Ebook: Routledge Intensive Dutch Course

Abingdon: Routledge, 2006. — 440p.Level and target audience
This course in Dutch as a Foreign Language is aimed at users in higher education or evening classes. The course is designed to be used in a classroom context. However, the key and the explanations on grammar do make it possible to use the book for self-study, even though (occasional) assistance from a teacher is advisable.
The book is an accelerated course; it starts completely from scratch and takes you up to a level of competence where you can understand complex language, and where you can express yourself fluently in many different situations. As well as learning practical language skills, you will learn communicative strategies, such as how to adapt your style and tone according to who you are communicating with. And finally, you will gain some knowledge and understanding of Dutch and Flemish culture.Common European Framework
In terms of practical language skills the course is on a par with level B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages. In terms of intellectual competences, such as manipulating language stylistically and language awareness, the course goes beyond this level. The four domains described by the Common European Framework are all present here. Topics and language skills at the start of the course focus on the private domain, i.e. your immediate surroundings in a private context, and increasingly look outwards towards activities in the public domain. In the latter part of the course you will practise skills which are relevant to the world of work and educational contexts, such as holding a debate, writing an argument or giving a presentation. Topics become increasingly abstract and challenging and include areas such as lifestyles, your place in society and national identity.Approach
The distinctive approach of this course lies in its integration of learning the language in relation to its cultural context. The course looks at language in a critical way and asks questions such as: How is language used in particular contexts? Why is it used this way? What are the effects of using certain language structures or certain words? In addition, you will find information on cultural aspects of the Netherlands and Flanders throughout the course, with a particular focus on modern day Flanders and the Netherlands in the last three units.
This course is also distinctive in its approach to the progress of language skills: starling from simple grammar only, while encouraging authentic language use from the start. This ensures that you will learn to manipulate patterns correctly. Focusing initially on simple grammatical patterns only will give you the chance to quickly build up a body of vocabulary.