Program Overview

Dutch for Reading Knowledge

The Dutch for Reading Knowledge course is designed for those interested in reading Dutch texts. This course focuses on Dutch grammar, personalized vocabulary, a portfolio, searching in online archives, and translation of texts with AI. The book used in class covers various themes, including art history, social policies, and post-colonial Netherlands. Participants work on their individual specialisms in small groups, using self-chosen reading materials.

Target Group

Dutch for Reading Knowledge is designed for graduate students preparing for departmental reading/translation exams and/or those who need to read Dutch for their research. The course does not require any previous knowledge of Dutch.

Course Content

Students acquire basic reading vocabulary and understanding of contemporary and older Dutch grammar through analytical discussion, grammar exercises, and extensive reading of selected texts. Students create a personal portfolio to demonstrate the individual texts they worked on. Upon successful completion, students can read Dutch texts of at least medium difficulty, understand their main ideas, and translate them with the help of a dictionary and artificial intelligence translation programs.

Level

This course starts at CEFR level 0 and finishes with CEFR level B1 reading skills only.

Study Material

The course uses the book "Dutch for reading Knowledge" by C. van Baalen et al. (hard copy or e-book), ISBN 2.

Overview

• Target group: Researchers, (PhD) students, and university staff
  • Class size: 10-12
  • Language of instruction: English
• Period: 10 September – 3 December 2025 (online, no class on October 22, 2025)
  • Course duration: 12 weeks of classes
  • Schedule: Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00 (GMT +1)
  • Hours per week: 2 hours of classes per week and a minimum of 2 hours of self-study per week
• Fee: €980

Certificate of Participation

Participants will be given a certificate of participation. There is no final exam.