Teacher(s)
Language
Dutch
Content
The aim of the course is to familiarise students with the basic grammatical concepts of the target language and, initially, to teach them to understand the language (both through reading and listening). Once these skills have been acquired, students will be encouraged to practise the language themselves through various short homework assignments (written pieces on topics set by the teacher, reading comprehension of legal texts) as well as through a range of exercises (individual or group work) in class. Each grammar point covered in class will always be accompanied by practical exercises.
Throughout the year, whilst learning the basics of the language, students will also be encouraged to discover and learn legal vocabulary. This aspect of the course will require regular homework from students, with two specific objectives: (1) to be familiar with the vocabulary list (French–Dutch) by the end of Q1 and (2) to be able to use legal vocabulary independently by the end of Q2 (using it in language production exercises, being able to recognise and translate it in texts, being able to translate entire passages containing legal vocabulary, etc.)
Throughout the year, whilst learning the basics of the language, students will also be encouraged to discover and learn legal vocabulary. This aspect of the course will require regular homework from students, with two specific objectives: (1) to be familiar with the vocabulary list (French–Dutch) by the end of Q1 and (2) to be able to use legal vocabulary independently by the end of Q2 (using it in language production exercises, being able to recognise and translate it in texts, being able to translate entire passages containing legal vocabulary, etc.)
Teaching methods
Please note: the course is taught in French and Dutch. Grammar explanations are given in French to ensure that students fully understand all the material covered. Depending on the topic, students are also given the opportunity to practise Dutch both orally and in writing.
The interactive course is based on:
Theoretical explanations of grammar given in class by the lecturer, always accompanied by practical exercises carried out both in class and at home (each module includes exercises to be completed in class as well as additional exercises to be done at home for the following week)
A collaborative approach (teacher and students working together) to compiling vocabulary lists, discussed with the students according to their needs (for example, legal vocabulary) and their preferences (taking into account what the students would like to know in Dutch to get by in everyday life)
The development of various language skills (comprehension and expression) for both ‘standard’ vocabulary and legal vocabulary
It goes without saying that active and regular attendance at the course is required, as is the completion of the exercises set by the lecturer. The lecturer reserves the right to check whether students have completed the required tasks and, if necessary, to exclude students from the course in the event of failure to comply with the instructions.
The interactive course is based on:
Theoretical explanations of grammar given in class by the lecturer, always accompanied by practical exercises carried out both in class and at home (each module includes exercises to be completed in class as well as additional exercises to be done at home for the following week)
A collaborative approach (teacher and students working together) to compiling vocabulary lists, discussed with the students according to their needs (for example, legal vocabulary) and their preferences (taking into account what the students would like to know in Dutch to get by in everyday life)
The development of various language skills (comprehension and expression) for both ‘standard’ vocabulary and legal vocabulary
It goes without saying that active and regular attendance at the course is required, as is the completion of the exercises set by the lecturer. The lecturer reserves the right to check whether students have completed the required tasks and, if necessary, to exclude students from the course in the event of failure to comply with the instructions.
Evaluation methods
Assessment covers the entire syllabus and comprises:
- A written examination in the first term, held outside the examination period during the first fortnight of December 2026, accounting for 50 per cent of the final mark. The exam covers the case studies and grammar discussed in class, as well as legal vocabulary (a list provided at the start of the year, which students are expected to master throughout the year). Students answer the questions in Dutch or French (for example, open-ended questions on grammar or open-ended questions in a reading comprehension exercise). This will always be clearly stated in the exam instructions. The assessment criteria focus on the student’s ability to memorise and apply the grammatical concepts and lexical aspects covered in class, and to demonstrate knowledge of (use, contextualise and translate) legal vocabulary.
- An exam in the second term, accounting for 50 per cent of the total mark. The arrangements for this exam are identical to those for the Q1 exam. This exam will take place outside the main exam period during the first fortnight of May 2027.
It is important to note that, although the majority of the material covered is indeed spread across the two terms, there is one area that must be mastered throughout the year and will feature in both the first-term and second-term examinations: the list of legal vocabulary provided in the syllabus.
If the student achieved an average mark of 10/20 in their written exam in December, they will sit a written exam in May covering the material from the second term.
If the student did not achieve an average of 10/20 in Q1, they will sit a single exam in May covering the material from both four-month terms (Q1 and Q2), the format of which will remain unchanged.
If the student did not achieve an average of 10/20 in June, they will sit an exam in August covering the material for the whole academic year, the arrangements for which will remain unchanged.
In the event of absence from any part of the assessment, the student will receive a final mark of 0A in the case of an unjustified absence. If they provide a medical certificate to the faculty administration within 24 hours to justify their absence, they will be awarded a final mark of 0M. They will be given the opportunity to retake the exam, but only during the following examination period. No exceptions will be made.
