Spreken: speaking, explained in plain English
The speaking part (Spreken) tests whether you can respond out loud to everyday situations in Dutch. At the exam location, you speak your answers into a computer, reacting to short prompts, images, or situations, rather than having a live conversation with an examiner.
What this part actually tests
You will be asked to react to everyday situations: describing a picture, giving your opinion on something simple, asking a question, or explaining what you would do in a given situation, such as calling in sick or asking for directions. It rewards being understandable and getting your point across, not perfect grammar or a large vocabulary.
Example style, not a real exam question
Describe your daily routine
Prompt: "Vertel over een normale dag. Wat doet u 's ochtends, 's middags en 's avonds?" (Tell me about a normal day. What do you do in the morning, afternoon and evening?)
A simple, understandable answer works better than a complicated one:
"'s Ochtends sta ik op om zeven uur. Ik ontbijt en ga naar mijn werk. 's Middags eet ik een boterham. 's Avonds kook ik en kijk ik televisie."
Tips that actually help
- Speak in short, simple, correct sentences rather than reaching for long or complicated ones you are not sure of.
- Practice out loud, not just in your head. Recording yourself and listening back helps a lot.
- Prepare a few go-to sentences for common daily topics: your routine, your work, your family, your neighborhood.
- If you get stuck, keep going. A short pause and a simpler sentence is better than freezing up entirely.
Build the vocabulary to speak with confidence
The more everyday vocabulary and sentence patterns you know, the easier it is to speak without freezing up.
Spreken practice pack
26 speaking prompts with model answers, the two-sentence formula that fits almost any question, and pronunciation notes on the five Dutch sounds English speakers get wrong. 6 pages, PDF.
€ 4.99
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