Programme info

The programme starts with a welcome week in September and ends in June. Classes are organized at the City Campus (Stadscampus).

The programme consists of 480 contact hours (60 credits) and meets the requirement for obtaining a student visa.

This fulltime programme consists of 15 hours of daytime classes per week.

Class groups consist of approximately 15-19 students so teachers can take an interactive, communicative approach in which all students’ needs are addressed.

• You master the Dutch language to the B2-level required by the institutions for higher education in Flanders and the Netherlands.
• You progress from language proficiency level A1 (absolute beginner) to B2 (Interuniversitary Language Test for Dutch as a Foreign Language) at a very quick pace. In the Dutch Language Acquisition course you complete five modules providing you with the necessary building blocks in order to speak, write, read and listen in Dutch. In order to enhance the language acquisition process you devote particular attention to Dutch Phonetics and Pronunciation.
• Developing your Dutch language skills, you gain insight in diverse aspects of Flemish culture and society. The assignments for the Academic Skills course will make you familiar with Flemish academic life. You are informed about Flemish higher education system.
• You have been invited to participate in open class days at the University of Antwerp.
• You have been encouraged to join the buddy system in which you meet Dutch speaking students and practice your language skills outside the classroom.

Contrary to popular belief, new languages can be learnt rapidly and effectively. Our students are taught in stimulating environments and guided by highly skilled, motivated teachers. The key characteristics of our programme are interaction, a result-oriented approach and high student engagement. We are a long-standing, trusted institution that takes language learning seriously.

All our language teachers are native speakers with university qualifications. They participate regularly in conferences and workshops so that they are up-to-date with the most recent developments in language teaching.

Our teaching approach is communicative, interactive and task-oriented. We make sure there is continuous interaction among the students and expect everyone to participate actively in class.

We combine the best approaches from old and new teaching methods to ensure that students can access the target language in a way that works for them. We provide both paper-based and digital learning materials.

Besides communication and interaction, we also focus on accuracy and correctness. This way, students will be prepared for the high level expected of them during their higher education studies.

Information on the subjects:

• Language Acquisition (11 hrs/week) is divided into five levels, starting at absolute beginner level and finishing at advanced level (Level 1: beginner, Levels 2 and 3: intermediate, Levels 4 and 5: advanced). The classes help students acquire the building blocks of the Dutch language effectively and interactively. Students must pass the exam test at the end of each language level before they can move on to the next one. If students fail an exam, they can take it again one week later. If they fail the same exam test again, they will need to repeat the level. This will mean they are not able to complete all five language levels during the programme.The final exam after Level 5 is the Interuniversity Test of Dutch as a Foreign Language (ITNA). If students pass this exam, they meet the language requirements set by universities and university colleges in Flanders.
• Academic Study Skills (2 hrs/week) is divided into two modules. The first module focuses on helping students improve their Dutch language skills through self-study. The second module helps them improve their academic skills, such as summarising texts and giving presentations.
• Dutch Phonetics and Pronunciation (1 hr/week) helps students deal with difficult aspects of speaking Dutch: intonation, rhythm, recognising different sounds and learning to pronounce them correctly.
• Culture of the Low Countries (1 hr/week) gives students an introduction to the culture of Belgium and the Netherlands. We focus especially on the region of Flanders, where Antwerp is located. This module includes both lectures and cultural activities such as museum visits, a theatre evening, a Christmas party and a trip to the nearby city of Ghent.

Evaluation

Language Acquisition

Students must pass the exam at the end of the 5 language levels before they can move on to the next one.

These formal exams test the 4 skills: speaking, writing, listening and reading. Permanent evaluation is also taken into account.

Academic Study Skills

Module 1: written exam

Module 2: presentations and written exam

Dutch Phonetics and Pronunciation

Permanent evaluation

Culture, Politics and Social Relations

Module 1: written test

Module 2: portfolio and presentation

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the programme, students receive a certificate.

One of the final exams is the Interuniversity Test of Dutch as a Foreign Language (ITNA). With the ITNA-certificate, students meet the B2-language requirement set by Flemish universities and university colleges.

Academic coordinator: Reinhilde Vandekerckhove

Course coordinator: Sabine Steemans

Lecturers:

• Lieve Sprengers
• Mieke Van Grinsven
• Els Le Page
• Ginny De Vos
• ​Maureen Lambrechts (Co-ordinator Language Buddy program)​
  

"Coming from Kenya, I had to adapt to a lot of different things. I liked the fresh air but I will never get used to the weather! For me Dutch is a very difficult language but at the same time a very beautiful one. I really enjoyed working with the Linguapolis online materials. I would advise future students to work very hard. They should also try to make Belgian friends to practise the language." (Naomi, Kenya)

"I will never forget the Linguapolis teachers. They have been our ‘parents of Dutch’. They taught me a lot without being too strict and their sense of humour made it easier to cope with the difficulties." (Jan, Poland)

"I enjoyed learning Dutch and I learnt a lot about Belgian society in the classes. Antwerp is a great city with lots of things to do: museums, restaurants, pubs, shops... There is an international atmosphere. Even though I had to study hard, I had a great time." (Alexa, Colombia)

"Meeting people from all over the world proved to be a unique aspect of this preparatory one-year programme. Everybody had his/her own story and brought different views, traditions, … This year gave me the possibility to carefully reflect on my future studies. I received a lot of information and I attended several lectures during the university’s open days, during which I was able to learn more about what each faculty has to offer. Attending these classes enabled me to make a well-founded choice from the wide range of study opportunities at the Flemish universities." (Haroun, Morocco)

"I met wonderful people during the preparatory one-year programme, both teaching staff and students. This year was one of the most beautiful of my life." (Anastasia, Russia)