FAQ Direct Dutch Institute

Direct Dutch Institute has the word ‘direct’ in its name because we teach the language directly and intensively by speaking Dutch. The teacher speaks Dutch to students from the very beginning!

Our teaching method, called 'Home in in Holland', is a method of our own design. This method is based on the understanding that the process of learning can be speeded up if speaking and listening get more priority than reading and writing.

We also believe that it is really important to incorporate cultural information in our courses.

To read more about the Direct Dutch method please go to Direct Dutch Institute and the (Direct) dutch method.

Students who participated in a Direct Dutch course, and finished the test at the end of the course, will receive a Direct Dutch certificate, stating their level of Dutch.

At Direct Dutch, we use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of our courses. Read more about the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) here.

The level on a language certificate is always a general indicator of the proficiency level of the individual student. For example. Some students might be more confident expressing themselves in Dutch than other students, after taking the same course. This might have to do with language background, individual learning styles and interests.

At the end, or towards the end, of the course there will be a test (or tests) to assess your level of Dutch. Your score on this test will be part of your end grade.

The teacher will also consider your attendance, participation in class, Dutch conversation skills and your general progress during the course.

At Direct Dutch, we use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of our courses. Read more about the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) here.

On our course pages you can see that some courses are available, some are fully booked, and for some courses there’s a waiting list. Here you can read what this means:

AVAILABLE: There’s a place available on the course. Enrol to reserve your place. You will be asked to confirm your place before the date mentioned in our follow up email.

WAITING LIST: A place might become available. Not all students have confirmed their places. If you enrol in the course you will be placed on the waiting list. We will contact you if a place becomes available.

FULLY BOOKED: Enrolment is closed. All students have confirmed their places.

Our online courses employ the same proven (direct) method of teaching Dutch as our traditional courses. Here are the key distinctions:

• A virtual classroom with a live teacher and a maximum of 6 students.
• Real time audio and video.
• Smaller groups with a maximum of 6 students (compared to 8 in our regular classes).
• An interactive setting with room to ask questions, practise your speaking skills and interact with- and listen to other students.
• Interactive tools: virtual whiteboard, screen sharing, document sharing, real time notes and more.
• Course material, sent to you by post (no charge) or you can pick up your book at Direct Dutch Institute

You can find more info about our online classes here.

Like most language schools, at Direct Dutch institute we use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of our courses.

The CEFR describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level.

Over the past years, those six reference levels have become widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual’s language proficiency. Click here for a short description of the different levels.

Right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Direct Dutch switched most courses to online.

Whenever the situation allowed for in-house courses, they were organised with 7 students instead of 8. The classroom was adjusted so students were able to keep 1.5 meter distance.

In addition, there were strict hygiene measures throughout the building to combat the spread of COVID-19. Everyone was required to wear a mask when walking around the building, when necessary.

At this moment Direct Dutch offers both in-house courses and online courses, and will continue to do so.

At Direct Dutch we have courses with and courses without prerequisites. Therefore an intake might be required.

COURSES WITHOUT PREREQUISITES:

Courses that start at A0 don't have course prerequisites, therefore an intake is not required. You do need to understand some English, because some of the grammar might be explained in English, if necessary.

Courses that start at A0 are the Beginners A0 - A1 and the Intensive Beginners course A0 - A2. All our other courses have prerequisites.

COURSES WITH PREREQUISITES:

All courses that start above A0 do have prerequisites, therefore a free intake might be required. A free intake is required if you haven’t completed a course at Direct Dutch before. After we receive your enrolment form, we will inform you if a free oral intake test is required. Please also feel free to book an appointment for a free oral test prior to enrolling in a course.

IF YOU ALREADY COMPLETED A COURSE AT DIRECT DUTCH:

If you completed a course at Direct Dutch before, and you want to enrol in the subsequent course, you're good to go! You don't need to do an intake, unless you teacher advised otherwise.

For more information about course levels (the CEFR), our intakes and course prerequisites, please go the page ‘Where do I start?‘. Would you rather talk to one of us in person? Please feel free to contact our office!

If you finished a Dutch course at a different language school, you are more than welcome to obtain the next level at Direct Dutch Institute. Before you enrol in the course, you are required to book an appointment for a free oral test.

