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How it worksCourse libraryReviewsPricing

This is a daily audio course you can listen to on the go to improve your listening comprehension, practice speaking, and finally understand native speakers – entirely in WhatsApp.

Dutch Social Skills and Conversations – HearSay

Dutch A2

Master the art of Dutch small talk, express your opinions with confidence, and navigate daily life in the Netherlands. From making appointments to discussing the weather, this course brings the A2 level to life.

Lessons

  1. Mastering Dutch Small Talk

    Stephen and Lars meet on a rainy street and practice 'koetjes en kalfjes' about the unpredictable weather.

    Vocabulary

    • Koetjes en kalfjes (Small talk)
    • Wat een weer, hè? (What weather, isn't it?)
    • Zeg dat wel! (You can say that again!)
    • Het weer (The weather)
    • Het wordt nu echt zomer (It’s really becoming summer now)
    • Inderdaad (Indeed)

    Objectives

    • Initiate a conversation using common weather idioms
  2. What Do You Think?

    Stephen asks Lars for his opinion on his new study materials and the atmosphere at the café.

    Vocabulary

    • Mening (Opinion)
    • Wat vind je van...? (What do you think of...?)
    • Ik vind... (I think / I find...)
    • Gezellig (Cozy / Pleasant)
    • Leuk (Nice / Fun)
    • Mooi (Beautiful / Pretty)

    Objectives

    • Ask for someone's opinion using 'vinden'
  3. Making Professional Appointments

    Lars helps Stephen call a mechanic and a real estate agent to settle some personal business in Amsterdam.

    Vocabulary

    • Afspraak maken (To make an appointment)
    • Opbellen (To call up)
    • De garage (The garage / Mechanic)
    • De makelaar (The real estate agent)
    • Druk op de weg (Busy on the road / Traffic)
    • Prima (Fine / Great)

    Objectives

    • Schedule an appointment over the phone
  4. Taking Things Along

    Stephen prepares for a visit to his Dutch-speaking family and discusses what he needs to bring along.

    Vocabulary

    • Meenemen (To take along)
    • Invullen (To fill in)
    • Maat (Size)
    • Grotere maat (Larger size)
    • Lang niet gezien! (Long time no see!)

    Objectives

    • Use the separable verb 'meenemen' in a sentence
  5. Making Plans and Promises

    Lars and Stephen discuss a proposal for a neighborhood party and make promises to help out.

    Vocabulary

    • Zullen (Shall / Will)
    • Overleggen (To deliberate / To discuss)
    • Goed (Good)
    • Slecht (Bad)
    • Lekker (Tasty / Nice)
    • Hoe vind je...? (How do you like...?)

    Objectives

    • Make a suggestion or proposal using 'zullen'
  6. Flowers and Fine Details

    Stephen explains how to care for Dutch flowers he bought for his friends, practicing his instructional Dutch.

    Vocabulary

    • Afsnijden (To cut off)
    • Schuin afsnijden (To cut diagonally)
    • Bloemen (Flowers)
    • Gespreksonderwerpen (Conversation topics)
    • Taart (Cake)

    Objectives

    • Give instructions using specific separable verbs
  7. Kittens and Creative Stories

    Stephen tells Lars a story he invented about his new kittens to practice his Dutch creativity.

    Vocabulary

    • Dieren (Animals)
    • Katten (Cats)
    • Kittens (Kittens)
    • Verzinnen (To make up / To invent)
    • Opvoeren (To perform)

    Objectives

    • Talk about pets and animals in a social setting
  8. Health and Traditions

    Stephen isn't feeling well after his intensive Koentact classes, so Lars tells him about local recovery spots.

    Vocabulary

    • Vegetarisch (Vegetarian)
    • De kerk (The church)
    • Verkouden (To have a cold)
    • Herhalen (To repeat / To review)
    • Vooruitgang (Progress)

    Objectives

    • Describe physical health and common illnesses
  9. The Sounds of Dutch

    Stephen and Lars practice their pronunciation and discuss Stephen's language learning journey at Koentact.

    Vocabulary

    • Vocalen (Vowels)
    • Klinkers (Vowels)
    • Interactief (Interactive)
    • Hoeveelheid huiswerk (Amount of homework)
    • Moeilijk (Difficult)

    Objectives

    • Evaluate personal language progress and difficulties
  10. Dictation and Spelling

    Stephen practices a dictation to master the tricky Dutch vowel pairs from his course.

    Vocabulary

    • Makkelijk (Easy)
    • Klinkerparen (Vowel pairs)
    • Tweeklanken (Diphthongs)
    • Dictée (Dictation)
    • Uitspraak (Pronunciation)

    Objectives

    • Distinguish between combined vowels during listening
  11. Performing the Dialogue

    Stephen and Lars perform a short play to help Stephen gain confidence in using social filler talk.

    Vocabulary

    • Toneelstuk (Play)
    • Oefenen (To practice)
    • Dialoog (Dialogue)
    • Belofte (Promise)
    • Voorstellen (Proposals)

    Objectives

    • Perform an original dialogue incorporating social filler
  12. Living in the Neighborhood

    Lars explains the layout of the street to Stephen and introduces more local vocabulary.

    Vocabulary

    • Buurt (Neighborhood)
    • Buren (Neighbors)
    • Straat (Street)
    • Stad (City)
    • Dorp (Village)

    Objectives

    • Describe your living environment and neighbors
  13. Cooking and Preferences

    Stephen and Lars talk about vegetarian recipes and their favorite ingredients for a family dinner.

    Vocabulary

    • Koken (To cook)
    • Eten (To eat)
    • Keuken (Kitchen)
    • Recept (Recipe)
    • Ingrediënten (Ingredients)

    Objectives

    • Discuss cooking habits and favorite recipes
  14. Final Review and Success

    Stephen reflects on his A2 progress and his goal to feel confident speaking with friends and family.

    Vocabulary

    • Afscheid (Farewell)
    • Bedanken (To thank)
    • Tot ziens (See you)
    • Succes (Success)
    • Klaar (Finished / Ready)

    Objectives

    • Summarize personal language goals and achievements