FAQ

No, the Dutch Language House only assists people aged 16 or more.

No, we provide you with information on Dutch courses in Dutch-speaking centres for adult education. Information about French-speaking schools can be found on the Promosoc website.

No, we provide you with information on Dutch courses in Dutch-speaking centres for adult education. Want more info on private language schools? Consult this list.

You take lessons online or in a classroom. There are lessons in every Brussels municipality, for example in community centres. Not every location offers all types of Dutch courses. We will review your language level and situation to see where you can take your course.

No. You will receive information on the courses of the CVO (adult education centres) and Ligo Brusselleer (centre for basic education). The Dutch Language House Brussels will help you identify which courses suit you and will help you to register.

Would you like to know more about the schools? See their websites: 

CVO Brussels

CVO Lethas

CVO Semper

Brusselleer | Ligo, Centre for Basic Education

You take lessons in the morning, afternoon or in the evening. There are no lessons during the school holidays of the Dutch-speaking education system. You will receive more information on the lesson schedule during your consultation at the Dutch Language House Brussels. 

You can drop in to enrol throughout the whole year, however there is a broader selection of courses available in September and January.

Online lessons require a computer or laptop with camera and microphone. Also, we strongly advise you to find a quiet place with stable internet connection, where you can concentrate without being disturbed.

No, that's not necessary; you only need to make an appointment for self-study advice. If you are visiting the Dutch Language House in person, for the first time, we will assess your language level during the consultation and prepare your file.

We will offer you advice on the necessary self-study tools during the consultation. We will not provide guidance with your self-study course. If you then have any other questions, we will be pleased to help you via e-mail.

No, we don’t sell learning materials. We will offer you all the information needed to purchase the learning materials from a bookshop or borrow it from a library.

No. We will explain how and where you can test your language level during your self-study course. You can also take certain tests at the Dutch Language House.

Yes, if you have a lot of discipline and make time to work on your self-study every day. If you want to follow a higher-level Dutch course after your self-study, we will carry out a test. This means that you will know at what level you can start your new course.

No. Self-study starts with an online group consultation for beginners or an individual consultation for advanced learners. We will get to know you better during this consultation. This means that we can establish together which self-study material is best for you. Choose between a consultation online or in the Dutch Language House.

If you come to the Dutch Language House, you can consult our collection of self-study materials. This will help you to decide which method best suits you. There are no other differences between an online consultation and a consultation in person at the Dutch Language House.

The consultation takes approximately 45 minutes. We will listen to your needs and offer advice on self-study materials. We will also advise you on how to plan your self-study and tell you where you can practise Dutch. If this is your first appointment at the Dutch Language House, we will take the time to prepare your file during the consultation.

You are always welcome to make a second or even a third visit. You will no doubt have new questions as your language level improves. Simply make a new appointment. We will be pleased to help.

Yes, anyone over the age of 16 can participate in our activities. There are activities for all language levels. You can take part in activities even if you only know a little Dutch.

You are welcome to join our activities from the age of 16. Are you under the age of 16 and do you want to practise Dutch? Or are you looking for a Dutch-speaking activity for your child? Have a look at www.jonginbrussel.be, www.muntpunt.be or www.uitinbrussel.be

There are activities at various levels. Do you want to know which activity best suits you? Check out the 'taaliconen'. They indicate the level of Dutch required to complete each activity comfortably. More than 200 organisations in Brussels and Flanders use them.

The information provided alongside each activity tells you what you need. You don't need anything for most activities. Most activities are free, but sometimes you need to register. 

Most of the activities are in a group. If you prefer activities that are not in a group, please visit www.patati.be, where you can find a partner to practise Dutch with. 

Most conversation activities take place on weekdays in the morning, afternoon or evening. There are also activities on weekends or activities you do at your own pace, such as Plonge and Patati. Looking for an activity at a specific time? Use the filter at huisnederlandsbrussel.be/oefenen. 

A certification test takes a long time and must be paid for. Pre-screening tells you whether are ready for the test.

Once you have reached level A2 in Dutch you are able to:

• Have simple, short conversations such as introducing yourself or talk about what you did yesterday, you still need a little help from the person you are speaking with to keep the conversation going. 
• Understand simple written sentences, such as brief text message, an e-mail or instructions in an app.
• Write a short text, for example a text message or an e-mail.

You have no prior knowledge of Dutch? You follow lessons twice a week? Most people in that case need 6 to 8 months to reach that level from start to finish.

Once you have reached level B1 oral in Dutch you are able to:

• Participate in a conversation about a familiar subject without prior preparation, such as your family or your job.
• Talk about a book you are reading or a tv series you are watching. You are able to explain what the book or series is about and to give your opinion.
• Understand the main points when listening to a podcast or when watching a tv programme about a subject you are interested in.

