outside the classroom in which you need to
speak Dutch. This could be an activity in a neighbourhood centre, volunteer work or
as a language buddy. If you work, you can practice Dutch at work.
At the end of the course you will be tested to determine your level. The purpose of
this course is to achieve the A2 language level. However, if you learn quickly you
might be able to obtain a B1 level by the end of the course.

Dutch language classes

Amsterdam citizenship classes
An activity outside the classroom in which you speak Dutch (after 6 months)
 General Rules
Language For Beginners

If you cannot come to class, for instance because you are ill, you must notify the Your language course interview was with:
school. Also notify your contact person at the municipality if you cannot attend class
for a longer period of time or if you have to quit, for example due to relocation.
Name:
Plan your holidays during official school holidays. If you wish to plan your holidays at
different times, discuss this with the school on time. Telephone number:

It may happen that the course does not suit you. For example, it can be too easy or Email:
too difficult for you. Discuss this with your teacher. You can also contact your DWI
client manager or Taalwijzer. If you are still near the start of your course, you might
be able to switch.
Your course:
The course is basically free. However, the municipality can charge you 150 if it
turns out you had an attendance of less than 80%. This does not apply if there are
special circumstances, such as moving outside of Amsterdam. Possible starting date course:

Is something wrong at school? Discuss this as soon as possible with your teacher, School of preference:
the school, or your contact person at the municipality. Furthermore, you can always
file a complaint if you are not satisfied with the course, the school or the munici- School telephone number:
pality. This can be done by phone: 020 252 6006 or through a form that can be
found on www.amsterdam.nl/taal.

What happens next?

Within a few weeks you will receive an invitation from the school. Together with the
school you will discuss if this is the right course for you. There might be changes.
You have provided a preference for a school. If another school in your district starts
the course and times of your choice earlier, you will be transferred to that school.
 The Language and Job Orientation
course to A2 level
During this course you will improve speaking and writing in Dutch. This helps you
to find and keep a job in the Netherlands. You will practice Dutch with practical
situations: for example, a conversation with a colleague at work, reading a vacancy
or filling out an application form. The course is suitable for those who already speak
and understand a little bit of Dutch (from A1 level).
The Language and Job Orientation course to A2 level provides 6 months of classes.
You have the school holidays off. So, normally speaking, you will have finished the
course after 7 or 8 months. This course is usually given in your own district.
For the course you have to be available three half days per week. If you work and
follow classes in the evening, it is sometimes possible to go to school twice a week.
You will then receive additional assignments.
During the course you will work on a portfolio. This is a folder in which you collect
proof of your proficiency, your activities outside the classroom and information about
Amsterdam (knowledge, experience and skills).
It is important to also practice the Dutch language outside the classroom. After
3 months, you will engage in an activity outside the classroom where you need to
speak Dutch. This could be an activity in a neighbourhood centre, volunteer work
or as a language buddy. If you work, you can practice Dutch at work.
At the end of the course you will once again look at the skills you wanted to learn,
and the skills you have improved. Your portfolio will also be discussed, so the
teacher can determine the language level.

The Language and Job Orientation course has 3 components:

Dutch language classes

Amsterdam citizenship classes
An activity outside the classroom in which you speak Dutch (after 3 months)
 General Rules
Language and Job Orientation

If you cannot come to class, for instance because you are ill, you must notify the Your language course interview was with:
school. Also notify your contact person at the municipality if you cannot attend
class for a longer period of time or if you have to quit, for example due to
relocation. Name:

Plan your holidays during official school holidays. If you wish to plan your holidays Telephone number:
at different times, discuss this with the school on time.
Email:
It may happen that the course does not suit you. For example, it can be too easy or
too difficult for you. Discuss this with your teacher. You can also contact your DWI
client manager or Taalwijzer. If you are still near the start of your course, you might
be able to switch. Your course:

The course is basically free. However, the municipality can charge you 100 if it
turns out you had an attendance of less than 80%. This does not apply if there are Possible starting date course:
special circumstances, such as moving outside of Amsterdam.
School of preference:
Is something wrong at school? Discuss this as soon as possible with your teacher,
the school, or your contact person at the municipality. Furthermore, you can always School telephone number:
file a complaint if you are not satisfied with the course, the school or the munici-
pality. This can be done by phone: 020 252 6006 or through a from that can be
found on www.amsterdam.nl/taal.
What happens next?

