Tips to tackle Listening, Writing & Speaking exams

LISTENING/ LUISTEREN

The required level of language competency for all exams, for this year, is at A2. Listening at A2 level means you’re able to understand simple phrases and words used in day-to-day basic conversation. Think about going to the local supermarket area, shopping mall, post office! At A2 level, you are expected to understand the main points in a basic discussion, short audios, simple messages, and conversation. 

Information about the Listening exam  

You usually watch a small video clipping. The duration of the clippings is between 50 seconds to over a minute. The listening exam is a computer-based exam lasting for 45 minutes. You watch small films where you’ll two people (or more) talking and then you listen to spoken texts. Each film has several questions, and they have multiple choice answers. The student needs to click on the correct answer.

Tips to tackle this exam

Of course, you must be able to understand basic Dutch! It helps to listen to the audios (there are plenty available on the Internet, and through books.) and practice the questions. It is super useful to practice from the site of DUO.  

Active Listening

• Another great way to improve your listening skill is to practice active listening. I also recommend my students to listen to very basic level Dutch audiobooks. 
• Listening to Dutch radio and television series is a big help. You can start by watching children’s series, cartoons in Dutch. (Check out ZappBios) 
• In the beginning, take the help of the subtitles. This will not only help you improve your basic vocabulary, but will also teach you the correct pronunciation. 
• Listen to the audio clip & write down what you make of it. 
• Listen to the native speakers. Engage in 10 minutes of active listening!  

WRITING/SCHRIJVEN

Format:

Writing exam is NOT a computer-based exam. This exam is on paper. The duration of this exam is for 40 minutes. You need to answer 4 writing questions. You may be asked to write a mail or a letter (formal/informal), a small passage. The topics can be as simple as writing a mail to your boss asking for a day free, or a bit tricky like describing the first job you did. There is usually one question where you will be asked to fill up a form or a questionnaire, for example your application to join the swimming class. Sometimes you’ll get a ‘picture’ question. There will be a few pictures and you’d be asked to write either a passage or describe a process based on the pictures. 

Tips to tackle this exam

• Write short, easy, and correct sentences. Of course, grammatical correctness is of utmost importance. But when you write concise and easy sentences, your chances of making errors in grammar is drastically reduced.
• Focus on the grammar, especially the positioning of the verbs. Dutch verbs, both regular and irregular ones, have different ways of conjugation.
• Using google translation to prepare for the exam is not recommended. Start writing small passages instead and ask your teacher (or maybe a Dutch colleague!) to provide feedback.

SPEAKING/SPREKEN 

Format:

The speaking exam is a computer-based exam. The duration of this exam is for 35minutes. The exam consists of two sections. In the first section you will be shown videos in which the presenter will ask you a question. You record your answer, save it and progress to the next.

In the second section you’ll again see some videos with a small conversation, followed by multiple choice questions. From the video you need to guess the correct response.

You need to attempt both parts of the exam!

Tips to tackle this exam

• You’ve limited time to give your answers. Answer with simple, short, and logical sentences. Of course, grammatical correctness is of utmost importance.
• Practice word order, present tense, perfectum. 
• The habit of building up your vocabulary can help you greatly. Learn at least 5 new words every day, that might give you a good jump start in tackling this exam!