To reach this level, you not only follow lessons, but you preferably also use Dutch from time to time in daily life, for example to talk to friends or family or when practising sports in Dutch.

You have no prior knowledge of Dutch? You follow lessons twice a week and use Dutch from time to time in daily life? You’ll need 2 years, minimum, to reach this level from start to finish.

Once you have reached level B1 written in Dutch you are able to:

• Ask for an explanation about a problem via chat or e-mail, for example at work, and you are able to respond to remarks and questions.
• Write a coherent, understandable text about a well-known subject such as a description of your previous work experience.
• Understand a text about a known subject, such as a long e-mail from a friend who is travelling.

To reach this level, you not only follow lessons, but you preferably also use Dutch from time to time in daily life, for example in work e-mails or using Dutch language media (newspaper articles, news sites).

You have no prior knowledge of Dutch? You follow lessons twice a week and use Dutch from time to time in daily life? You’ll need 2 years, minimum, to reach this level from start to finish.

Once you have reached level B2 oral in Dutch you are able to:

• Participate fluently and spontaneously in a conversation.
• Participate in a discussion and argue your case in a familiar context such as the school of your child(ren).
• Easily understand a podcast or TV-programme.

To reach this level, you not only follow lessons, but you preferably also use Dutch from time to time in daily life, for example to talk to friends or family or when practising sports in Dutch.

You have no prior knowledge of Dutch? You follow lessons twice a week and use Dutch from time to time in daily life? You’ll need 3 years, minimum, to reach this level from start to finish.

Once you have reached level B2 written in Dutch you are able to:

• Support collaboration, clarify ideas or add experiences to help the conversation along in an e-mail exchange or chat.
• Write a report and explain the reasons behind your point of view.
• Easily understand articles, e.g. an in-depth background article in a newspaper.

You have no prior knowledge of Dutch? You follow lessons twice a week and use Dutch from time to time in daily life? You’ll need 3 years, minimum to reach this level from start to finish.

You can choose one of three roles: 

Game moderator: 

• You start the game and choose the teams. 
• You don’t play the game yourself.
• You award the scores during the game. You are actively involved throughout the duration of the game.

Participant: 

• You start the game and choose the teams.
• You play the game just like the other participants.
• The participants award each other scores. 

No role: 

• You start the game and choose the teams.
• You don’t participate in the game and have no active role. You can relax with a coffee and wait for the game to end. 
• The participants award each other scores. 

The group game is suitable for groups from 6 to 50 players. A group is divided into teams. Each team consists of 3 to 5 participants.

Yes, the game is played using the participants' smartphones. Each participant uses his/her own smartphone to follow the route and the game.

At least 1 smartphone per team is required. Everyone should preferably use their own device to ensure optimal involvement and interaction. Unable to do so? No problem: participants without a smartphone can follow along on a teammate's smartphone.

The game has a set timer which runs out automatically. A long break during the game is therefore not a good idea.

Read the game moderator's instructions prior to starting the game. Print them out and bring them with you so that you can read them during the game. Also bring your own smartphone to start the game.

Once all the players have created a profile, you divide the group into teams. Choose the number of players per team. The teams will automatically be formed by the app. You can still switch players between teams. You can do this by clicking the ‘Change’ button next to the name of the player who wants to switch team. Remember to click the save icon (floppy disk) to confirm the team change.

No. All the players must be added before the teams are formed.

Either have them scan the QR code, or send them an e-mail containing a link to log in. You can send the e-mail by clicking the QR code. You will then be given the opportunity to enter an e-mail address. If all the players have created a profile, you can go to the next screen. Here you will get the last chance to add players. Don't allow players go to game.plonge.be. This link is for supervisors only.

No. You will need an e-mail address to create a profile and you will not be able to participate without a profile.

When the timer runs out. Or if the game is stopped manually. To do this, click  ‘Stop this route’ in the menu. You can then send a message to the players.

If you click ‘Start the game’, and then ‘ok’, the timer will start running. Let the players go to the starting point before clicking ‘ok’. Otherwise, they may lose valuable time on their way to the starting point.

All the players received an e-mail containing a link. This link allows them to log in again. Attention: This email usually lands in the spam or adverts folder.

Players give each other points by choosing ‘Give scores to the teams‘ in the menu. They can do this during the game or after the last assignment.

The refresh button is often the solution to a problem. Sometimes a screen doesn't load, or something doesn’t appear. Refresh your screen if this happens.

When the game has finished, you can project what the teams have submitted. It's fun to watch each other's videos, audio clips, etc. in the classroom. Go to the menu and click ‘Manage game’. Go to ‘My routes’ and click the route of which you want to show the results.

Yes, that is possible. Go to game.plonge.be in your browser. Select ‘I already have a login’. Go to ‘Manage game‘ via the menu. 

Yes. Download the game moderator instruction guide in Dutch or in French.