Most language schools use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of their courses. Nevertheless, different language schools have different teaching methods. Some schools are grammar based and others focus on speaking entirely.

During the free intake we can find out whether our method of teaching matches your current level. This way we can ensure that you will enrol in the right course!

To read more about the Direct Dutch method please go to Direct Dutch Institute and the (Direct) dutch method.
Read more about the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) here.

All courses that start above A0 have prerequisites. You are required to do an intake for a course that starts above A0, if you haven’t completed a course at Direct Dutch before.

It's possible to enrol in a course, without having done the intake first. After we receive your enrolment form, we will inform you whether or not a free oral test is required.

Please keep in mind that we can only confirm you place in the course after you have done the intake test. So don't wait too long to book an appointment for a free oral test.

So you want to learn Dutch, but you have no idea where to start? Or you want to seriously improve your Dutch, after learning a little bit of the language on your own? The information on this page will guide you in the right direction!

The NT2 (Dutch as a Second Language) State exam is the official national exam, authorized by the Dutch government and organized by DUO — previously called the Informatie Beheer Groep (IB-groep) — since 1992.

The exam is meant for internationals who are at least eighteen years old and want to prove that they have a sufficient command of the language to be able to follow education in Dutch, or work in a Dutch company. The exam is recognized throughout Dutch higher education and by many Dutch employers.

Programme I and Programme II

There are two exam programmes, directed at two different target groups. Both exams consist of four parts, being a reading, writing, listening and speaking exam. You have to pass all four exams in order to get your certificate.
Programme I (level B1 CEFR) is designed for people who want to work in vocational jobs, or follow a training for such jobs (e.g. at a Dutch ROC).
Programme II (level B2 CEFR) is meant for people who want to work in middle and higher level jobs or want to study in Dutch higher education (e.g. at a Dutch hogeschool or university) .

The assignments in the programme II exam are more difficult and elaborate than the assignments in programme I. However, please note that your Dutch does not have to be perfect for either of the exams. During the exams, participants are allowed to use a dictionary and are allowed to make (some) mistakes as well.

After the Direct Dutch Intermediate B1 course, students are ready for the NT2-I exam.
The assignments in the programme II exam require a set of specific skills. Please talk to your teacher if you are planning to take the exam after the Advanced B2 course.

More information

Click here for more information in Dutch about the NT2-II exam at the website from DUO.
Click here to read an article about the NT2 exam in English at www.iamexpat.nl.
Click here to have a look at previous NT2 I and II exams.
Click here to subscribe for the exam straight away.

NT2 Programme I level B1

After the Intermediate B1 course, you will receive a Direct Dutch certificate, stating you have completed the Intermediate B1 course. After the B1 course, students are generally well prepared to take the official NT2 State Exam Programme I.
In the 10th lesson of the B1 course, students will take home the reading exam of the NT2 Programme I exam to prepare as homework. In the 11th lesson they’ll take home the writing exam of the NT2 Programme I exam. In the last lesson students will take the listening exam in class. As an additional service, Direct Dutch gives students the opportunity to make an appointment with the teacher for the oral exam (free of charge).

Test NT2 Programme II level B2

After the Advanced B2 course, you will receive a Direct Dutch certificate, stating you have completed the Advanced B2 course. After the B2 course, students are generally well prepared to take the official NT2 State Exam Programme II.

In the 10^th lesson of the course, students will take home the reading exam of the NT2 Programme II exam to prepare as homework. In the 11^th lesson they’ll take home the writing exam of the NT2 Programme II exam. In the last lesson students will take the listening exam in class.

The assignments in the programme II exam require a set of specific skills. Please talk to your teacher if you are planning to take the exam after the Advanced B2 course. As an additional service, Direct Dutch gives students the opportunity to make an appointment with the teacher for the oral exam (free of charge).

There is the possibility to borrow money from DUO if you attend a course programme at a civic integration school with the ‘Blik op Werk’ quality mark. We are not a civic integration school, therefore you cannot use your DUO loan to pay for a course at Direct Dutch Institute. Please go to  zoekinburgerschool to find information about finding a good civic integration school.