All lessons are conversation lessons in the target language Dutch.
The texts on which the method is based provide the topics for the conversations in the conversation classes. The texts offer the participants knowledge and insight into important topics and current issues in Dutch society.
The most frequently used words of the Dutch language are used in the texts. All new vocabulary offered is translated into 26 languages; this makes it easy for the participants to understand the texts. Integral recordings of the texts make it possible to practise pronunciation.
The participants study the texts with the help of taped recordings. They also practise their listening skills by means of listening exercises. This practice prepares them for their conversation lessons.
During the conversation lessons, the teacher leads the conversation while at the same time assessing the participants’ reading comprehension skills.
The conversations only deal with topics which are familiar to the participants, and solely use sentences and vocabulary that are taken from the texts. This ensures that the participants can understand what is being said to them and can respond accordingly: from the start, they are communicating in Dutch.
Meaning, pronunciation and grammatical structures are offered and learned through the given texts. The teacher explains grammatical items when participants ask for it and does so by giving examples from the texts without using grammatical terminology.
Individual assessment forms part of every lesson to make sure the participant has studied and understood the text well enough. Course topics can be assessed by means of listening tests, gap texts or dictations. If participants score a grade which is below sufficient on a test, they need to study the text again and take a new test.