Communication plays an important role in the world we live in, as witnessed by how much attention the concept receives in job descriptions. One of the five major tracks of the Leiden programme in Dutch Language and Culture is therefore, unsurprisingly, language proficiency. The other areas of study are: Modern Linguistics (language structure and language theory), Historical Linguistics (historical and regional development of Dutch), Historical Literature (literature of the medieval period, Renaissance and the 18th century) and Modern Literature (from the 19th century till today). Students initially take courses in all five areas of study, but towards the end of the programme, they are expected to specialize in one subject, and to drop another one as a result. Leiden University offers many advantages for the student of Dutch Language and Culture: the enormous collection of literature of the Maatschappij der Nederlandse Letterkunde (housed in the University Library), the Institute for Dutch Lexicology (where the world's largest dictionary ever was completed), a famous research centre for medieval literature, good contacts with South-African universities, and, each year, guest lectures by (famous) authors.

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