Admission requirements
This course is open exclusively for regular Dutch Studies students.
Description
The beginners’ course Language Acquisition is a 13-week course of 10 hours per week. The 15 EC are divided among three different course elements (the course itself makes up a single unit):
Writing/Grammar 5 EC (code 5811VSG1A )
Reading/Vocabulary 5 EC (code 5811VLW1A)
Speaking/Listening 5 EC (code 5811VSL1AT)
The beginners’ course consists of two hours of language acquisition every day. At the start, the lectures will be given in English, but the working language will be changed to Dutch as soon as is feasible, adapted to the level of the students. Speaking, listening, reading and writing will be practised intensively; close attention will be paid to vocabulary and grammar. This course makes up a single unit, which means it is not possible to follow individual course elements.
The teaching method used during this semester will be the Contact! method. Students will read and listen to texts; the most important grammatical rules will be explained, and students will complete relevant exercises. Considerable attention will also be paid to the students’ speaking skills, by means of pronunciation and intonation exercises as well as conversations/discussions. Our aim is to give students the self-confidence they need to speak Dutch outside the formal lessons.
Students are expected to manage a heavy workload (a minimum of 4 hours a day); there is ample opportunity in the lessons for questions.
Course objectives
This lecture is aimed at acquiring an elementary level of Dutch. In terms of the European Reference Framework, the aim is to achieve A2 level for speaking and writing, and A2/B1 level for reading and listening.
A language user with A2 level:
Is able to understand sentences and common expressions related to matters of direct personal concern (for example, personal data, family, shopping, local geography, work).
Is able to communicate in simple and everyday tasks that require a straightforward and direct exchange on familiar and everyday matters
Is able to describe in simple terms aspects of his or her own background, the immediate environment and other matters of interest.
A language user with B1 level of reading and listening:
- Is able to understand the most important issues in clear written or spoken standard texts on familiar subjects that occur regularly at work, at school or in free time.
Timetable
Please, check the Dutch Studies timetable (available from June on)
Mode of instruction
Lectures: presence is required
Study Load
The total study load is 420 hours
classes: 130 hours
tests and exams: 10 hours
preparation for classes and writing assignments: 280 hours
Assessment method
In weeks 5, 9 and 13, written tests will be given with short, open, fill-the-blanks questions and essay questions. The average mark for these tests will make up the grade for Writing/Grammar. Exams will be held in December and January on the following components: speaking, listening, reading/vocabulary. The Speaking exam will be an oral test; the Listening and Reading/Vocabulary exams will be written tests with closed questions. The final grade for Speaking/Listening is the average of the two components. All final grades have to be at least a pass. If students fail one or more components, a resit is possible.
The use of dictionaries is not permitted during the exams.
Blackboard
This course will make use of Blackboard for messages/information.
h3. Reading list Contact! Nederlands voor anderstaligen. Textbook, workbook and vocabulary list. There are also 5 cd’s which are used with this method. Uitgeverij Intertaal, Amsterdam, 2011. The book can be bought also via www.intertaal.nl
Registration
Students should register via uSis. If you have any questions or problems, please contact the departmental office, tel. 071 5272233 or mail: dutchstudies@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Contact
Departmental Office Dutch Studies, P.N. van Eyckhof 4, kamer 102C. Tel. 071 5272233; mail: dutchstudies@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Student advisor: Mw. I. Zagar, P.N. van Eyckhof 3, room 305B; mail: i.zagar@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
The language of instruction in the first weeks is English which will gradually flow over in Dutch.