Within a few weeks you will receive an invitation from the school. Together with the
school you will discuss if this is the right course for you. There might be changes.
You have provided a preference for a school. If another school in your district starts
the course and times of your choice earlier, you will be transferred to that school.
 The Language, Neighbourhood
and Upbringing course
The purpose of this course is to improve your Dutch, focused on nearby activities
and /or the raising of your children. You practice Dutch with practical situations:
for example, reading a brochure about community events, a conversation with the
teacher at school or completing a reply from. The course is suitable for those who
already speak and understand a little bit of Dutch (from A1 level).
The Language, Neighbourhood and Upbringing course provides 6 months of classes.
You have the school holidays off. So, normally speaking, you will have finished the
course after 7 or 8 months. This course is usually given in your own district.
For the course you have to be available three half-days per week. If you work and
follow classes in the evening, it is sometimes possible to go to school twice a week.
You will then receive additional assignments.
The Language For Beginners course has three components:
Dutch language classes
Amsterdam citizenship classes
An activity outside the classroom in which you speak Dutch (after 3 months)
During the course you will work on a portfolio. This is a folder in which you collect
proof of your proficiency, your activities outside the classroom and information about
Amsterdam (knowledge, experience and skills). The teacher will assess the language
level with some of these tasks.
It is important to also practice the Dutch language outside the classroom. After
3 months, you will engage in an activity outside the classroom in which you need to
speak Dutch. This could be an activity in a neighbourhood centre, volunteer work
or as a language buddy. If you work, you can practice Dutch at work.
At the end of the course you will once again look at the skills you wanted to learn,
and the skills you have improved. Your portfolio will also be discussed, so the teacher
can determine the language level.
 General Rules
Language, Neighbourhood and Upbringing

If you cannot come to class, for instance because you are ill, you must notify the Your language course interview was with:
school. Also notify your contact person at the municipality if you cannot attend
class for a longer period of time or you need to stop, for example due to relocation.
Name:
Plan your holidays during official school holidays. If you wish to plan your holidays at
different times, discuss this with the school on time. Telephone number:

It may happen that the course does not suit you. For example, it can be too easy or Email:
too difficult for you. Discuss this with your teacher. You can also contact your DWI
client manager or Taalwijzer. If you are still near the start of your course, you might
be able to switch.
Your course:
The course is basically free. However, the municipality can charge you 100 if it
turns out you had an attendance of less than 80%. This does not apply if there are
special circumstances, such as moving outside of Amsterdam. Possible starting date course:

Is something wrong at school? Discuss this as soon as possible with your teacher, School of preference:
the school, or your contact person at the municipality. Furthermore, you can always
file a complaint if you are not satisfied with the course, the school or the munici- School telephone number:
pality. This can be done by phone: 020 252 6006 or through a from that can be
found on www.amsterdam.nl/taal.

What happens next?

Within a few weeks you will receive an invitation from the school. Together with the
school you will discuss if this is the right course for you. There might be changes.
You have provided a preference for a school. If another school in your district starts
the course and times of your choice earlier, you will be transferred to that school.

The purpose of the State Exam NT2 I course is to improve your Dutch to B1 level and
obtain the State Exam NT2 programme I diploma. This course is designed for people
who need this diploma for work or their studies.
The State Exam NT2 I
course
During the course you will work on a portfolio. This is a folder in which you collect
proof of your proficiency, your activities outside the classroom and information
about Amsterdam (knowledge, experience and skills).

The State Exam NT2 I course provides up to 15 months of classes. The school At the end of the course, the school will sign you up for the exam at DUO. If you do
determines the length of the course at the start. It depends on your personal level not pass (all parts) the first time, you can retake the exam once.
and how quickly you learn. The course can also take less time. You have the school
holidays off. This course is offered in one or two places in the city and is not
always available in the district where you live.

You go to school 3 times a week. You can expect a lot of homework. In case you have
a job and follow classes in the evening, it is sometimes possible to attend school
twice a week. You will then receive additional assignments.

The State Exam NT2 I course has 2 components:

Dutch language classes

Amsterdam citizenship classes
 General Rules
State Exam NT2 I

If you cannot come to class, for instance because you are ill, you must notify the Your language course interview was with:
school. Also notify your contact person at the municipality if you cannot attend
class for a longer period of time or you have to quit, for example due to relocation.
Name:
Plan your holidays during official school holidays. If you wish to plan your holidays
at different times, discuss this with the school on time. Telephone number:

It may happen that the course does not suit you. For example, it can be too easy or Email:
too difficult for you. Discuss this with your teacher. You can also contact your DWI
client manager or Taalwijzer. If you are still near the start of your course, you might
be able to switch.
Your course:
The course is basically free. However, the municipality can charge you 313
(amount 2014/2015) if it turns out you had an attendance of less than 80%, or you
are not taking the exam. This does not apply if there are special circumstances, Possible starting date course:
such as moving outside of Amsterdam.
School of preference:
Is something wrong at school? Discuss this as soon as possible with your teacher,
the school, or your contact person at the municipality. Furthermore, you can always School telephone number:
file a complaint if you are not satisfied with the course, the school or the munici-
pality. This can be done by phone: 020 252 6006 or through a from that can be
found on www.amsterdam.nl/taal.
What happens next?

