# Dutch Essentials Part 1

**Language:** Dutch  
**CEFR Level:** A1  

> Join Eva and Thijs for everyday conversations about meeting people, ordering food, and exploring the city, one short conversation at a time. Each lesson trains your ear until you can follow every word and answer back, based on Chapters 1 through 9 of [Nederlands In Gang](https://www.coutinho.nl/en/nederlands-in-gang-9789046905609).

**Setting:** Set in the historic polder landscape of North Holland, Eva and Thijs cross paths when Eva visits the working windmill where Thijs volunteers to research historical water-management techniques for her museum. They quickly strike up a warm friendship over coffee and shared heritage stories, keeping in touch as they go about their daily lives, shopping, and dining in the region.

## Lessons

### 1. Greeting someone and finding a seat

Eva and Thijs greet each other warmly and check how they are doing before Eva asks if she can sit down next to him.

### 2. Talking about where you live

Eva settles in with a cup of coffee while Thijs asks her how long she has lived in the area, prompting her to share that she has been there for twenty years.

### 3. Asking where someone is from

Thijs compares his time in the area to Eva's and shares that he originally comes from Utrecht but now feels completely at home.

### 4. Discussing your favorite seasons

Eva and Thijs talk about their favorite times of the year, with Thijs choosing autumn and Eva explaining why she prefers the summer.

### 5. Asking when an event starts

Thijs asks Eva what time their tour begins, and Eva replies that they still have fifteen minutes left.

### 6. Asking someone for information

While finishing their coffee, Eva tells Thijs that she wants to ask him some questions about the windmill.

### 7. Asking about quantities and numbers

Eva asks Thijs about the average number of weekly visitors at the windmill, and they discuss the figures.

### 8. Discussing languages people speak

Thijs mentions that many foreign tourists visit the windmill, and Eva asks him which languages they speak.

### 9. Expressing your language proficiency

Eva admits that her English is not very good, but Thijs reassures her and encourages her to just start speaking.

### 10. Inviting someone to join you

Eva asks Thijs if he wants to go to the market with her this afternoon to buy vegetables for making stamppot.

### 11. Inviting someone for dinner

Thijs shares his love for stamppot with sausage, prompting Eva to invite him over to eat the meal she is preparing.

### 12. Proposing a meeting time

Thijs gladly accepts Eva's dinner invitation, and they agree on meeting at six o'clock.

### 13. Agreeing to a meeting time

Thijs confirms he can manage their plans, then thanks Eva for the coffee as they say their goodbyes.

### 14. Saying goodbye

Eva tells Thijs he is welcome and bids him a final farewell until they meet again later.