Our Teaching Philosophy &
Methods

Learning Dutch the natural way

How did you learn your first language? Your first book was (hopefully) not a grammar book. No, you learned your first language through a very simple process of copying, mimicking, and reproducing the sounds and facial expressions around you. You developed your speaking skills step by step through questions and answers in the context of your daily activities.

This is the same process you’ll follow at the School for Dutch.

A curriculum built on trial and error

You can’t learn without making mistakes; trial and error is an inevitable part of learning anything new, but especially a new language. At the School for Dutch, we focus on creating a safe, supportive space, where everyone feels confident to take that first step and just try. When learning a new language, it is important not to overthink things and accept mistakes as part of the process. We provide a judgement free environment that will help you build the courage to practice beyond the classroom in restaurants, shops, at work, at home, and beyond.

This is the same process you’ll follow at the School for Dutch.

Language always functions in a frame

Learning a language means far more than just memorizing words and learning grammar rules. Language always functions in a frame. The same word in a different context can mean something very different. Becoming aware of these frames is more important than just learning words and rules. At the School for Dutch, our courses focus on teaching you to recognize frames and contexts in order to understand the correct words and grammar to use.

Approaching language as music

You can easily compare learning a language to learning new music. At first, you might remember only part of the tune, but as you hear a song more and more, you start to remember the whole flow and add the lyrics in bit by bit. So is it with language. You need to listen, repeat, and be immersed in order to progress. Even if it’s for only 5 minutes a day, putting yourself in a “Dutch bubble” by listening to music or watching TV will help you understand how the language is used in everyday life. At the School for Dutch, we’ll give you the tools to make the most of your everyday Dutch moments in order to build up the language bit by bit, just like a new hit song.

Learn while having fun

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

– Nelson Mandela

Test your level of Dutch

If you’ve been in the Netherlands for a while, chances are you’ve picked up some Dutch along the way. Complete our simple test to assess your level and find out which Dutch class is right for you!

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Our Teaching Philosophy &Methods