Dutch Language Levels Explained – Find Your Perfect Course
Master Dutch from A1 to C2 with our structured courses. Explore CEFR levels and find your perfect course.
Learn Dutch at Every Level – A1 to C2
Are you looking to improve your Dutch language skills? Whether you’re a complete beginner or working towards fluency, understanding Dutch language levels according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) will help you choose the right course. At Level Up Academy, we offer structured courses to guide you from A0 to C2, providing a clear path to mastering Dutch. Our online Dutch courses are live and interactive, allowing you to learn from anywhere at your own pace while engaging directly with experienced teachers who are experts in the Dutch language.
Not sure about your level? Contact us, and we’ll help you determine it and find the right course.
What Are the Dutch Language Levels?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) defines six language proficiency levels:
- A1 Level Dutch (Beginner) – At this level, you can understand and use basic expressions for everyday situations, such as greetings, ordering food, and introducing yourself. You can ask and answer simple questions about personal details, such as where you live, who you know, and what you have. Conversations may be slow and require the listener to speak clearly and repeat information.
- A2 Level Dutch (Elementary) – You can understand frequently used expressions related to daily life, such as shopping, work, and family. You can communicate in simple and direct exchanges about familiar topics and describe aspects of your background, immediate environment, and needs in simple terms.
- B1 Level Dutch (Intermediate) – You can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters such as work, school, and leisure. You can handle most travel situations in Dutch-speaking areas and express opinions on familiar topics. You can describe experiences, events, dreams, and ambitions, and you can provide reasons or explanations for opinions and plans.
- B2 Level Dutch (Upper-Intermediate) – You can understand more complex texts and abstract discussions, even on technical subjects. You can interact with native speakers fluently and spontaneously without too much difficulty. You can produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of topics and explain viewpoints on current issues, weighing the pros and cons.
- C1 Level Dutch (Advanced) – You can understand demanding texts and recognize implicit meanings. You can express yourself fluently and spontaneously without searching for words too much. Your speech is well-structured, and you can use the language flexibly and effectively in social, academic, and professional settings.
- C2 Level Dutch (Proficient) – You have near-native fluency, understanding virtually everything you hear or read with ease. You can summarize complex information, reconstructing arguments and narratives in a coherent way. You can express yourself precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning in complex situations.
Our Dutch Level Courses
At Level Up Academy, we offer structured online courses designed to guide you from one level to the next. Each course is interactive, taught by experienced teachers, and concludes with a test. Successful participants receive a certificate as proof of their Dutch proficiency.
| CEFR Levels (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 | |||
| Course Levels at Level Up Academy | A0-A1 | A1-A2 | A2-A2+ | A2+-B1 | B1-B1+ | B1+-B2 | B2-B2+ | B2+-C1 | C1-C2 |
Available Dutch Courses:
- A0-A1 – Learn the Dutch alphabet, numbers, and basic grammar, including articles (‘een’, ‘de’, and ‘het’) and verb conjugations. Practice simple conversations about daily routines, family, and shopping. Develop listening and speaking skills while expanding your vocabulary on essential topics like telling time, ordering food, and asking for directions.
- A1-A2 – Improve your understanding of sentence structures and grammar while increasing your vocabulary. Engage in conversations about work, hobbies, and travel, and learn to describe experiences and past events. Learn the basics of past tenses to talk about completed actions and past situations.
- A2-A2+ – Gain a deeper understanding of Dutch grammar, including word order, tenses, and sentence structure. Enhance your reading and listening skills while practicing conversations on more complex topics. Improve your ability to express opinions and make comparisons.
- A2+-B1 – Build confidence in conversations and written communication by discussing topics like education, relationships, the environment, and money. Learn to express opinions in discussions and improve sentence structure using relative clauses (‘waarop’, ‘waarvoor’, ‘over wie’). Master essential grammar, the different uses of ‘er’, and the passive voice. Additionally, refine pronunciation and word accentuation for clearer and more natural speech.
- B1-B1+ – Discuss topics like gender equality, the image of the Netherlands, and personal characteristics while improving social interactions. Learn to give compliments, use friendly versus unfriendly language, and respond to antisocial behavior. Master conjunctions (daarom, daardoor), advanced ‘zouden’ constructions, and the passive voice using ‘het’ and ‘er’. Additionally, practice writing a job application letter and expressing opinions in discussions.
- B1+-B2 – Enhance fluency by engaging with longer and more complex texts, such as news articles. Learn to express strong arguments, react to statements, and discuss topics like Dutch culture, the education system, and integration. Practice writing well-structured reports, giving advice, and using advanced past tenses and relative pronouns. Build confidence through presentations and exercises similar to the Staatsexamen NT2 Level II.
- B2-B2+ – Prepare for professional and academic use of Dutch by expanding your vocabulary and mastering formal writing. In this course, you’ll learn to present confidently, give feedback, evaluate, and prepare an elevator pitch. Practice writing longer texts, such as open solicitation letters and summaries, while expressing opinions on topics like language, culture, the economy, and health. Improve your skills in work-related discussions, meetings, and networking, and master the use of relative clauses (verwijzen), the imperative, and the appropriate tone for different situations. This course is available as individual lessons tailored to your needs.
- B2+-C1 – Achieve near-native fluency by refining your vocabulary and grammar. Learn to use passive constructions, paraphrase, and write argumentative essays. Discuss topics like philosophy, ethics, psychology, law, and technology. Improve your negotiation skills, write reports, and practice forming open and controlled questions. This course is available as individual lessons tailored to your needs.
Each course includes interactive lessons, real-life scenarios, and practical exercises to help you progress quickly.
Get Started with the Right Dutch Course
Looking for the perfect Dutch course for your level? Explore our online group courses or individual lessons and start your Dutch language journey today. With small class sizes and engaging lessons, you’ll be speaking Dutch confidently in no time!
Ready to Learn Dutch?
Join Level Up Academy and take your Dutch skills to the next level. Sign up today and receive a certificate at the end of your course!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure about your level? Contact us, and we’ll help you determine your Dutch proficiency through a short assessment. This will ensure you choose the right course that matches your skills and learning goals.
Our courses take place via the Zoom platform. You can use Zoom on desktop, tablet and mobile devices. In order to use all functionalities of Zoom and maximise participation in the classes, we recommend downloading Zoom onto your laptop or computer.
At Level Up Academy, all students who successfully pass the final test in a course receive a certificate of completion for their Dutch course at a specific level, such as A0-A1.
Participating in our courses you will receive:
- A PDF presentation for each class.
- Custom made flashcards based on class material in Quizlet, a program that helps you study new vocabulary and phrases.
- Extra exercises provided after each weekly lesson.
- Materials about Dutch culture (beginners course only: A0-A1).