Overview
Course summary
Whether you're taking your first steps to learn another language or are at an advanced level, our courses will help you to communicate confidently in your chosen language.
You will find our classes characterised by an atmosphere of lively debate and enjoyment in learning and, whether you are looking to improve your language skills for professional or personal reasons, our wide range of languages and entry levels make the University of Westminster the ideal place to study.
Who is this class for?
Dutch Beginner is the first exposure to the language, allowing you to start to communicate.
The course is made up of three parts. If you're an absolute beginner, you should start with Part 1. For those who've done some study before, you may be able to join Part 2 or Part 3 directly – contact us if you're unsure of your level by using the details at the bottom of the page.
Our beginner's course is made up of three parts, Part One, Part Two and Part Three. Each part builds on what you've learnt previously.
At the beginner level:
- Part One is for you if you have no or little previous knowledge of Dutch
- Part Two is for you if you have completed Part One, or if you have studied Dutch for about 20 hours
- Part Three is for you if you have completed Parts One and Two, or if you have studied Dutch for about 40 hours
You can skip Part One and proceed straight to joining Part Two or Three if you have prior experience. If you’re not sure of your level, email us via the contact details at the bottom of this page.
If you can't see the part you need in the booking table, please check back, as we add more dates throughout the year.
Terms and conditions
Download our:
Course structure
Teaching
Our Dutch lessons follow a communicative approach to language teaching, focusing on the language you need to communicate in authentic situations with an emphasis on speaking and listening. Our evening classes are taught by experienced language teachers who are native speakers of the language or equivalent.
Please note that the distribution of course content across terms may vary from year to year. This is due to the variable length of terms in different academic years. There may also be slight content variations at the discretion of the tutor. We may, for example, include additional content when general progress is good, or vary content according to students’ interests.
Learning resources
The course is based on our own materials.
You can join Part One, Two or Three of the course depending on your prior experience.
In Part One of the Dutch Beginners course, you'll cover the following topics and grammar:
Topics
In this term, we will cover:
- personal introductions, cordial phrases
- the alphabet
- days of the week
- numbers 1–100
- countries, cities, nationalities and languages
- describing and introducing yourself and family members
- request-type situations for shops, restaurants, at the station
Grammar
You will learn:
- verbs in the present tense
- personal pronouns ( ik, je, hij, zij, het, wij, zij)
- definite and indefinite articles (de, het, a, an een)
- basic adjectives (groot, klein, oud, duur)
- basic prepositions ( in, met, van, tot, voor, na,)
- making simple questions with or without a question word
- demonstrative pronouns (deze, dit, dat, deze, die)
Part Two builds on what you learnt in Part One, covering the following topics and grammar:
Topics
In this term, we will cover:
- telling the time
- months, dates, birthdays and related vocabulary
- all numbers, including ordinal numbers
- describing things and events
- shopping and food
- expressing likes and dislikes (hobbies)
- talking about your daily routine
- talking about trips and travelling
Grammar
You will learn:
- more verbs both regular and irregular (e.g. nemen, zien, ‘blijven)
- modal verbs (moeten, mogen, zullen, kunnen)
- future tense
- separable verbs (opstaan, aankomen, terugkomen)
- word order (time–manner–place and inversion)
- imperative
- subordinating clauses
Part Three is the final level of the Dutch Beginners course, and covers the following topics and grammar:
Topics
In this term, we will cover:
- weather
- idiomatic expressions and sayings
- describing appearance
- describing things and events
- checking in at a hotel and at the airport
- plans and intentions
- my house
Grammar
You will learn:
- adjective agreement, comparative, superlative
- reflexive verbs (to feel ‘zich voelen’, to remember ‘zich herinneren’, to get dressed ‘zich aankleden’)
- introduction to the past tense
- diminutives (little book ‘boekje’, little cup ‘kopje’)
- possessive pronouns (e.g. mijn, jouw, haar)
- negation
- word order in relative clauses
Booking
Important note for Part 1 January start: Please note that two lessons will run in week 9. One lesson will be held on 20 March 2025 and the final lesson takes place on 21 March 2025, which means there is no teaching the following week.
Discounts and booking deadlines
Take advantage of the Early Bird discount on Part 1! Offer ends Sunday 1 December 2024.
We offer a 10% discount to our undergraduate and postgraduate students and alumni. To receive your discount code, please contact us before booking your course.
Online courses – January start
Standard Fee per Part: £365
Take advantage of our Early Bird Fee on Part 1 and save 5%.
The booking deadline is 10 days prior to the start date of each Part.
Online courses – September start
- Standard Fee per Part: £300
The booking deadline is 10 days prior to the start date of each Part.
On-campus courses – October start
- Standard Fee per Part: £365
The booking deadline is 10 days prior to the start date of each Part.
Language courses term dates
Online courses – September start
- Part 1: 16 September 2024 – 05 December 2024 12 weeks
- Part 2: 20 January 2025 – 10 April 2025 12 weeks
- Part 3: 28 April 2025 – 28 July 2025 (Monday courses) 12 weeks*
- Part 3: 22 April 2025 – 10 July 2025 (Tuesday - Thursday) 12 weeks
*Bank holidays: Monday 21 April, Monday 5 May, Monday 26 May
On-campus courses – September start
- Part 1: 30 September 2024 – 05 December 2024 10 weeks
- Part 2: 20 January 2025 – 27 March 2025 10 weeks
- Part 3: 28 April 2025 – 14 July 2025 (Monday courses) 10 weeks*
- Part 3: 22 April 2025 – 26 June 2025 (Tuesday -Thursday courses) 10 weeks
*Bank holidays: Monday 21 April, Monday 5 May, Monday 26 May
Looking for another language or level?
If we don't currently offer the language or level you're looking for, please register your interest with us, and we will get in touch if the course becomes available.
How we're delivering courses
Online courses
Why study with us?
- small class sizes
- highly qualified native speakers (or equivalent)
Our interactive online courses provide real-time lessons with an expert tutor to practise speaking and listening. You will benefit from live, face-to-face engagement with experienced language teachers in an online, virtual classroom.
Wherever you are in the world, you'll become part of the University of Westminster's global community. You can be assured of a warm welcome here, where your wellbeing, the quality of our teaching and your learning experience are our priorities.
What do you need for an online class?
To get the most from the course, you will need:
- a reliable internet connection
- a PC or laptop with webcam and microphone and a modern web browser installed
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
Take a look around our virtual classrooms
On-campus courses
Why study with us?
- small class sizes
- highly qualified native speakers (or equivalent)
Location and facilities
Most classes are held at our historic headquarters building at 309 Regent Street. This is a dedicated teaching building with purpose-designed facilities.
Our location near Oxford Circus means we're right in the heart of central London, with excellent transport links.
Meet the teacher
We're arranging online meet the teacher sessions where you can discuss your language level, meet our teachers and find out more about our courses. If you're interested, please register via this form and we'll contact you with further information.
Book nowGo to registration page for Meet the teacher sessions
Interested in one-to-one tuition?
Our flexible one-to-one language courses focus on your needs to help you progress with the language of your choice. Lessons can be tailored to your needs, level and capability.
This course is ideal for highly motivated students who want to make quick progress in improving their language skills. Lesson times are flexible.
If you're interested, please apply via this form, and we'll be in touch with further information.
