EXCELLENT DUTCH :  conversational skills on a solid base of pronunciation, grammar and spelling.

Excellent Dutch works from practice to theory ( "practice" meaning conversation and pronunciation, "theory" meaning grammar and spelling) instead of the other way around. From the first moment on, the lesson is directed towards the actual speaking and listening; after all language is sound in the first place. That's why Excellent Dutch's lessons are focused on CONVERSATION. In order to converse properly one needs to actually do it, to practise. We start from there.It is Excellent Dutch's experience that this works for any level, for absolute beginners as well as for advanced level.

Where conversation gets stuck,we fill gaps in knowledge,concerning pronunciation, vocabulary,and grammar.As Dutch pronounciation tells a lot about spelling, pronunciation and spelling are fully integrated. The emphasis Excellent Dutch puts on pronunciation gives people much clarity about the language.

In order to achieve that one can - as much as possible - use grammar right away in daily conversation, it is integrated as well. In order to obtain this, Excellent Dutch teaches grammar in a way that is as compact and practical (ready for use) as possible.

Excellent Dutch will do a little coaching as well about how to practise Dutch in daily conversation, because it is not easy to learn to speak Dutch in Holland,as most people - as soon as they notice you are foreigner - will direct to you in any other language but Dutch. Practising Dutch in daily conversation will be part of home-work exercise. 

Excellent Dutch also uses the fact that English and Dutch once were one language group.
Most students have (at least some) knowledge of English (either as the native language or as a 2nd language).Once you have become aware of the similarities, it's easier to go from there to the differences.In other words:every English speaking person already has some knowledge of Dutch. 

As Excellent Dutch's teacher knows a couple of other West European languages and also has knowledge of Latin, Excellent Dutch is able to give people insight in Dutch, to help them to see through structures and thus to (more and more, bit by bit) independently make there own way through the language, and so build up a steady foundation.
 

What do you need for the lessons?

During the lessons different materials that Excellent Dutch finds specificly useful for a particular student are used. Excellent Dutch uses it’s own materials, such as Grammar files, because our material is based on the principles that are explained above. You will receive digital grammar files on all subjects.What you really need is yourself, in a motivated and concentrated state of mind and a dictionary of your own choice.  

 Excellent Dutch chooses not to follow a specific teaching book, because it is  Excellent Dutch's experience  that most people getting in touch with Excellent Dutch have already attended several courses - always with a particular method book and many times even at several levels - and still do not speak Dutch sufficiently to have a simple, ongoing conversation. So: no specific method book during the lessons, but still a steady building up of grammar, spelling and vocabulary in order to reach the real goal : being able to converse, to express oneself in proper Dutch, verbally as well as in writing.