Objectives and content
This course comprises a conversation and a writing module for advanced learners.
- In the conversation module, you will learn how to express yourself fluently and spontaneously without any preparation and without much obvious searching for expressions. You can understand more difficult and longer texts, similar to those you will encounter during your studies. You can also recognize implicit meaning. You can use Dutch flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Specific tasks with recent and universal topics focus on different aspects of oral skills: pronunciation, fluency, accuracy, register, idioms, etc. The oral exercises require a preparation before each session (reading a journal, watching the news, gathering information,etc.) and an assimilation task afterwards.
- In the writing module, you will learn how to understand longer and more challenging texts, similar to those you will encounter during your studies. You will also be able to recognize implicit meaning and use Dutch flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. You will learn how to produce clear, well-structured and detailed texts on more complicated topics, with a well-considered structure, clear cohesion and good use of linking words. Different text types will be dealt with: notes, papers, letters, reports, etc. Writing a text is hereby considered as an integrated skill including attention to structure, grammatical correctness, style, writing purpose, register and a repetition of specific challenges of the Dutch language.
Required prior knowledge
- You have an official B2 certificate.
- You are an 'independent user' of the Dutch language.
- You can understand the gist of a complicated tekst, both on concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussion in your own field of expertise.
- You can react in such a fluent and spontaneous way that a normal exchange with native speakers is possible without extra effort for one on the parties.
- You can produce a clear, detailed text on a large number of topics.
- You can explain a viewpoint on a recent matter and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different options.
Tests
There is a placement test.
To follow this course, you need a B2 certificate. Participants who obtained a high score in the orientation test, will then be invited to take the ITNA test. To register for this course, the B2 certificate remains valid for a period of two years.
The Final Test of Level 6 is the ITNA Test B2 and C1. For more information about this test, see Over de test (in Dutch).
Course materials
UCT course book. You will receive this book from your teacher in class.
Recommended books:
- Van Dale Pocketwoordenboek Nederlands als tweede taal, Utrecht: Van Dale
- Giezenaar, G en Schouten, E,: Wijze woorden - Woordenlijst Academisch Nederlands met idioomoefeningen, Intertaal
- Peter Schoenaerts, Helga Van Loo (2018). Thematische woordenschat Nederlands voor Anderstaligen. Intertaal. ISBN 978-90-5451-698-9
If you buy one of these books at Standaard Boekhandel Shopping Zuid, Woodrow Wilsonplein 4, 9000 Gent (in the campus shop next to the shop), you will receive a discount of 10% on the official price. Make sure to mention that you take a language course at the UCT.
Are you already registered for this course? Check out our FAQ ‘What to do after my registration?’.