Woman practicing Dutch speaking for civic integration exam with a practice partner

Inburgering Speaking Practice: How to Practice Smart for the Speaking Exam

Are you preparing for the civic integration exam and looking for targeted speaking practice? You are not alone. Many people find the speaking part the most nerve-wracking, because you cannot take a moment to think like you can with reading or writing. The good news is: with the right practice, you can really prepare yourself, so you know what to expect and how to stay calm.

In the Netherlands, you must pass the civic integration exam within three years of your arrival. The speaking exam is mandatory and tests whether you can communicate in everyday situations, like grocery shopping, making an appointment with the doctor, or having a conversation with your child's teacher. So it is not just a formality, but something you need daily. That is why it is smart to practice not only for the exam, but also for your life in the Netherlands.

In this guide, you will not get dry theory, but concrete practice tips, example sentences, and a step-by-step plan. You will learn how to practice best, which mistakes to avoid, and how to enter the exam with confidence. Whether you are just starting or have been practicing for a while, here you will find tools you can use right away.

What is the speaking exam and how does it work?

The speaking exam of the civic integration exam takes about 25 minutes and consists of two parts. In the first part, you have to complete sentences that you hear through a headset. For example, you hear: 'You want to make an appointment with the doctor. Say: I would like...' and then you have to complete the sentence. In the second part, you get questions about short videos that you see. For example, you have to tell what you see on the street or what you would do in a certain situation.

It is important to know that you do not have to speak perfectly. The examiner looks at whether you are understandable and whether you can convey the most important information. You do not need to make long sentences, but you do need to be clear. The level you need is A2, which means you can make short, simple sentences about everyday topics. Always check the current information about the exam with DUO or on My Civic Integration, because the rules can change.

How can you practice speaking at home?

You do not necessarily need a teacher to practice speaking. There are many ways to practice at home, even if you live alone. An effective method is to record yourself with your phone. Choose a topic, like 'tell about your day' or 'what do you do on the weekend', and record for a minute. Then listen back and pay attention to your pronunciation and sentence structure. You will quickly notice which words you often forget or which sounds are difficult.

Another way is to talk out loud while you are busy with daily things. Are you cooking? Then tell out loud what you are doing: 'I am cutting the onion. Now I am frying the onion in the pan.' This may sound crazy, but it helps you start talking automatically. You can also have a conversation with an imaginary person. Imagine you are at the counter at the municipality and ask out loud: 'Good morning, I would like to make an appointment for a new passport.' By doing this, you train yourself to think in Dutch.

Record yourself with your phone and listen back.
Talk out loud during daily activities, like cooking or cleaning.
Practice with a language buddy or a Dutch friend.
Watch Dutch TV programs and repeat sentences out loud.
Use the practice exams from Dutch Fluency to get used to the question format.

Common topics on the speaking exam

The speaking exam always deals with situations you encounter in the Netherlands. So it is smart to practice with topics you come across daily. Think of: grocery shopping, making an appointment with the doctor or dentist, talking to your child's teacher, having a conversation with your neighbors, or arranging something at the municipality. Topics like work, school, housing, and free time also come up often.

You do not need to know difficult words, but you do need to be able to tell what you need or what you want. For example: 'I have a headache, so I would like to make an appointment with the doctor.' Or: 'My child has a day off from school tomorrow, so I have to come to work later.' By practicing a lot with these topics, you become more confident and can react faster during the exam.

Grocery shopping: 'Where can I find the milk?'
Health: 'I do not feel well, I would like to make an appointment with the doctor.'
Work: 'I am late today because the train was delayed.'
School: 'My daughter has a test tomorrow, she has to go to school early.'
Municipality: 'I would like to change my address, can I do that here?'
Free time: 'On the weekend I like to go for a walk in the park.'

Practical example sentences for the speaking exam

Below you will find example sentences you can use during the speaking exam. Read them out loud and try to remember them. It is not the intention to memorize them, but to use them as a basis. You can adapt them to your own situation. Practice pronouncing the sentences, because good pronunciation is important for the exam.

I would like to make an appointment with the doctor, because I have back pain.
Can you repeat that? I did not hear it well.
Sorry, I do not speak Dutch very well yet. Can you speak slower?
I am looking for a house in this neighborhood. Do you know if there is anything for rent?
My child is sick, so I cannot come to work today.
I would like to open an account at the bank. What do I need for that?
What time does the train to Amsterdam leave?
I have an appointment with the municipality about my benefit.

