Read clear explanations of the eight KNM themes and practise Dutch with short stories. The 27 chapters cover all 78 knowledge points in the current syllabus. This is an independent guide, not official DUO material.

Study for KNM and practise Dutch reading

Learn about parliament, elections and fundamental rights. Start with Eva’s library lesson.

Democracy and the rule of law

Learn about school pathways, parents’ roles, costs and support. Start with Marco’s primary school story.

School and parents

Learn about GPs, urgent care, health insurance and local help. Start with Mina’s doctor appointment.

Health and healthcare

Learn about Dutch history, provinces and travel. Start with Nora’s map and train journey.

History and geography

Learn about housing, tenant rights, utilities and waste. Start with Daniel’s story about a repair.

Housing and renting

Learn about public services, taxes, police and legal help. Start with Ravi’s message from the municipality.

Public services and institutions

Learn about social customs, associations and life events. Start with Mei’s sports club story.

Social customs and values

Learn about finding work, employment terms, income and starting a business. Start with Sofia’s payslip story.

Work and pay

Parliament, elections, the rule of law, fundamental rights and equal treatment.

Practise Dutch reading about parliament, government, independent courts and local decisions.

Eva attends a library lesson on Dutch democracy and asks how public institutions work.

School pathways, parents’ roles, education costs and financial support.

Practise reading Dutch about visiting and registering with a primary school.

Marco is looking for a primary school for his daughter. Read how he visits a school and asks questions.

GP care, specialist and urgent care, health insurance and local support.

Practise Dutch reading about contacting a GP practice and understanding a possible referral.

Mina has a health question. Follow how she arranges a GP appointment and prepares her questions.

Dutch history, provinces, important places and public transport.

Practise Dutch reading about the capital, the seat of government, provinces and a train journey.

Nora explores a library map, plans a train trip to The Hague and visits a history exhibition.

Finding and renting a home, arranging utilities, managing bills and sorting waste.

Practise reading Dutch about a rental home, a repair and a tenancy agreement.

Daniel notices a problem in his rented apartment. Read how he contacts his landlord and looks for advice about his agreement.

Public services, personal records, taxes, police, legal help and insurance.

Practise Dutch reading about checking a municipal message and seeking trustworthy help.

Ravi receives a message from his municipality. Read how he checks it and asks for help.

Social customs, local groups and traditions around major life events.

Practise Dutch reading about joining a club, changing an appointment and asking about group customs.

Mei wants to visit a neighbourhood sports club. Read how she arranges a visit and meets the group.

Finding work, employment terms, income support, equal treatment and starting a business.

Practise reading Dutch about an employment contract, working days and a payslip.

Sofia starts a job at a bakery. Read what her contract and payslip tell her about her work and pay.

Use the words and reading skills from this lesson to understand current news from the Netherlands.

Keep practising with current news

This story is a separate reading exercise. The chapters above use different examples.

Learn key parts of Dutch history and their present-day traces.

Older History and Life with Water

War, migration and change