TL;DR

  • Coutinho is a Dutch educational publisher, now part of Boom Publishers, specialising in NT2 learning materials.
  • Key titles include Nederlands in gang (A1-A2), the Sterrenreeks, DISK, and NT2 op maat.
  • Materials are primarily designed for classroom use but some titles support self-study through online practice environments.
  • Good fit for: learners enrolled in a Dutch course who want supplementary structured practice, and NT2 teachers looking for curriculum materials.

What is Coutinho NT2?

Coutinho is a long-established Dutch educational publisher. Its NT2 catalogue — books and digital materials for learners of Dutch as a second language — is one of the larger collections in the Netherlands and Flanders. The publisher has been integrated into Boom Publishers, and its NT2 materials are now sold and supported through NT2 School and Boom NT2.

The catalogue spans from absolute beginner to advanced, with titles for different learner populations: adult newcomers, secondary school students in international bridging classes (ISK), and higher-education students.

Key titles

Several Coutinho series are widely used in Dutch language education:

  • Nederlands in gang — a full A1-A2 coursebook covering reading, writing, listening, and speaking. A revised edition is expected in July 2026. Widely assigned in university and adult education NT2 programmes.
  • Sterrenreeks — a series targeting specific skills at specific levels, such as Ster in schrijven (writing at A2) and Ster in lezen (reading). Designed for ISK students but useful for any learner wanting focused skill practice.
  • DISK — a method for ISK students currently being revised with a new structure. Focused on younger learners in Dutch secondary education.
  • NT2 op maat — a flexible series allowing teachers to mix and match materials for different learner profiles.
  • Plein 16 and LINK — additional methods for beginner and intermediate learners.

The full catalogue also includes titles on Dutch culture, pronunciation, and exam preparation.

Classroom vs. self-study

Most Coutinho NT2 books are designed for classroom instruction. They assume a teacher is present to explain concepts, lead speaking activities, and provide feedback. The exercises and progression are built around group learning dynamics.

That said, newer editions increasingly include online practice environments — digital exercises with automated feedback — which make self-study more feasible. A motivated self-study learner could work through Nederlands in gang with the online component, though they would miss out on speaking practice and live correction.

Who is it for?

Coutinho NT2 materials work well for:

  • Learners already enrolled in a Dutch course who want extra structured practice
  • NT2 teachers looking for tested, curriculum-aligned materials
  • Self-study learners who are comfortable with textbook-based learning and can supplement speaking practice elsewhere

They are less suitable for learners who prefer app-based, gamified learning or who need a fully self-contained online course. The materials are traditional in format and assume a degree of learner independence.