Within a few weeks you will receive an invitation from the school. Together with the
school you will discuss if this is the right course for you. There might be changes.
You have provided a preference for a school. If another school in your district starts
the course and times of your choice earlier, you will be transferred to that school.

The purpose of the State Exam NT2 II course is to improve your Dutch to level B2 and
obtain the State Exam NT2, programme II, diploma. This course is designed
for people who need this diploma for work or their studies.
The State Exam NT2 II
course
During the course you will work on a portfolio. This is a folder in which you collect
proof of your proficiency, your activities outside the classroom and information
about Amsterdam (knowledge, experience and skills).

The State Exam NT2 II course provides up to 15 months of classes. The school At the end of the course, the school will sign you up for the exam at DUO. If you do
determines the length of the course at the start. This depends on your level not pass (all parts) the first time, you can retake the exam once.
and how quickly you learn. The course can also take less time. You have the school
holidays off.

You go to school twice a week. In addition, during the span of the course you will
have a heavy study load in your own time. Save at least 10 hours per week
for the course.

The State Exam NT2 II course has 2 components:

Dutch language classes

Amsterdam citizenship classes
 General Rules
State Exam NT2 II

If you cannot come to class, for instance because you are ill, you must notify the Your language course interview was with:
school. Also notify your contact person at the municipality if you cannot attend class
for a longer period of time or you need to stop, for example due to relocation.
Name:
Plan your holidays during official school holidays. If you wish to plan your holidays at
different times, discuss this with the school on time. Telephone number:

It may happen that the course does not suit you. For example, it is too easy or too Email:
difficult. Discuss this with your teacher. You can also contact your DWI client
manager or Taalwijzer. If you are still at the beginning of your course, you might be
able to switch.
Your course:
The course is basically free. However, the municipality can charge you 563
(amount 2014/2015) if you had an attendance of less than 80%, or you are not
taking the exam. This does not apply if there are special circumstances, such as Possible starting date course:
moving outside of Amsterdam.
School of preference:
Something wrong at school? Discuss this as soon as possible with your teacher, the
school, or your contact person at the municipality. Furthermore, you can always file School telephone number:
a complaint if you are not satisfied with the course, the school or the municipality.
This is possible by phone: 020 252 6006 or through a from that can be found on
www.amsterdam.nl/taal.
What happens next?

Within a few weeks you will receive an invitation from the school. Together with the
school you will discuss if this is the right course for you. There might be changes.
You have provided a preference for a school. If another school in your district starts
the course and times of your choice earlier, you will be transferred to that school.
 Practice
It is important to practice the Dutch language outside of the classroom. You will learn At5 has special television programmes for people who are learning Dutch.
faster if you frequently use the language, also after you have finished the course. You You can find the programmes via the website www.leefenleer.nl.
can keep up your language skills and improve even further by continuing to listen,
speak, read and write Dutch as much as you can. Some tips for you: Do you find it difficult to follow a programme that is entirely in Dutch? Migrant
broadcasters make programmes on the radio, television and via the Internet with
The website www.oefenen.nl has all kinds of programmes to help you practice with support in another language. Check the website www.stationnederlands.nl.
the Dutch language, math and working on the computer. Create a free account and
discover the possibilities! Do you speak little Dutch in your daily life? Then find activities to practice speaking
Dutch with other people. Check out the website www.jekuntmeer.nl for many
The Amsterdam Public Library can help you practice on your own. You can use courses and volunteer activities in your neighbourhood.
computers with language programmes. There is also a special section with books
and materials for those who want to learn the Dutch language: the NL square
(NL plein). In addition, there are reading clubs, such as Easy Reading
(Makkelijk Lezen) and other activities. Visit a location near you or check
www.leefenleer.nl.

Would you like to practice with someone who speaks proper Dutch? You can.
There are many volunteers in Amsterdam who will gladly help people with the
Dutch language. The school can help you find someone. You can also sign up
via the website www.leefenleer.nl.