Start your beginner Dutch learning journey with our Beginner Dutch: A1.1 Course, designed for learners with no prior knowledge of Dutch or those who wish to refresh the basics. This introductory course builds the foundations needed to communicate in simple everyday situations while developing your understanding of essential Dutch grammar and vocabulary. It is ideal for learners interested in learning Dutch for cultural interest or personal enrichment in a supportive and interactive learning environment.
You will practise communication in situations such as greeting people, introducing yourself, asking and answering basic personal questions, talking about nationality and languages, and using numbers in everyday contexts. Grammar is introduced naturally through these interactions, including subject pronouns, present tense verbs, question formation, articles, negation, and simple sentence structure. Vocabulary and pronunciation are integrated throughout, including personal information, common objects, countries and languages, core question words, and key Dutch vowel and consonant sounds with rhythm and stress patterns.
Delivery mode for individual classes will vary from term to term, but will be listed as the following:
- Face-to-Face: WEA Sydney
- Online: via Zoom / Microsoft Teams
Communication
- Greeting people, saying goodbye, thanking someone, and apologising
- Introducing yourself and asking someone’s name
- Asking where someone is from and responding
- Talking about nationality and languages spoken
- Saying simple numbers, age, and phone numbers
- Asking simple questions such as “What is this?” and “Where is…?”
Grammar
- Pronouns: ik, jij, hij, u, wij and others
- Verb forms: present tense of key verbs, especially zijn and hebben
- Questions: inversion in simple questions (Kom je uit…?)
- Articles: de, het, een
- Negation: niet and geen
- Sentence structure: subject + verb + complement
- Word order in simple statements (Ik ben…, Ik kom uit…)
Phonetics
- Vowels: a / aa, e / ee, ui, eu (vowel contrasts)
- Sounds: g and ch (consonant pronunciation)
- Rhythm: basic sentence rhythm and stress
Vocabulary
- Personal information: name, age, nationality, profession, place of origin
- Numbers (0–100) and quantity expressions
- Common objects and surroundings
- Countries, languages, and nationalities
- Possessive pronouns and family members
- Question words: wie, wat, waar
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Communicate in Dutch in simple situations such as greetings, introductions, and exchanging personal information.
- Use fundamental grammar structures including present tense verbs, articles, negation, and basic question forms.
- Apply essential vocabulary and pronunciation features to participate in beginner-level everyday interactions.
