Vocabulary Focus: Current Affairs and News (B2 Level)

To understand and discuss current affairs and news at a B2 level, you need specific vocabulary related to politics, society, the economy, and global events. This allows you to read newspaper articles, watch news broadcasts, and participate in discussions about what's happening in the world.

Key Vocabulary Areas for B2:

1. Politics and Government:

• regering (government), parlement (parliament), verkiezingen (elections), partij (party), politicus/politica (politician), wet (law), beleid (policy), minister (minister), premier (prime minister), president (president), gemeente (municipality), burgemeester (mayor), democratie (democracy), dictatuur (dictatorship), debat (debate).

1. Economy and Finance:

• economie (economy), crisis (crisis), groei (growth), werkloosheid (unemployment), inflatie (inflation), belastingen (taxes), begroting (budget), bedrijf (company), markt (market), handel (trade), investering (investment), rente (interest rate).

1. Social Issues:

• maatschappij (society), cultuur (culture), onderwijs (education), gezondheidszorg (healthcare), milieu (environment), klimaatverandering (climate change), duurzaamheid (sustainability), immigratie (immigration), integratie (integration), discriminatie (discrimination), gelijkheid (equality), armoede (poverty), criminaliteit (crime).

1. International Relations and Conflict:

• internationaal (international), buitenland (abroad), land (country), grens (border), oorlog (war), vrede (peace), conflict (conflict), onderhandelingen (negotiations), verdrag (treaty), vluchteling (refugee), samenwerking (cooperation), spanning (tension).

1. Media and Reporting:

• nieuws (news), bericht (report/message), artikel (article), krant (newspaper), journaal (news broadcast), bron (source), verslaggever (reporter), interview (interview), aankondigen (to announce), beweren (to claim), melden (to report), volgens (according to).

1. Verbs and Phrases for Events:

• plaatsvinden (to take place), gebeuren (to happen), leiden tot (to lead to), veroorzaken (to cause), toenemen (to increase), afnemen / dalen (to decrease), ontwikkelen (to develop), protesteren (to protest), demonstreren (to demonstrate), ingrijpen (to intervene).

Importance for B2:

• Allows you to follow news from Dutch-speaking countries and internationally.
• Enables you to understand the main points of articles and reports on contemporary issues.
• Provides the vocabulary needed to discuss current events with others.
• Crucial for staying informed and engaging with the society around you.

Learning Strategy:

• Regular Exposure: Read Dutch news websites (e.g., NOS.nl, NU.nl, VRT NWS), watch the journaal or other news programs, listen to news podcasts.
• Focus on Headlines: Start by understanding headlines and lead paragraphs.
• Contextual Learning: Don't just memorize lists; learn words as they appear in news stories.
• Thematic Learning: Focus on vocabulary related to specific ongoing news topics (e.g., elections, climate change).
• Use News Apps/Sites for Learners: Some resources simplify news for language learners.