Admission requirements
None.
Description
The beginner’s course consists of two hours of language acquisition instruction per day. In the beginning, the lectures are given in English but the language of instruction quickly changes to Dutch, adapted to the level of the students. Speaking, listening, reading and writing are practised intensively, obviously with much attention being paid to grammar and vocabulary. This course is a complete unit; it is not possible to follow only some of the components. To avoid students failing the entire course due to their having failed one component, the credits have been divided as follows:
DSSL1A, Speaking / Listening 5 ECTS
DSLW1A, Reading / Vocabulary 5 ECTS
DSSG1A, Writing / Grammar 5 ECTS
Course objectives
This course is entirely dedicated to learning the Dutch language at an elementary level. In terms of the Common European Framework, the course aims at raising students to level A2/B1 (for more information, see talencentrum website).
Timetable
The timetable
Mode of instruction
Tutorial: compulsory attendance.
Assessment method
Knowledge of the chapters from the Help! book is tested weekly. The average grade of these tests forms the grade for the vocabulary component. Two fives are allowed, if they are compensated for by two sevens. In December and January, examinations are taken on the following components: speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar. The grades for speaking/listening, reading/vocabulary and writing/grammar are taken to be the average of the two components. Grades lower than a six cannot be compensated in this case.
The use of dictionaries (not electronic) is allowed during the examinations for reading, listening and writing.
Blackboard
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Reading list
E. Ham, W.H.T.M. Tersteeg en L. Zijlmans:_ Help! deel 1: Kunt u mij helpen, deel 2: Kunt u mij even helpen?_ (Utrecht, 2001). Additional audio material is available from the secretariat on payment of a deposit of € 10.
I. de Bakker, M. Meijboom, A. Norbart e.a.: Nederlands in hoofdlijnen, praktische grammatica voor anderstaligen, theorie- en oefeningenboek (Groningen, 1994)
E. Ham, W.H.T.M. Tersteeg en L. Zijlmans: _Help! deel 1: Kunt u mij helpen, deel 2: Kunt u mij even helpen? _(Utrecht, 2001). Aanvullend audiomateriaal verkrijgbaar bij het secretariaat tegen betaling van een borg van € 10.
I. de Bakker, M. Meijboom, A. Norbart e.a.: Nederlands in hoofdlijnen, praktische grammatica voor anderstaligen, theorie- en oefeningenboek (Groningen, 1994).
Registration
Via uSis
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Contact information
Please, contact the teacher m.arends@hum.leidenuniv.nl or the coördinator of Dutch Studies: I.Zagar@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Overview: This semester, the books Help! part 1 and 2 will be covered in their entirety. During the tutorials, texts will be read and listened to. The most important grammatical rules are explained and exercises are practised. The students are expected to do their homework (minimum of 4 hours a day) and there is ample time for questions during the tutorial sessions.
The tutorials also clearly focus on fluency, both in the form of pronunciation and intonation exercises and conversation. The aim is to give students the self-confidence required to speak Dutch outside the classroom.