PRIOR TO SIGNING UP:
We recommend the full level assessment:

STEP 1: Do this multiple choice test (receptive skills) – approximately 30-45 minutes (skip this step if you are sure you have B1 level or higher)
STEP 2: If you score level 3 or higher in step 1: do this extra fill-the-gap test (productive skills) – 12 minutes
STEP 3: If you score level 4 or higher in step 2 OR if you doubt about the recommended level: call us for an oral intake / level consultation (speaking and listening skills) – 5-10 minutes, if you score . You can call us on +31648074618 any day of the week between 10 and 22 o’clock.

Please note: the best course for you might be different after an oral intake than advised in STEP 1 and 2 if your level of speaking is a lot better/worse than the ability to do tests. For the best possible advice, include STEP 3.

AFTER SIGNING UP:
-> no need to to the test (again) if you have done the STEPS (above) and you booked the recommended level
-> if you booked level 1: no need to do the test if you have no prior knowledge; with prior knowledge: please do STEP 1
-> if you booked level 2: please, do STEP 1
-> if you booked level 3: please, do STEP 1 + STEP 2
-> if you booked level 4 or higher: please, do STEP 2 + STEP 3
-> is the level advised after the test different than the level you booked: do STEP 3
-> have you studied a lot since signing up: do the level test(s) again, not later han 4 weeks prior to the course

GOOD TO KNOW:
– no need to do the level test again if you repeat a level at our school
– having done a previous level at our school does not automatically mean that you are ready for the next level (because we have no exam at the end)

CEFR

CEFR = the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It distinguishes the levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. It’s a way to identify how well someone speaks a (foreign) language. Many language schools and books use this classification.

But, the steps between the CEFR levels are not equal in terms of study load.

The corresponding vocabulary knowledge illustrates this: level A1: 1000 words, level A2: 2000 words, level B1: 4000-5000 words, level B2: 10000 words. So, it takes much more time to go from B1 to B2 than from A1 to A2.

OUR LEVELS

As we organise intensive 9-day courses, we determined our own levels. We chopped the entire journey from 0 to B2 into equal parts. Each level corresponds to an intensive Dutch course of 9-10 days class. The levels are successive. You can find the level descriptions below.

To go from 0 to A1 -> level 1.
To go from A1 to A2 -> level 2.
To go from A2 to B1 -> level 3+4 (+ real life speaking experience)
To go from B1 to B2 -> level 5+6+R (+ real life speaking experience)

Noticing improvement

When you go from A1 to A2, you will notice a big improvement. You will double your vocabulary knowledge. You will learn frequently used words and basic grammar constructions that you use in almost every sentence. You will ‘feel’ a lot of progress.

Progress on the higher levels feels different. Once you reach B1, you might enlarge your vocabulary with just 10-15% in a single course. And you will learn more exceptions than rules. You will ‘feel’ less improvement. But that doesn’t mean that the step that you do in a single course is smaller!

LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

COURSE	ENTRANCE LEVEL DESCRIPTION	COURSE OBJECTIVES
LEVEL 1 – Total beginner (from 0 tot A1)	Entrance level = 0: You have never studied Dutch. Or you have done an introduction course up to A1 level, but you don’t master the content. Do the level test to see if you are not over-qualified for this level.	Target level = A1.At this level we do lessons 1-9 from ‘Het Lesboek-1’.  Table of contents + introduction + lesson 1: click here. Course objectives: click here to see the ‘review’ pages at the end of this level.
LEVEL 2 (from A1 to A2)	Entrance level = A1: You score at least (close to) level 2 in this test. You have completed an introduction course up to A1 level, where you spent at least 60-100 hours* on studying (including self-study). It is important that you really master the content of that course (‘doing a course’ is not the same as ‘mastering the content’!). You can do this level too, if you master the content of Bart de Pau’s online course #dutchgrammar (part 1) in combination with ‘1000 most common words in Dutch’ (both available on learndutch.org).Required prior knowledge: you need to know at least 750-1000 words and the basic elements of grammar, such as: conjugation of verbs, main clause word order, inversion word order, structure of questions, plural nouns, possessive adjectives, modal verbs, comparative, diminutive, behaviour of adjectives with de/het words, (present) perfect tense. Skills: you can understand very basic phrases. You can introduce yourself. You can ask and answer questions about personal details. You can can interact in a simple way (saying what you want, need) provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help. Is it a problem if you have no real experience speaking Dutch? It’s OK if your knowledge is still ‘passive’. In short: you’ll need to choose the right answer from a multiple choice question, but we understand that applying all elements of the basic grammar correctly in a split-second is still a challenge. Reference 1: if your introduction course was a self study program like Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur or Duolingo; that’s in itself not enough to enroll at this level successfully, because these programs do not cover the required grammar. This can be compensated by completing #dutchgrammar part 1. Reference 2: is it some time ago you did the introduction course? Then make sure you review all the materials in advance! Reference 3: if you studied with ‘Nederlands in Gang’ before: have you come halfway (until chapter 9) and you master the first half of the book really well, then this is the right level to book. Have you completed the book but you don’t really know the content well: then this is the right level to book (instead of level 3). Reference 4: Have you completed the ‘Inburgeringsexamen buitenland’ (the exam of the Dutch embassy/consulate at A1 level), then please be advised that level 2 might be too hard. The reason: the materials for this specific exam do not cover too much of grammar. You might compensate this by completing the online course #dutchgrammar-1. Reference 5: Are you somewhere between A1 and A2 level, and learning for your Inburgering-exam (and having passed perhaps some, but not all of the A2 components) then this is the right level to book.	Target level = A2.At this level we’ll cover lessons 10-18 from ‘Het Lesboek-1’. Table of contents + introduction + lesson 10: click here. Course objectives: click here to see the ‘review’ pages at the end of this level in the book.
LEVEL 3 (from A2 to A2+)	Entrance level = A2. You have completed a course up to level A2, where you spent at least 100-200 hours* on studying (including self-study). Preferably, you have some speaking experience in a Dutch environment.Knowledge: you know at least 1500-2000 words. Apart from the required basic grammar as specified for the previous level, you know: separable verbs, reflexive verbs, combinations of verbs and prepositions, the imperative, special verb constructions (‘te’ + infinitive, ‘aan het’ + infinitive), simple past tense, future tense, subclause word order.Skills: apart from the extra required prior knowledge (vocabulary and grammar), the difference with the previous level is that you should be able to apply the basic grammar in speech. So, the knowledge that is specified as required knowledge for level 2, you need to be able to apply actively. Please note the difference between ‘active’ and ‘passive’ knowledge: ‘passive’ knowledge = you’re able to choose the right answer from multiple choice questions; active knowledge = you’re able to use it). Generally, this means that speaking experience in a Dutch environments is required OR the A2 course that you did before included a lot of speaking exercises. Reference 1: For most people it will be difficult to reach the required entry level with only self-study as prior learning. Starting from scratch and only studying online (without interaction with a teacher or Dutch people) will not bring everyone to level A2. Doing Bart de Pau’s online courses #dutchgrammar-1 + #dutchgrammar-2 + 1000 most common words in Dutch will provide you with the required passive knowledge. However, you’ll need to find a way to practise (speaking with Dutch people). Exception: if you’re a talent or native speaker of German or a Scandinavian language, you might reach A2 level with only online learning. Reference 2: If you finished the following frequently used books ‘Nederlands in Gang’, ‘De Opmaat’, ‘Contact’ in a group course (not self study!), you should subscribe for this level. Reference 3: If you have passed all the elements of the ‘inburgering’ exam at A2 level and you managed to keep the level, then this is the right level to book. If it’s a long time a ago and you didn’t speak or learned Dutch after passing the exam, then it’s strongly recommended to do the level test.	Target level = A2+ At this level we’ll cover lessons 1-9 from ‘Het Lesboek-2’. Table of contents + introduction + lesson 1: click here. Course objectives: click here to see the ‘review’ pages at the end of this level in the book.
