Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to :

Grammar and Vocabulary

  • demonstrate command of B1-level grammar and vocabulary (general and thematic), primarily through reading-based activities.

Reading

  • extract both general and specific information from written texts;

  • explain and demonstrate understanding of a text's content;

  • apply reading strategies to facilitate and improve comprehension of written communication.

Speaking

  • produce a short video presenting a cultural discovery related to their area of study;

  • participate in interactive classroom activities aimed at developing oral communication skills.

Listening and Writing will be developped through interactive classroom activities; however, these skills will not be assessed.

Goals

The course has three main objectives:

  • To provide an introduction to Dutch (or a refresher course), enabling students to acquire a basic lexical and grammatical foundation, with the goal of achieving a B1 level in reading and listening comprehension by the end of the academic year.

  • To develop the ability to read Dutch-language texts relevant to the students' fields of study (see Description / Target Programmes).

  • To introduce students to Flemish and Dutch culture and history in the broadest sense through the reading of Dutch-language texts.

After the course, you will be able to read texts related to your field of study at B1 level, with the help of a dictionary for more specific terms.





Content

Regular and active attendance is required.

Learning will take place through the following learning activities:


AA1: GRAMMATICS/VOCABULARY The first term will focus mainly on learning (or refreshing) basic Dutch grammar and vocabulary with an A1/A2 target by the end of the term. In the second term, grammar and vocabulary will continue to be taught, with an A2/B1 target by the end of the year. The main emphasis will be on mastering grammar in a receptive way.


AA2: TEXT READING Reading of texts related to the students' fields of study will begin in the second term. Note: Short listening, speaking and writing activities will also be part of the course, in order to make it interactive.


AA3: VIDEO A cultural discovery related to the students' field of study will also be required, as well as a report in a short video. Most of the material will be available on Webcampus.






Teaching methods

Face-to-face lessons will take place for two hours a week. Students are placed in a group of no more than thirty students.

- Q1:

o In preparation for the lesson: grammar and vocabulary exercises, short translations

o In class: theoretical explanations of grammar, grammar and vocabulary exercises and correction, short interactive exercises, questions/answers

- Q2:

o In preparation for the lesson: grammar, translation and reading exercises

o In class: theoretical explanations of grammar, grammar and vocabulary exercises and correction, reading and listening time, interactive exercises, questions/answers

o Independently with guidance: cultural discovery and report in a video.



Assessment method

Grammar and vocabulary – 45%

  • November test: 10%

  • January exam (A1/A2 proficiency): 15%

  • June exam (A2/B1 proficiency): 20%

Continuous assessment (CA) – 45%

  • Reading comprehension and/or coursework assessments: 45%

Video project and cultural challenge – 10%

Regular and active participation in class (minimum 75% attendance) is a requirement for passing the course.

Failure to complete any part of the assessment or any unjustified absence from an assessment component will prevent us from calculating the student's final grade and will result in a mark of 1/20 for the course as a whole.

However, during the August resit session, if the overall course average is below 10/20, students will only be required to retake the assessment components for which they obtained less than 10/20. Students who joined the programme later in the academic year following a change of study programme will be required to sit, during the resit session, the assessment components they were unable to attend.

Important note

  • Assignments and assessments must comply with the instructions provided in class or during examinations. Failure to follow these instructions will result in a failing grade.

  • The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted during assessments, except in specific learning activities explicitly authorized by the instructor.

Sources, references and any support material

Course materials (grammar, vocabulary, texts, videos, and PowerPoint presentations) will be made available online via Webcampus.

  • Grammar: Evolutieve en contrastieve Grammatica (Part 1: Theory and Examples; Part 2: Exercises), + additional online exercises available on Webcampus.

  • Vocabulary:

    • Woorden in Context, Part 1 (De Boeck), words 1-1000 (word list available on Webcampus).

    • Thematic vocabulary from all texts studied during the course (see the course document on Webcampus).

Language of instruction

Dutch