Dutch - Non IGCSE Course

Unfortunately, CIE has decided to withdraw the iGCSE courses for Dutch-First Language and Dutch-Foreign Language since 2019. However, our Dutch Stream still offers Dutch lessons to iGCSE students whose mother tongue is Dutch or who have some previous knowledge of Dutch.

Even though there is no iGCSE certificate offered at the end of their two year course, students can still choose to take Dutch as a first or foreign language for various reasons. Within our Dutch stream we make a distinction between two different aims, depending on our students future plans:

1. Prepare students for a smooth transition to Dutch education in Belgium or the Netherlands.

If student plan to return to the Netherlands or Belgium soon, we help them preparing for a smooth transition and look at individual needs and targets to tailor a lesson plan. In this case, the language benchmarks set by the Dutch and Belgian Government and Inspector of Education and various Dutch and Belgian teaching methods and textbooks are used as a guideline. To evaluate and compare our students progress with students in the Netherlands, we use standardised comprehensive reading tests or Diatoetsen at the end of Year 10 and Year 11.

2. Prepare students to achieve an international certificate or diploma

If students plan to finish their secondary education in an international environment, we still offer the content of the iGCSE course for both First and Foreign Language, depending on the students Dutch language skills at the end of Year 9. At the end of both courses, students will sit an internal exam, similar to the iGCSE, but will not be offered an official iGCSE certificate.

From Year 11 onwards, students can also prepare for the more rigorous IB DP courses Dutch Language A and Dutch Language B or the Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal (CNaVT). The CnaVT can be achieved within three different domains, depending on the students Dutch language skills and/or needs : Social, Educational or Professional

No matter which route our students choose, in addition to language lessons students will learn about Dutch and Belgian cultural aspects too and are expected to participate in cultural events (eg. Sinterklaas, Koningsdag,…) over the course of the year. Furthermore, there is an expectation towards parents to create a supportive Dutch learning environment at home. This could be achieved by speaking as much Dutch as possible at home, supporting reading in Dutch or watching Dutch or Belgian TV programmes.