- A written examination in the first term, held outside the examination period during the first fortnight of December 2026, accounting for 50 per cent of the final mark. The exam covers the case studies and grammar discussed in class, as well as legal vocabulary (a list provided at the start of the year, which students are expected to master throughout the year). Students answer the questions in Dutch or French (for example, open-ended questions on grammar or open-ended questions in a reading comprehension exercise). This will always be clearly stated in the exam instructions. The assessment criteria focus on the student’s ability to memorise and apply the grammatical concepts and lexical aspects covered in class, and to demonstrate knowledge of (use, contextualise and translate) legal vocabulary.
- An exam in the second term, accounting for 50 per cent of the total mark. The arrangements for this exam are identical to those for the Q1 exam. This exam will take place outside the main exam period during the first fortnight of May 2027.
It is important to note that, although the majority of the material covered is indeed spread across the two terms, there is one area that must be mastered throughout the year and will feature in both the first-term and second-term examinations: the list of legal vocabulary provided in the syllabus.
If the student achieved an average mark of 10/20 in their written exam in December, they will sit a written exam in May covering the material from the second term.
If the student did not achieve an average of 10/20 in Q1, they will sit a single exam in May covering the material from both four-month terms (Q1 and Q2), the format of which will remain unchanged.
If the student did not achieve an average of 10/20 in June, they will sit an exam in August covering the material for the whole academic year, the arrangements for which will remain unchanged.
In the event of absence from any part of the assessment, the student will receive a final mark of 0A in the case of an unjustified absence. If they provide a medical certificate to the faculty administration within 24 hours to justify their absence, they will be awarded a final mark of 0M. They will be given the opportunity to retake the exam, but only during the following examination period. No exceptions will be made.
Other information
Communication with the lecturer: If a student wishes to contact their lecturer, they must include the name of the module (BDROI1154) and their group number (D1, D2, D3 or D4) in their email. If the course code and group are not included in the email, the lecturer reserves the right not to reply.
Attendance at Dutch language classes in the Faculty of Law is compulsory. Attendance is therefore taken at the start of each class. If a student is unable to attend a class, they must send proof of their absence to the lecturer and to the faculty administration within 24 hours in order for the absence to be considered justified.
In the event of a public transport strike: where a strike has been announced, students are expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure they can still attend their classes. However, the lecturer also undertakes to deliver lessons in a hybrid format (in-person and online simultaneously) to enable students who are genuinely unable to get to university to still follow the lesson via Teams.
Students can always arrange a meeting with the lecturer outside of class hours if they wish. Appointments can be made either by email or in person at the end of the class. The language lecturers’ office is P25 (2nd floor of the Préfecture building).
There is no Dutch language course in Block 2, but in order to continue practising the language whilst awaiting the ‘Legal Dutch’ course (which takes place in Q2 during Block 2), a preparatory module for Legal Dutch is organised in the first quadri of the second year. Students who have passed the beginners’ Dutch course and are eligible for ‘Legal Dutch’ in Block 2 are required to attend this preparatory module. A list of students who have passed the Block 1 course is forwarded to the lecturer for the Block 2 preparatory module.
Attendance at Dutch language classes in the Faculty of Law is compulsory. Attendance is therefore taken at the start of each class. If a student is unable to attend a class, they must send proof of their absence to the lecturer and to the faculty administration within 24 hours in order for the absence to be considered justified.
In the event of a public transport strike: where a strike has been announced, students are expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure they can still attend their classes. However, the lecturer also undertakes to deliver lessons in a hybrid format (in-person and online simultaneously) to enable students who are genuinely unable to get to university to still follow the lesson via Teams.
Students can always arrange a meeting with the lecturer outside of class hours if they wish. Appointments can be made either by email or in person at the end of the class. The language lecturers’ office is P25 (2nd floor of the Préfecture building).
There is no Dutch language course in Block 2, but in order to continue practising the language whilst awaiting the ‘Legal Dutch’ course (which takes place in Q2 during Block 2), a preparatory module for Legal Dutch is organised in the first quadri of the second year. Students who have passed the beginners’ Dutch course and are eligible for ‘Legal Dutch’ in Block 2 are required to attend this preparatory module. A list of students who have passed the Block 1 course is forwarded to the lecturer for the Block 2 preparatory module.
Online resources
All course materials and additional resources are available on the Moodle page for the BDROI1154 course.
Please note: students taking the beginners’ course should not follow the information and guidelines published on the ‘BDROI1153’ Moodle page: this page relates to the intermediate Dutch course!
Please note: students taking the beginners’ course should not follow the information and guidelines published on the ‘BDROI1153’ Moodle page: this page relates to the intermediate Dutch course!
Faculty or entity
