1. The necessary practical communicative skills for real-life situations

• Speaking skills/Interaction - At the end of the course you will be able to have short and simple conversations in everyday interaction.
• Speaking/Production - At the end of the course you will be able to use a series of phrases to e.g. introduce yourself, your family and other people, to talk about your background and education, to describe your environment and living conditions.
• Listening skills - By listening to simple texts you get acquainted with the Dutch standard language. At the end of the course you can understand phrases and frequently used vocabulary related to areas of immediate personal relevance such as personal and family information, shopping, local area, education.
• Reading skills - At the end of the course you will be able to read simple, short texts on day-to-day items such as leaflets, course schedules, timetables, menus.
• Writing skills - At the end of the course you will be able to write short messages e.g. an invitation, holiday greetings on a postcard, an email asking for information. You will also be able to fill in forms with personal information such as a hotel registration form.

2. Basic knowledge of phonology, vocabulary, grammar and spelling, all in function of the communicative skills for real-life situations

3. A crash course introduction to Belgium such as Belgian daily life, politics and culture, peculiar habits, the varieties of Dutch

This basic course is inspired by the action-based approach (CEFR). It pays special attention to interactive learning and the environment of the student, enriched with cultural components such as Belgian daily life, politics and culture, peculiar habits, the varieties of Dutch.

During interactive classes the different language skills will be practised in combination with activating lectures that provide the students with the basic knowledge of phonology, vocabulary, grammar and spelling.

Assignments will be made in class, in groups, pairs or individually. More information about the course programme, homework and suggestions for additional exercises will be published on the electronic learning environment.

During extramural activities such as a guided tour through the city of Ghent, students can practise their skills in real-life situations.

• No prior knowledge of Dutch is required
• Basic knowledge of English 

The student is able to communicate in Dutch at basic level - CEFR level Basic user (A1-A2).

• CEFR A1 - Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
• CEFR A2 - Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly

The student has basic knowledge of the Belgian culture and social life.

• Students can ask questions during classes.
• Students can contact the lecturer by email.
• Students find extra information on the electronic learning environment.