Does the Certificate in Dutch Language teach Netherlands or Belgian Dutch?

Both, taught comparatively. The Standard Dutch (Algemeen Nederlands) used in formal contexts is the teaching base; regional variation between the Netherlands and Flanders is made explicit.

Can I take the Certificate in Dutch Language fully online?

Yes. The online route runs live small-group classes (typically twice a week), recorded review material and structured speaking and written feedback.

Will the Certificate in Dutch Language help me pass NT2?

The course content maps to the entry level of NT2 Programme I. The exam is taken separately through Dutch government testing arrangements. Students intending to sit NT2 typically add a short revision week.

Do I really need Dutch in the Netherlands given English is so widely spoken?

Functionally, no — most Dutch professionals speak excellent English. Professionally, yes — Dutch language is increasingly expected for substantive roles, residency-track relocations and full integration into Dutch workplace culture.

How is the Certificate in Dutch Language different from the Diploma?

The Certificate covers A1 to A2/B1 in 3–6 months. The Diploma extends to working B1/B2 over 9–12 months with substantial reading, writing and cultural modules added.

Certificate in Dutch Language in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Dutch Language at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a short UK qualification taking adult beginners to elementary level in Dutch (CEFR A1 to A2/B1). The course covers Dutch as spoken in the Netherlands and Flanders, taught by qualified Dutch tutors and structured around the Common European Framework of Reference.

Dutch is a strategic language for UK organisations doing business in the Netherlands and Belgium, and for professionals relocating to either country. This Certificate gives adults a real foundation rather than a phrasebook level.

Key Features

CEFR-aligned curriculum covering A1 and A2 with optional A2+ extension exercises.
Netherlands and Flanders Dutch — comparative coverage of regional variation.
Small live-class sizes on the on-campus route.
Cultural strand — short readings from Dutch and Flemish press, contemporary culture.
Three study modes — on-campus, fully online, or distance learning.
Articulation into the Diploma in Dutch Language at LSJHML.

What You Will Learn

The Certificate in Dutch Language is built around what a Dutch beginner needs — basic verb conjugation, simple sentence structure, everyday conversation, short structured messages.

Greetings, introductions and everyday courtesy in Dutch.
Present and perfect tenses; introduction to other tenses.
Dutch word order at foundation level.
Numbers, dates, time-telling, currency and transactions.
Describing people, places, daily routines and past experiences.
Reading short authentic Dutch texts — menus, headlines, simple articles.
Listening to short news and conversation clips.
Writing short structured messages — emails, notes, brief paragraphs.

Who This Course Is For

Adult beginners with no prior Dutch.
Professionals working in or moving into Benelux markets.
UK adults preparing to relocate to the Netherlands or Belgium.
Heritage Dutch speakers wanting a formal UK qualification.

Career Pathways

The Certificate in Dutch Language is a foundation credential. Typical applications include:

Bilingual Account Management (UK companies trading with Netherlands and Belgium)
International Sales Coordinator (Benelux territory)
Junior Communications roles (Benelux-focused organisations)
Relocation Preparation (Netherlands, Belgium)
Continued Study (Diploma in Dutch Language, BA Dutch Language Studies)
Preparation for NT2 (Dutch as a Second Language) Programme I

The Certificate articulates into the Diploma in Dutch Language at LSJHML for students continuing.

Entry Requirements

Minimum age 16.
Secondary school qualification (GCSE/O-Level or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
No prior Dutch required.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.