De ontwikkeling van de leergangen Nederlands als tweede taal in Vlaanderen
The Development of Courses in Dutch as a Foreign Language in Flanders

Summary/Abstract: Textbooks for Dutch as a foreign and second language have been available in Flanders since the 16th century. Originally, they were translation-based conversation guides for soldiers and merchants, but by the 19th century grammar-translation methods, based on the model for classical languages, had appeared. Under the influence of changing insights into linguistics and didactics, the methodology in language courses changed radically. Selective vocabulary choice, syntactic-structural systematisation and a focus on communicative competence increased the efficiency of handbooks. The influence of behaviourism and cognitive learning techniques also improved the learning experience. Eclectic methods offering differentiated learning and exercise strategies came on the market. Technical advances in audio and video media subsequently led to audio-visual courses containing soap operas, audio-lexical exercises, video and listening comprehension. More recently, task-based methods for specific individual purposes, emphasising intercultural learning and e-learning, have become popular. Meanwhile, online courses with adapted exercise support have also started to play a role.

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