IB DP Dutch Language and Literature at GESS (HL or SL)

The Dutch Language and Literature course at GESS offers native and near-native Dutch speakers the opportunity to maintain and deepen their connection to the Dutch language, culture, and identity while living in an international environment. As part of Group 1 in the IB Diploma Programme, the course cultivates advanced analytical, literary, and communicative skills that are essential for lifelong learning and global citizenship. 

Prerequisites: 


💠 Why Study Dutch Language and Literature at GESS?

👉 Preserving Cultural Identity – Studying Dutch at a high academic level allows students to maintain strong ties to their linguistic and cultural heritage while living in Singapore. It also supports a smoother reintegration into Dutch-speaking academic environments, should students return to the Netherlands or Belgium.

👉 Language Proficiency at a Native Level – The course challenges students to read and interpret complex literary works, engage in sophisticated discussions, and write fluently and analytically in Dutch. This ensures that their language skills continue to develop at a native-speaker level.

👉 International Outlook Through a Dutch Lens – Students explore how Dutch literature and language reflect and respond to global and local issues. They examine how Dutch authors use language to shape meaning, express identity, and comment on society.

👉 Valuable University Preparation – The course builds strong academic skills—including textual analysis, essay writing, oral commentary, and independent thinking—that prepare students for university studies in the Netherlands or abroad.


💠 Course Structure: Key Areas of Study

1️⃣ Readers, Writers, and Texts
Focuses on how texts are created and interpreted. Students analyze authorial choices, genre conventions, and how texts communicate with different audiences.

2️⃣ Time and Space
Explores how texts reflect their cultural, historical, and political contexts. Students engage with texts from different periods and regions to examine how meaning shifts across time and place.

3️⃣ Intertextuality: Connecting Texts
Encourages students to explore connections between Dutch texts and world literature. They compare shared themes, literary styles, and cultural perspectives to broaden their literary understanding.


💠 Assessment Overview

🔸 Internal Assessment – Individual Oral (IO)
A spoken analysis that links a studied Dutch literary text and a non-literary Dutch text to a global issue, demonstrating depth of analysis and contextual understanding.

🔸 External Examinations


💠 Sample Literary Works

📚 Dutch Language and Literature at GESS offers students a vital academic space to explore their native language while developing an international mindset. It is a bridge between home and the world—supporting academic excellence, cultural identity, and global awareness.