LEVEL 4 (from A2+ to B1)	Entrance level = A2+. Prior study: you have completed one or more courses with a total study load of at least 180-250 hours* (including self study), and preferably a significant amount of speaking experience. Knowledge: you know at least 2500-3000 words. Apart from the required basic grammar as specified for the previous 2 levels, you know 5 uses of the word ‘er’, the modal verb ‘hoeven’ and more detailed some earlier discussed subjects: (in)separable verbs, reflexive verbs (by accident), exceptions of: adjectives and plural nouns, more detailed us of imperative, modal verbs, demonstrative pronouns, special verb constructions.The main difference between this level and the previous level is that here you should be able to apply all basic grammar (as specified for the previous levels) actively in speech. A person on this level is able to quickly construct sentences (without thinking) and can say things in different ways (though: there still will be a lot of mistakes in speaking). Typically, the student on this level has reviewed the vocabulary and grammar of the previous levels several times. The knowledge has reached the ‘long term’ memory. Good to know 1: Have you previously done a course up to level A2? It might be tempting to choose this level, because ‘A2’ is in our level description. What is important to know is that there is a gap between finishing frequently used books as ‘Nederlands in Gang’, ‘De Opmaat’ and ‘Contact’ and this level. For most students it will be better to subscribe to our level 3, unless you’re very talented or have a lot of speaking experience.	Target level = B1. At this level we’ll cover lessons 10-18 from ‘Het Lesboek-2’. Table of contents + introduction + lesson 10: click here. Course objectives: click here to see the ‘review’ pages at the end of this level in the book.
Level 5 (B1/B2 part 1)	Anyone in the range B1-B2 can participate in this course.The minimum entrance level = B1: to get the B1 level you have completed more courses with a total study load of at least 250-400 hours* (including self study) and you have a significant amount of speaking experience, preferably an equal amount as the amount of study. Knowledge: you know at least 4000-5000 words. You can apply the grammar as specified in levels 1-4. You know more complicated grammar constructions, like the past perfect, the relative sub clause and complicated constructions with multiple verbs. And you can apply all functions of “er” without thinking. You know common expressions. Important to understand: you can’t go from level B1 to B2 in one course! The journey from B1 to B2 is a much bigger step (in time and efforts) than going for example from A1 to A2. This is a course on the B1/B2 level rather than from B1 to B2. In order to reach B2 level you need multiple courses and above all: lots and lots of real life speaking experience (preferably 3-6 months speaking Dutch full time in a Dutch environment from the moment you reached B1 level). That is why we offer this level, as level 5, 6 and R.	Target level = B1+/B2 At this level we’ll cover lessons 1-9 from ‘Het Lesboek – deel 3’.(we’ll add the table of contents later – the book is almost finished)
Level 6 (B1/B2 part 2)	Level 6 has the same entrance level as level 5. The minimum entrance level = B1. But the topics that we discuss in level 6 are a continuation of level 5, therefore this level can only be enrolled if you have completed level 5.	Target level = B1+/B2 At this level we’ll cover lessons 10-18 from ‘Het Lesboek – deel 3’.(we’ll add the table of contents later – the book is almost finished)
Level R (B1/B2 for ‘returners’)	B1/B2. You have completed our previous 6 levels or you have completed courses elsewhere that brought you to a level between strong B1 and B2. Knowledge: you know at least 4000-5000 words. You know more complicated constructions like the passive voice and ‘zouden’.As mentioned above: to reach B2 you need multiple courses on this level (and real life practise). A single course or a single book can never bring you from B1 to B2. There are a lot of students who have gone through levels 1-6 and want to return at a later stage to continue to study with us: to refresh, review and further improve their knowledge of Dutch and to complete the journey from B1 to B2. At this level, it’s not about learning new grammar. It’s all about applying well what we taught (on the levels 1-6). And we’ll cover lots of different themes during the course to build your vocabulary and language knowledge around specific topics. We’ll alternatively use the books ‘Nederlands op Niveau’ and ‘De Finale’ and cover half the book during one course. B2 level corresponds to a total active knowledge of around 10,000 words. In every level you learn around 1000 new words (in a context). Have you completed levels 1-6 and additionally you did the 4 level R courses. And have you spoken a lot of Dutch in your daily life. Then you’re likely to have reached the B2 level!	During one course we’ll alternatively cover one of the following (parts of the) books: ‘Nederlands op Niveau’ – first half ‘Nederlands op Niveau’ – second half ‘De Finale’ – first half ‘De Finale’ – second halfTarget level if you do all the levels R = B2.

