Where Can You Take Dutch Lessons

Where Can You Take Dutch Lessons Everything You Need to Know About Learning Dutch in the UK ChaptersWhy Learn Dutch: A Few Great ReasonsResources to Learn and Review DutchDutch at GCSE LevelHow to Certify Your Dutch Language SkillsIf you long to walk the streets of Amsterdam or Utrecht or any other of the Netherlands’ major cities, or you would like to see for yourself the vast fields of tulips in bloom, you may have already concluded that you should learn to speak Dutch.If you have had the pleasure of enjoying bitterballen with your pint in some intimate club off the beaten path in Rotterdam or photographed those iconic windmills guarding the fields of Holland, you may be captivated by Dutch language and culture as we speak. Lucky you!Your Superprof has something for you whether you are of the first category or the second.Here, we help you to continue your Dutch studies by providing a list of resources to learn with and direct you to ways you can certify your language acquisition.You will also discover some great reasons to learn Dutch... as if you needed any!Let’s kic k this article off with that topic and find out how much we’re in accord, shall we?ühwein; what we term mulled wine.And then, there’s the stick-to-the-ribs meal called stamppot... but then, that is a dish to be eaten year ‘round.Naturally, a craving for epicurean delights is not the only reason to learn Dutch.The Dutch seem obsessed with linguistic brevity. In fact, they converse in much the same manner as we text!Be honest: have you ever told someone (not in a text message) “IDK who that guy is”? Or, while out with mates: “BRB, I want to...”The hyper-efficient Dutch have no problem peppering their speech with such shortcuts, so much so that beginner Dutch learners may find themselves completely bewildered, should they eavesdrop on native speakers’ conversation.The curious-sounding aub represents a surgically precise way of saying please rather than signalling difficulties swallowing.Zgn, ipv, mua... quirky vocabulary you won’t learn in any language course, so it would be best to learn how to speak Dutch so you can discover and use these expressions yourself!Other great reasons to learn Dutch include:An easy second language for English speakers to grasp (you already know some Dutch words!)You will understand English better, if only because you are training your brain to distinguish between languagesThe psychological and cognitive benefits of speaking more than one language are well establishedEnjoy Dutch movies â€" a highly underrated industry that provides a fantastic opportunity to listen to conversational DutchTravel: not just to Holland but to Suriname, Aruba or Curaçao, and be understood once you get there!Cycling: if you love to bike around everywhere, you will feel right at home in Holland!Some of their most endearing idioms centre around the bicycle.Now that you burn and yearn to learn, let us provide you with language training materials!Resources to Learn and Review DutchYou may use a blend of printed and online resources to furthe r your Dutch studies Source: Pixabay Credit: Startup Stock PhotosQuite unfortunately, the language of the Netherlands is not among the list of languages that are considered vital to our country’s future economic growth.That means that there are fewer institutions that offer Dutch language lessons; indeed, Dutch as an elective has been withdrawn from our schools.Nevertheless, as a support network for determined language learners such as you, we know you will strive to master Dutch grammar with or without public education... and we will help you do so!Not just by making our more than 100 Dutch tutors available to you but by presenting resources to make your learning experience all-inclusive.First, you will need a Dutch dictionary.The best of the best in that category would arguably be Van Dale publications, specifically the one targeted to those who intend their language learning to culminate in a certification exam.It is titled Dutch as a Second Language NT2 (in Dutch, of course!) and includes sample sentences, verb conjugations and the proper use of articles de or het for every noun.While you are browsing Amazon for your dictionary, you should also order a copy of Concise Dutch Grammar, preferably the edition that includes poetry and essays, if only to get a closer look at Dutch culture.How better to do that than by sampling literary works?And then, you will need access to spoken Dutch, along with some form of instruction.In both cases, DutchPod101 fits the bill.Suitable for beginners or intermediate level students of Dutch and handy even for those more advanced, this series of language instruction videos  are hosted by lively teachers in their native language.After creating your free profile on their page, you may join the community chat platform; a place where you and other Dutch students from around the world may discuss anything from the lessons at hand to challenges of language learning in general.You may consider participation in that forum a form of p eer tutoring, as students help each other understand difficult to grasp grammar â€" de and het, anyone? You may also help improve fellow learners’ pronunciation!And, don’t forget: Superprof tutors are standing by, ready to help you excel in your language courses!Dutch at GCSE LevelIf you have been learning Dutch at breakneck speed with the intention of demonstrating your grasp of Dutch words and phrases at your school leaving exam, you may take heart in this nugget of news:Although students may no longer select Dutch for their GCSE, they may opt to sit the IGCSE offered by Cambridge International.This exam yields an advantage traditional GCSEs don’t: its results are accepted worldwide!However, that bonus comes at a price: this ordeal is a bit more rigorous than the standard test of language ability  formerly administered through the public school system.Fortunately, you may refer to that organisation’s website for review materials including past papers and marking schemes as well as other study resources they recommend.They also provide instructions on how to register for your exam.At this point, you might wonder: what is the purpose of sitting Dutch GCSEs if the A-Level has been withdrawn and there are no Dutch undergraduate programmes available in the UK?How to Certify Your Dutch Language SkillsIndeed it is quite tragic that Dutch is not as sought after as other languages! Source: Pixabay Credit: PDPWe sympathise with you: after so long and so much effort and hard work put into learning a new language, it seems unfair that there are no avenues to prove you can speak this foreign language in our country.But you are certainly welcome to prove your proficiency in Dutch through the Netherlands’ language certification process!In fact, there are three exams you may choose from; the one probably most suited to your purposes would be the CNaVT.Divided into four bands, each exam is tailored made for any learner’s specific purpose: the tourist, those desir ing to relocate, those who want to work in the Netherlands and those who want to study at a Dutch university.There is a fifth band as well: those who are at near-native speaker or bilingual level... is that you?This proof of your language ability most closely matches the structure of other CEFRL exams: you would be tested purely on your reading and writing ability in Dutch, as well as listening and speaking.If your plan, from the outset, is to relocate, you might consider focusing on the controversial ‘assimilation’ exam which requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of Dutch law and societal convention.This exam requires you to sit a pretest in the UK prior to migrating to the Netherlands for the actual qualifying exam.In fact, if you plan on living in the Netherlands, you will be required to pass this test but, if you’ve successfully demonstrated your ability to speak Dutch through the CNaVT, you may waive the assimilation exam’s pretest.In spit e of Dutch not being a strong contender as a world language, it is a tongue well worth learning: for its unconventional turns of phrase to its absolutely conventional cuisine, this culture and its language deserves to be celebrated.We’re so glad you’re with us on that point!

