Minor Dutch Language & Culture

This minor focuses on developing real-life language skills and cultural confidence. You will learn to communicate in Dutch, understand how Dutch-speaking workplaces operate, and reflect on your own cultural identity at the same time. Whether you are preparing for a work placement, planning to stay after graduation or simply want to feel more at home, this minor will help you achieve your goals.

Over 18 weeks, you will explore how to become a confident participant in Dutch-speaking cultures through four phases: 

• Assessing your language level and setting goals
• Engaging in independent study, cultural events and research planning
• Reading activity and preparing for fieldwork
• Fieldwork in Dutch-speaking context and final presentation

Along the way, you will develop language skills, cultural awareness and research expertise, culminating in a final presentation that combines your findings with personal reflections.

More information:

Language of instruction

English.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements for BUas students:

• Non-Dutch-speaking international degree-seeking students
• Propaedeutic certificate obtained
• No prior knowledge of the Dutch language required

Admission requirements for external students:

• Non-Dutch-speaking international degree-seeking students
• Propaedeutic certificate obtained
• No prior knowledge of the Dutch language required

Learning outcomes & competencies

This minor develops Dutch language proficiency and intercultural competence through two core learning outcomes from the BUas Tourism Management framework, tailored to individual starting levels and learning goals.

ILO 3: Social/Cultural Skills
In this minor, students will:

• Develop Dutch language skills across reading, writing, listening, and speaking
• Demonstrate cultural knowledge and sensitivity to participate respectfully and confidently in Dutch-speaking communities
• Promote intercultural collaboration and reflect on how personal norms and values influence professional actions, according to the principle of action-reaction (psychology/sociology)
• Communicate clearly and respectfully, fostering positive group dynamics

ILO 4: Resilience Skills
In this minor, students will:

• Adapt to new social, cultural, and educational environments
• Show flexibility in adjusting to new cultural and linguistic norms
• Demonstrate self-reflection on personal growth and effective use of feedback
• Participate actively with an open mind and form meaningful relationships

Topics and structure of the minor

The minor is structured around an overarching question: ‘How do I become a confident participant in Dutch speaking cultures?’ This journey takes you through four phases over 18 weeks.

Phase 1: Starting point (Weeks 1-2)
Guiding questions: Who am I? Who are we as a community? Where do I want to be in 18 weeks?

• Language level assessment and goal setting
• Reflection on current ideas and interests related to Dutch-speaking cultures
• Establishing a code of conduct as a learning community

Phase 2: Exploration (Weeks 3-9)
Guiding questions: What aspects are there to explore? How can I create experiences? What do I want to explore further?

• Independent language work combined with weekly campus sessions
• Cultural exploration through ‘Culture Café’ presentations (individual topics)
• Cultural events (group-organised cultural experiences)
• Cultural workshops and guest lectures
• Selection of personal research focus for fieldwork

Phase 3: Preparation and participation (Weeks 10-13)
Guiding questions: What do I bring to the table? How do I prepare to participate fully?

• Continued language development
• Research methodology and fieldwork planning
• Reading activity (book review and cultural mural)
• Preparation of research proposal for fieldwork

Phase 4: Immersion and reflection (Weeks 14-18)
Guiding questions: What is it like to immerse myself fully? What have I learned? Where do I go from here?

• Fieldwork: Cultural immersion and language practice in a Dutch-speaking context
• Data collection and reflection on cultural experiences
• Final presentation combining research findings with personal journey
• Portfolio completion and minor evaluation

Teaching & assessment

Teaching hours 
On average, 12–14 hours of on-campus education take place across three days per week. We aim to maintain this schedule throughout the semester, keeping it as fixed and structured as possible.

Assessment
Learning is demonstrated through a variety of data points across the semester, such as cultural events, demonstrations of language progress, cultural workshops and presentations of fieldwork. Feedback is provided through peer evaluation, teacher observation and portfolio assessment.

Required study material

Supporting learning materials are included in the minor tuition, except
the text-and workbook of the used method in our Dutch language unit.

Additional costs

Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements and accommodation costs during weeks 14-15 in the fieldwork phase.

Minor coordinator

Jeroen Hol: [email protected]