* the amount of hours of study: based on higher educated learners, who have experience in learning foreign languages; if you are a slow learner, if you have never learned a foreign language, if you didn’t have grammar education in school, it might take a higher time investment to reach the mentioned level

The level assessment is mandatory, except:
– if you book level 1
– you repeat a level at our school
– in some special situations, outlined in our policy

Cick here to read our entire detailed level test policy.

IMPORTANT
You do the level test for the benefit of your own learning process, but also for your own rights:
– you can have the right to cancel free of charge within 14 days after booking if you fail to pass the level test
– you can switch courses* free of charge up to 4 weeks prior to the course, if you do the level test (again) and it shows a level that differs from the level you booked
– without level assessment that confirms you booked the right level, you risk being denied to class at the start of the course if you don’t have the minimum required entrance level (one of the requirements); regular cancellation terms apply

The 7 levels of BLC’s Dutch courses are specified above:
– the required entrance level of a course and the target level of a course using the CEFR framework (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) and further specifications
– the learning objectives and the course content

Certificate:
The certificate will be issued based on attendance: being present at least 80% of the lessons and having completed at least 80% of the self study materials (online videos and exercises). This is in accordance with the NRTO terms and conditions. There is no exam at the end of a course.

Example:

Target level:
The target level is not the guaranteed end level at the end of the course. If you attend all the lessons, you do all the homework and you know everything you’ve learned during the course, then your level will likely correspond to the achieved level. Nevertheless, it depends on your efforts and personal factors:

Positive factors
– you know the German language (or a Scandinavian language)
– you are talented in learning foreign languages
– you speak a lot of Dutch outside the classes
– you attend all the classes and do all the homework
– you spend extra time on reviewing the materials after the course (learning a language is not only about learning new things, you also need to review the things you learned before!)

Negative factors:
– you don’t have the right entrance level at the start of the course (the course is too intensive to close the gap!)
– you don’t do the homework
– you skip class
– it’s a significant time ago since you studied Dutch (you might have previously acquired the right entrance level, but forgotten a lot since then)
– you never studied another foreign language before
– you’ve never had grammar instruction at school (in your own language)
– you don’t meet the student requirements
– with intensive courses: you have too much hassle in your daily life that you don’t have the right focus (don’t book an intensive day course to combine it with work at the same time!)

If you plan to book more levels after each other:
The above mentioned factors are extra important if you plan to book more than one level after each other! Especially with intensive courses. If you book the next level without a break to review the materials, it is extremely important that you reach the target level at the end of the course. This might not be a problem if the above mentioned positive factors apply to you. A general advice: take a break between levels and review the materials first!

Good to know:
– we’ve planned the course dates of our virtual classrooms with a short break between two levels.
– intensive courses: doing two levels in a row is usually doable; but 3 or 4 levels can be huge challenge; please take into account that the intensity is high; many students will have an ’empty battery’ after 4 weeks …
– redoing a level is not a failure but sometimes a very wise decision: with a language you learn more by reviewing than by progressing too fast; if you feel your plan was too ambitious, contact us in time to see if it’s possible to re-do a level instead of doing the next level.

> 4 weeks prior to the start of the course
Up to 4 weeks prior to the start of the course, we offer the option to switch levels free of charge, in case:
– a (new) level test recommends a level that is different from the level you have booked
– AND you contact us immediately afterwards for a new oral intake (STEP 3)

Please note the following:
– we do not offer all levels on the same dates
– our groups get full early (usually more than 4 weeks prior to the course); switching to a different level on the same date is only possible if there are available spots
– because of the above mentioned: switching to a different course date might be needed
– if switching to a new course date is needed (and you booked our language campus): please note that the same room type might not be available
– you will be able to choose from various future dates that have availability
– in case the new course is more expensive, there might be an additional fee to settle the price difference
– if no future dates fit your schedule, you can still opt for the regular cancellation terms

Recommendation: because of the above mentioned complications, we recommend NOT to wait till 4 weeks prior to the start of the course, to make sure you booked the right level.

< 4 weeks prior to the start of the course Less than 4 weeks prior to the start of the course, you can still change courses/levels. In this case the regular cancellation policy applies:
– 30% will be charged more than 2 weeks prior to the course if you want to change courses
– 50% will be charged less than 2 weeks prior to the course if you want to change courses
But, we might waive the cancellation costs in case someone on the waiting list is willing to take your spot.

After the start of the course
In general: it is not possible to change levels/courses after the start of the course. The cancellation policy: 100% will be charged. Special situations: we sometimes get requests from students after the start of the course, especially at our language campus in Drenthe. They notice a higher group is not full, speak with someone from that group, and come with the request. And then the debate starts. We have one golden rule: we do not discuss those requests, for the following reasons:
– often, the request does not come from the strongest student in the group
– often, the request comes from someone who did not do the full level assessment prior to the course (including oral intake)
– students might judge eeach other’s skills differently than teachers
– students might judge their knowledge differently, “I’ve learned this already” is different than mastering the content
– Drenthe: the room planning, who sleeps in which house, group planning and timetables are depending on the level

Therefore: in a rare occasion, when there is a possibility and a need, it’s the teacher who might initiate a level switch at the end of day 1 or 2.  Of course, by mutual agreement. The teachers speak with each other and the have a total picture of all the groups, the room planning, level assessment prior to the course, if someone has contacted us for an oral intake, if someone was on the waiting list.

So please do not book expecting that you can arrange things once you are there!