Step-by-step plan: how to prepare in one week

One week is enough to practice in a focused way, if you approach it well. Plan half an hour to an hour each day for speaking practice. Make sure you alternate between different exercises so you do not get bored. Below is an example of how you can structure your week. Adjust it to your schedule and level.

Monday: Do a speaking practice exam from Dutch Fluency and note which questions you find difficult.
Tuesday: Practice completing sentences. Listen to a sentence and complete it, for example: 'I would like...' or 'Can you tell me where...'.
Wednesday: Watch a video from the Youth News and tell out loud what you have seen. Try to say at least five sentences.
Thursday: Practice with a language buddy or a Dutch friend. Ask if he or she wants to have a conversation with you about an everyday topic.
Friday: Record yourself answering questions from a practice exam. Listen back and improve your pronunciation.
Saturday: Repeat all the topics you practiced this week. Make a list of words you do not know yet and learn them.
Sunday: Rest, but do speak a little Dutch, for example in the store or to your neighbors.

Common mistakes (and what works instead)

During the speaking exam, many candidates make the same mistakes. Fortunately, you can avoid them if you know what to look out for. A common mistake is that people answer in their own language or take a very long time to think before saying something. It is better to answer right away, even if you make a mistake. The examiner wants to see that you can communicate, not that you speak perfect Dutch.

Another mistake is that people speak too softly or too quickly. Make sure you speak clearly and calmly, so the examiner can understand you well. It is also important not to speak in single words. Always make complete sentences, even if they are short. Do not just say 'yes' or 'no', but make it a sentence: 'Yes, I would like to make an appointment.'

Mistake: Thinking too long and staying silent. Fix: Say something, even if it is not perfect. You can always say: 'Let me think...'
Mistake: Answering in your own language. Fix: Stay in Dutch, even if you do not know all the words. Describe it instead.
Mistake: Speaking too fast. Fix: Speak calmly and breathe between sentences.
Mistake: Only saying 'yes' or 'no'. Fix: Make a full sentence, for example: 'Yes, I would like to make an appointment.'
Mistake: Being afraid to make mistakes. Fix: Remember that making mistakes is okay. The examiner wants to understand what you say.

Mini checklist for the day of the exam

On the day of the exam, you do not want surprises. Make sure you know where the exam is and how to get there. Bring your ID and your invitation. Make sure you are on time, because if you are late, you may not be allowed to take the exam. Below is a checklist you can tick off before you leave.

Bring your ID and invitation.
Make sure you know how to get to the exam center and plan extra travel time.
Eat and drink something before you go, so you are not on an empty stomach.
Bring a bottle of water, but note: not all centers allow drinks in the room.
Try to relax by taking deep breaths and remembering that you have practiced well.

How to practice this with Dutch Fluency

Dutch Fluency offers practice exams and exercises that closely resemble the real civic integration exam. For example, you can do the speaking practice exam to get used to the question format and time pressure. By practicing with real sample questions, you know what to expect and become more confident. You can also practice listening and reading, because you need those skills for the speaking exam as well, since you have to answer questions about videos.

Additionally, you can practice pronunciation and sentence structure in the Dutch Fluency app. The app gives you direct feedback, so you know what to improve. You can practice at any time of the day, on your phone or computer. By practicing regularly, you build a routine and speak better and better. Start practicing today, because every minute you practice brings you closer to your goal.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to practice for the civic integration speaking exam?

The best way is to talk out loud a lot and practice with practice exams. Record yourself, talk with a language buddy, and practice with sample questions. That way your mouth and ears get used to Dutch.

How long does the speaking exam of the civic integration exam take?

The speaking exam takes about 25 minutes. During that time, you get various tasks, like completing sentences and answering questions about short videos. Check the current duration with DUO, as it can change.

What kind of questions do you get on the speaking exam?

You get questions about everyday situations, like grocery shopping, making an appointment with the doctor, or arranging something at the municipality. For example, you have to tell what you see in a picture or what you would do in a certain situation.

Can I make mistakes during the speaking exam?

Yes, you are allowed to make mistakes. It is more important that you are understandable and that you convey the message. You do not need to make perfect sentences, but you do need to speak clearly and use complete sentences.

How can I improve my pronunciation for the speaking exam?

Listen to a lot of Dutch, for example to the Youth News or Dutch music, and repeat what you hear. Record yourself and compare your pronunciation with that of a native speaker. Also ask a Dutch person for feedback.

What should I bring to the speaking exam?

Bring your ID and your invitation. Make sure you are on time and know where the exam is. It is handy to bring a bottle of water, but check in advance if it is allowed.

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