Beginner lessons

A practical route through the 25 absolute-beginner lesson notes: learn one communicative task, notice one grammar pattern, then use it aloud.

How to study: read the dialogue, shadow it aloud twice, cover the English, then write three new sentences using the same pattern.

Start here

1. Catching up

Hoe gaat het? · greetings, names and asking how someone is.

2. Introductions

Ik heet Daniel. · introducing yourself and other people.

3. Personal details

Countries, languages, phone numbers and filling in a form.

4. Everyday questions

Who, what, where, when, why and how in useful exchanges.

5. Daily routines

Present-tense verbs, time expressions and ordinary activities.

6. Plans and invitations

Modal verbs, word order, accepting and declining politely.

Model dialogue

| Dutch | English | |—|—| | Hallo, Anna. Hoe gaat het? | Hello, Anna. How are you? | | Goed, dank je. En met jou? | Good, thank you. And you? | | Ook goed. Wat een verrassing! | Good too. What a surprise! |

Pattern to reuse

Next step: continue with themed vocabulary, then use five new words in the model dialogue.