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Switching Majors

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Switching Majors Deciding on a college major is one of the biggest choices you will makeafter all, it will set you on the path toward a career you'll stick to for the rest of your life, right? Not necessarily! Not only do students often switch majors in college, post-grads end up changing career paths as well. Hence, there may not be as much pressure on this decision as you once thought. However, it is still a choice that should not be made lightly. What if you are at the point where you are considering switching majors? Before you take the plunge, it is crucial to honestly consider these five important questions. 1. Why exactly do I want to switch majors? College coursework can be tough, influence from your peers can be strong, and the desire to take the easy road may be alive and well. However, if any of these reasons alone are why you have decided to switch majors, you may want to step back and do some thinking about the underlying reason you are truly considering this. Switching majors is a significant change for a student, so youll want to make sure you are doing it for reasons that are right for you and only you. No one can answer this question for you, but it is important to be logical in this big move you are about to make. [RELATED: What I Wish I Knew About Picking a College Major] 2. Can I afford to switch majors? This question is two-fold. For one, from a monetary standpoint, switching majors can ring up a rather large bill. Think about it: if you are making a complete change and switching departments or subjects entirely, what is going to happen to all of those credits that you already spent so much time earning? Do any of them carry over to your new major? Will you still be able to graduate on time, or will you have to pay for another semester or two? If any of these potential circumstances are ones you cannot handle at the moment, you may need to reflecton whether or not the major switch is really worth your time and efforts (and theres a possibility it can beyou just have to weigh all the factors). Keep in mind also that you could always go back to school for a second degree down the road. 3. How will this switch benefit me? A college degree is extremely important and can open the doors to many exciting opportunities in the future. However, one question to consider is how much this major change could uniquely benefit your future in ways your current major might not. Some careers require a very specific degree, such as engineering, for instance. However, other careers, such as being a writer, could require an English degree, a journalism degree, or even a communications degree. When making your major switch, think about the career you desire and decide if the change in majors will support this. 4. Could I add a minor instead? Rather than completely changing majors, think about if it would be beneficial to just add a minor in that field of study instead. Minors offer the opportunity to become educated in a certain area, but are easier and faster to obtainnot to mention they also typically require fewer credits for completion. This will save you time and money, which are both valuable. However, some students may find that minors are simply not enough for what they want out of that subject; they may long for the in-depth education a major would provide. Think about your situation to answer this question. [RELATED: Should I Double Major in College?] 5. How do I switch majors? If you decide that a major switch will indeed be beneficial for you, the next step is to take the plunge and make it happen. Changing majors often requires paperwork, so speak with your academic advisor or school counselor to learn the details of the process. You may wish to speak with the financial aid department at your school as well, as some scholarships are dependent on the programs or major you are pursuing. Acting on the decision as soon as possible is ideal so you can get on your new path as efficiently as possible. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.