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Dutch for Reading Knowledge is a course designed for those who are interested in reading Dutch texts. In this course we will focus on Dutch grammar, (personalized) vocabulary, a portfolio, searching in online archives and translation of texts with AI. The book that is used in class focuses - amongst other themes - on (art) history, social policies and (post-)colonial Netherlands. Participants will work on their individual specialisms in small groups, with self-chosen reading materials.
  • Target Group

    Dutch for Reading Knowledge is designed for graduate students preparing for departmental reading/translation exams and/or for those who need to read Dutch for their research. The course does not require any previous knowledge of Dutch.

    If a sufficient number of students register we might offer two courses: one focusing on the America's and its time zone and one on (South-East) Asia and its time zone.

  • Course content

    Students will acquire basic reading vocabulary and understanding of contemporary and older Dutch grammar through analytical discussion, grammar exercises, and extensive reading of selected texts. Students will also create a personal portfolio to demonstrate the individual texts they worked on.

    Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to read Dutch texts of at least medium difficulty, understand their main ideas and translate them with the help of a dictionary and artificial intelligence translation programs. Furthermore we will translate some texts with AI tools and have a closer look at the defaults of the translation and how to correct them.

    This course is offered as a Distance Learning course and a course on location. A distance learning lesson consist of two parts:  
    - Synchronous learning : real-time contact with your fellow students and your teacher in online classes (approx. two hours per session).
    - Asynchronous learning: going through elaborate, guided course materials and doing online tasks and exercises on Canvas, the UvA’s online learning environment.

    The course will be conducted in English.

    Participants will be given a certificate of participation. There is no final exam.

  • Level

    This course starts at CEFR level 0 and finishes with CEFR level B1 reading skills only.

  • Study material

    Dutch for reading Knowledge, C. van Baalen et al., (hard copy or e-book) ISBN 978 90 272 1197 2.

Overview

  • Target group: Researchers, (PhD) students and university staff
  • Class size: 10-12
  • Language of instruction: English
     
  • Period: 7 – 25 July 2025 online
  • Course duration: 3 weeks of classes
  • Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 16:00 - 18:00 (GMT +1)
  • Hours per week: 8 hours of classes per week and a minimum of 8 hours of self-study per week
     
  • Period: 10 September – 3 December 2025 on location (no class on October 22, 2025)
  • Course duration: 12 weeks of classes
  • Schedule: Wednesday 11:00 - 13:00 (GMT +1)
  • Hours per week: 2 hours of classes per week and a minimum of 2 hours of self-study per week
     
  • Period: 10 September – 3 December 2025 online (no class on October 22, 2025)
  • Course duration: 12 weeks of classes
  • Schedule: Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00 (GMT +1)
  • Hours per week: 2 hours of classes per week and a minimum of 2 hours of self-study per week

 

  • Fee: €980

 

Application procedure