UPDATE: no more courses in Amsterdam, only at our Language Campus

Our school in Drenthe had always been the best choice for the group experience and the costs of the accommodation. In 2015 we had 50% of our students in Amsterdam. But gradually more and more students discovered Drenthe: a great nature environment to focus on your studies, the fact that the people in town still speak Dutch (it has become almost impossible to practise your Dutch in Amsterdam), and the fun group atmosphere (while in Amsterdam people had their individual reasons to visit the city).

Satisfaction rates and client return rates have always been higher in Drenthe. And people who completed the course in both places, usually told us the Drenthe experience was better. Additionally: in Amsterdam the accommodation prices have doubled since 2015, in Drenthe we still can keep the accommodation costs attractive. Even for expats living in Amsterdam, our Drenthe offer seemed more attractive: to leave the hassle of the daily life bedind to focus on your studies.

100% focus is what we advertise. That is what counts for us too. Instead of commuting between Amsterdam and Drenthe to manage our courses on two locations, we will now focus on our Language Campus.

Intensive Dutch course: it’s all about focus!

A Dutch language course once or twice a week after a busy day at work?! This way, it might take ages to reach the next level … especially in a group where people skip class or don’t do the homework.

Therefore: make learning Dutch a priority during your summer holiday.

Leave the hassle of your daily live behind. Join us in an inspiring and fun learning environment. Join a group in which everyone is committed to learn Dutch fast!

And if you’re travelling from another country, book a reasonably priced room at The Student Hub – Amsterdam West (walking distance).

Please note, our school in Amsterdam is not our main location. You will find more options (levels, dates) and a better group experience at our Language Campus in Drenthe, where everybody books a course with accommodation at the holiday park. In Amsterdam, people come to class and then go home. No extra social activities…  whereas in Drenthe people live and study together and usually speak in Dutch all day (not just inside the classroom).

The advantages of doing a course in at our school in Amsterdam:
– it’s easier to commute if you live closeby
– it’s a better location if you want to explore Amsterdam and other cities in Randstad area
– the course in Amsterdam has an extra day of class and a weekend off after the first week (in Drenthe it’s 9 days in a sequence or 1 day off)

We strongly recommend to consider our school in Drenthe too when you make a choice, please check: Amsterdam vs Drenthe.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. A city with a rich history and culture. If you want to get to know the Netherlands, then start here!

Amsterdam is a multicultural city: many expats, tourists and international students. Inhabitants of Amsterdam are open and friendly. You will find out how easy it is to get to know new people. All chances to practise your Dutch (although locals are used to speaking English to foreigners).

Amsterdam is located centrally in the Netherlands. From airport to city: just a few minutes by public transport. Other Dutch cities (Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague) are easy to reach by train in less than an hour. Tourist attractions: Zaanse Schans (windmills), Alkmaar (cheese market) and Volendam (typical Dutch fishermen’s village) are located within half an hour.

Our students

Every year about 300-350 people from all over the world participate in the Dutch Summer School. Have a look at the pictures and testimonials.

Age

The minimum age is 18 years. About 30% is below 25, 40% between 25-40, and 30% is above 40 years old.

Nationalities

Participants come from all over the over the world, no specific nationalities are overrepresented. Half are expats living in the Netherlands. The other half travels from abroad to do this course.

Objectives

Relocation, work, study, civic integration exam, Dutch roots and/or relatives. On the higher levels: mainly to improve the positions at the labour market.

Instruction language & education level

Command of the English language is obligatory on the levels 0, A1 and A2 (instruction language). On the higher levels, the teacher speaks only Dutch. The course is fast-paced aimed at higher educated learners.

Reviews

Click here for more testimonials.

If you can’t visit our school in Amsterdam:

Drenthe Language Campus

Most students visit the main location of the Dutch Summer School: our Language Campus at a holiday park Drenthe. We offer more levels, more course dates, and we also offer the format weekend+week+weekend in Drenthe. Participants live together in holiday houses and speak Dutch with each other (especially levels 3, 4, 5, 6 and R).

Rest of the year 

Especially for the people who would like to have an efficient use of their holidays: we offer the same programme as a 9-day course (weekend+week+weekend) in January / April / October / November. You’ll have the full course, so you’ll need to ask only 1 week off of work. Visit dutchwinterschool.nl.

Virtual Classroom 

If you have different plans to spend your holidays: we offer the same educational programme online. Two evenings per week. It’s definitely not as fun as an in-person course. And you’ll miss out on all the social interaction outside the lessons! But it’s still surprisingly effective. Learn more about our Virtual Classrooms.

Our own method (levels 0, A1, A2, B1, B2)

We developed own learning method: Het Lesboek. Lesboek 1 for level 1+2 (0-A2), Lesboek 2 for 3+4 (A2-B1) and Lesboek 3 for level 5+6 (B1/B2). This method integrates with Bart de Pau’s online materials (the online course #dutchgrammar and the ‘Heb je zin?’ videos where Dutch grammar and vocabulary is applied in daily conversations).

It’s is more than just a book: every lesson is a completely prepared set of presentations, role plays, games, speaking exercises, with a strong focus on applying vocabulary and grammar in real conversations.

Our method is based on the flipped classroom. Learn more in this article why the flipped classroom is so effective.

E-learning: special offer!

The students of the Dutch Summer School will get free access to the e-learning package during the course:
– #dutchgrammar-1 (from 0 till A1)
– #dutchgrammar-2 (from A1 till A2)
– #dutchgrammar-3 (A2/B1)

Access is included:
– from 1 month before the course until 1 month after the course

Can’t wait? You can also buy premium access that gives you 1 year access to these packages (49€ + tax per level). It can be helpful:
– to prepare online prior to the summer
– to review after your summer school participation

Everyone can buy e-learning package #dutchgrammar (also if you don’t attend the summer course).

CNaVT Exam

Bart de Pau Language Courses BV is a registered exam institution for the CNaVT exam. CNaVT stands for ‘Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal’.

There are 5 different exams:
– A2 – Maatschappelijk informeel
– B1 – Maatschappelijk formeel
– B2 – Zakelijk professioneel
– B2 – Educatief startbekwaam
– C1 – Educatief professioneel

CNaVT is an officially recognised certificate.

– A2 or B1 may* give you exemption from certain parts of civic integration exam (in the Netherlands and Belgium), and may* be accepted in your procedure to get a Dutch passport
– B2 Educatief may* allow to to enter a university (to do a study in Dutch)
– B1/B2 may* allow you to work in certain sectors (healthcare, BIG-register)
– C1 Educatief may* allow you to teach in Dutch

* please note: we write ‘may’ -> we recommend to check for your specific situation if and which CNaVT certificate is accepted.

The CNaVT exam is held every year in May. Students of Bart de Pau Language Courses BV have the chance to register for this exam and do the exam. The exam and application procedure will be announced in the newsletter.

More information: cnavt.org