UPDATE: there will be no Dutch Summer School in Amsterdam in 2024.
We decided to stop our Summer School in Amsterdam. The main resaons for this decision:
– our landlord in Amsterdam stopped its operations
– by 31 March 2024, more than 99% of the Summer School reservations were for our language campus in Drenthe. Less than 1% for our school in Amsterdam.
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.
If at any point in the future we see an increased demand for a Summer School in Amsterdam, we’ll definitely reconsider our decision.
intensive Dutch course for higher educated adults
in July / August in Amsterdam
student residence (optional) within walking distance
2-week intensive courses per level
a proven engaging & efficient approach
since 2015
recognitions: NRTO, CRKBO, Bildungsurlaub
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.
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.
Programme & prices 2024 (Language Campus Drenthe only)
* If you would like to do a course that is indicated as ‘full’, please send an email to study@bartdepau.com to be listed on the waiting list. Indicate location + course date + level. It often happens that spots come available last-minute due to cancellations.
Choose:
– level 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, R
(read: level descriptions)
– location & date
– accommodation (optional)
If you choose more than 1 session: make a separate booking for the next level at a later date. The Drenthe programme is too intensive to book 2 levels without break.
The prices of offline courses include: coffee/tea/water during lessons, access to online package #dutchgrammar-1, #dutchgrammar 2 and #dutchgrammar-3 (from 1 month before the course until 1 month after the course). Book not included (€ 45).
* 1 academic hour = 45 minutes.
The prices above include taxes in case applicable:
– levels 1 & 2 are excempt from VAT as ‘general language education’
– levels 3, 4, 5, 6 are excempt from VAT as ‘vocational education with CRKBO registration’
– accommodation prices include 9% VAT and tourist tax
Housing
Since the start of our programme in 2015, we work with The Social Hub – Amsterdam West, previously called The Student Hotel. This residence is located within walking distance from our school. It offers a single room with a private bathroom. The room has a desk, a television, and wifi internet. There is a weekly cleaning / change of linen.
There is a canteen (with reasonably priced meals), a gym (free), a library / study area (free), a gaming room (free), a laundry service (paid).
Great value in a city with sky rocket hotel prices!
Please note: from 2022 Amsterdam accommodation is not offered as part of a package fee, you can book a ‘lessons-only’ package on our website, and the accommodation directly at The Social Hub – Amsterdam West. The terms and conditions of the hotel will apply.
From student residence: 5-10 minutes per bike / 10-20 minutes walk.
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
Bart de Pau Language Courses (BLC)
Tel: +31-648074618
Mail: study@bartdepau.com
Member of the Dutch Council for Training and Education, holder of the NRTO quality mark, CRKBO-certified (short vocational education), Bildungsurlaub approved (Brandenburg, Niedersachsen, Reinland-Pfalz, Saarland), Registered CNaVT Exam institute
