Advanced Dutch Language and Culture

Course goals

Language
By the end of the course students should be able in oral communication to:

1. understand uncomplicated speech in varied domains (TV, radio, lectures, telephone messages, etcetera) and to take notes;
2. initiate, sustain and close a general conversation with a number of topics appropriate to a range of circumstances and subjects.
3. participate in conversations on topics beyond the most immediate daily needs.
4. orally perform a simple but connected discourse, simple narration or descriptions.

In written communication students should be able to:

1. consistently read and understand connected texts dealing with various topics;
2. write letters and short papers on familiar topics.

The Exit level is Advanced Low (AL), as defined in the ACTFL Guidelines.

Culture

1. The main purpose of the culture & society classes is to provide a basic understanding of present-day Dutch society & culture. Attention will be given to various issues pertaining to Dutch culture & society today. Through the reading of articles covering the culture of the Netherlands and the Dutch students learn to understand mainly the inside perspective, in other words the Dutch way of approaching and discussing cultural and society issues.

 
Relationship between assessment and learning goals:
 
Writing tests (together 30%): test the student’s competence in the use of the grammar, syntax and vocabulary discussed in the course book (course goals 5 and 6).
Final reading test (15%): tests the student’s competence in the use of the grammar, syntax and vocabulary (course goal 5).
Oral test (150%): tests the student’s ability competence in the oral use of the grammar, syntax and vocabulary discussed in the course book (course goals 1, 2, 3 and 4).
Culture presentation (15%): tests the student’s ability to research, read, understand and present (in Dutch) academic study material in Dutch and/or other languages (course goals 1, 2, 3, 4, 7).
Book report (25%): tests the student’s ability to read, understand and critically present in writing (in Dutch) his/her understanding of a Dutch novel, and to link this with own knowledge and experiences (course goals 5, 6, 7).

Content