For a variety of reasons, one day you might just find yourself preparing for a little thing called the Nederlands als Tweede Taal Examen (Dutch as Second Language Exam). I say little, but to be honest, it is intimidating, stressful, and nerve-wracking, all in one.\u00a0 But fear not, there is a lot of information available to guide you through the process, and in this post I’ll introduce you to some resources that should (I make no promises here) make the process a little less confusing.<\/p>\n
There are a variety of reasons you might be taking the NT2 exam, including, but not limited to, fulfilling requirements for your integration program or demonstrating language proficiency for an employer. Therefore, knowing which exam is right for you is a good place to start.\u00a0 I can’t figure that out for you, but I can send you in the right direction.<\/p>\n
If you are following an integration program (inburgering) you should contact your local taalwijzer.\u00a0 The taalwijzer is a language resource service that can set up the learning program that is right for you.\u00a0 I found my local taalwijzer to be incredibly helpful, and you might even find that your language courses and exam are paid for by the town you live in.\u00a0 But you’ll never know if you don’t ask.\u00a0 Actually, even if you aren’t following an inburgering program, I would probably start at the taalwijzer anyway, because they are the experts and will in the least of things send you in the right direction.\u00a0 You might not have to take the exam, but you might find that they have courses for you anyway.<\/p>\n
The Exam<\/strong><\/p>\n The NT2 exam is divided into two groups: Programma 1 and Programma 2.\u00a0 Programma 1 is for people who want to display somewhere around a high school level proficiency in Dutch.\u00a0 Programma 2 is for those who wish to display a university level proficiency in Dutch.<\/p>\n The exam is actually a series of four exams.\u00a0 Listening, reading, writing and speaking.<\/p>\n Listening:<\/em> Reading:<\/em> Writing:<\/em> Speaking:<\/em> For further information on the Staatsexamen NT2, the Expertise Centrum<\/a> has provided practice exams and general information.<\/p>\n
\nIn the listening section you will be asked to listen to short radio programs or conversations, and answer multiple choice questions based on what you are hearing.\u00a0 You will be answering the questions in short pauses during<\/em> the program.\u00a0 The pauses are marked by a beep.<\/p>\n
\nIn the reading section you will be asked to read a variety of types of texts.\u00a0 Some of these texts only require you to scan for the information you need, such as from a pamphlet or flier, while other texts are longer and require you to read very carefully.<\/p>\n
\nIn the writing section you will be asked to write both short answers, longer essays, and complete sentences.<\/p>\n
\nThe speaking section is the strangest section for most people.\u00a0 It requires you to speak to a computer through a headset with a microphone.\u00a0 First you will hear a short piece of a conversation, a description of a situation, or look at a picture.\u00a0 You will be asked to respond or describe the situation.\u00a0 The section has a variety of types of questions.\u00a0 Some of the questions require only a short answer of one or two sentences.\u00a0 Other sections require you to speak in a sort of monologue for 2 minutes.\u00a0 This part of the exam goes very quickly, causing a lot of frustration.<\/p>\n