Preparing for the Dutch language examination

The Dutch language examination tests your skills in speaking and understanding Dutch. Several tips follow below, to help you to practice understanding and speaking Dutch:

1. Various books are available for people wanting to learn Dutch. Many of these include cassettes or CDs that you can use to practise with. These can, for example, be used to listen to Dutch sentences or do pronunciation exercises.
2. The examination will be done by telephone. You can practise by speaking Dutch to your partner on the telephone, or to someone else who speaks Dutch. In case you do not understand the person you are talking to, ask him to repeat what he/she said. Also ask him to correct your pronunciation of Dutch.
3. You can familiarise yourself with the sound of the Dutch language by watching and listening to Dutch language TV, films or songs on video, DVD or CD. This will help you to listen carefully in Dutch and to pronounce Dutch properly.
4. Watching and listening to the Dutch version of the film ‘Coming to the Netherlands’ will also help. So will practising the 100 questions for the Knowledge of Dutch society examination component.
5. Are you well prepared? Use the TIN codes in your practice package to sit the three practice examinations. By doing this, you will familiarise yourself with the examination.

Good luck!