Dutch Language Courses in the Netherlands

Kickstart School, The Hague:
Kickstart School is a Dutch language school in The Hague, centrally located at Laan Copes van Cattenburch 86 in a beautiful 19th century building. We provide Dutch language & English language courses to students at all levels - from total beginners to advanced.

Dutch Language Courses:

Starterpack - the Beginners' Course - Group size: 4 to 8/10 students:
This course aims to provide you with the tools you need to cope with the real-life situations you encounter in your daily life in Holland: speaking on the phone, shopping, filling out forms, understanding traffic signs and going to a restaurant. We provide you with all the necessary language skills which help to build your confidence in communicating with people in your new environment.

The emphasis in class is on learning by doing. Basic grammar will be taught but only to support the learning process of active speaking and a good comprehension of the spoken word.

A major focus of the content of this course is on etiquette, behaviour and social norms in the Netherlands. The course aims to provide you with not just language skills, but the cultural information you need to successfully navigate within Dutch society. The cultural differences between your culture and that of the Dutch people are also examined.

You can choose between a number of different course formats:
• 12 sessions of 2 hours, once a week; (regular)
• 8 sessions of 3 hours, two times per week; (semi-intensive)
• 2 times 12 sessions of 1 hour (the so called Lunch & Learn option; see Tailor Made Courses)

In terms of the European Reference Charter this course aims to get you to the A1+ level.

Basic Dutch for Au Pairs - Group size: 4 -12 students:

Course Objective:This course has been specifically developed to enable your au pair to quickly learn essential Dutch phrases in order to integrate into your community. The focal point of the course is communication with children.

The lessons are provided in a group setting with a maximum of 12 participants. We recommend that German Au Pairs start their learning of Dutch at Stepping Stone II or Stepping Stone III level of the 'Expat Language Courses'.

Course Material:  Kickstart’s course material is specifically tailored to the needs of Au Pairs. We have used the actual experiences of Au Pairs and their host families in order to develop and test this programme. For instance, the vocabulary and topics discussed are directly relevant to the daily lives of Au Pairs. Some knowledge of English is required to take this course.

Course Contents:  The following topics are covered:
Traffic safety (instructions for taking the children to school and picking them up)
General care (instructions for 'dinner time', getting dressed, etc.)
Playtime (possible activities)
Emergencies (including questions about aches, pains and injuries)
Greeting the children and asking them about their day (picking up from school)
Reading to the children
Describing the environment (animals, shops, etc.)
The homework for this course takes up 1.5 to 2 hours per lesson.

Course Details:  The courseconsists of 24 hours of tuition. Lessons take place either twice weekly: on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 20:00 - 22:00 hours (12 lessons), or weekly: on Wednesday mornings from 8:45 - 11:45 hours (8 lessons). 

Intermediate Dutch Courses for Au Pairs
Au Pairs who have completed the Basic Course and wish to continue learning Dutch may progress to the Stepping Stone I, II and III Language Courses.

We recommend that German Au Pairs start their learning of Dutch at Stepping Stone II or Stepping Stone III level. They will receive the discount which is available to post-secondary students.

For best results, it is necessary for potential students to put in a certain amount of self-study by way of preparation for these courses. Please email us via our Contact Us page for advice or to make an appointment for an assessment.

Stepping Stone I, II and III Intermediate courses - Group size: 4 to 8/10 students:

All three courses have the same format in which emphasis is placed on improving fluency in speaking and expanding vocabulary. Grammar is an integral part of all three Intermediate courses.

Stepping Stone I will start with a revision of the basics. Learning about the Dutch culture plays a central part in all three courses. It is possible to enroll for a course after it has started. Students might however need to have a number of private ‘catch-up’ lessons before they can join the course. 

Intake: It is recommended to make an appointment to assess your level. It is free of charge.

Exam Preparation Course for the Staatsexamen NT2- programma I (18 hours) or Programme II (35 hours)
Dutch NT2 exam training is one of the special focus areas of the Kickstart School. Through focused coaching sessions the students are prepared for either the NT2 programme I or programme II exams. Our courses will provide you with the necessary skills and abilities to take the test with confidence.

Digital Writing Courses - ‘Social Dutch’ / “Business Dutch”:
This writing course is available at two levels. The first one is designed for students who have achieved level B1 and leads to level B2. It is the ideal preparation for the writing section of the NT2-exam Programme II.

The second course, is for students who are at level B2, giving them the possibility progress to level C1. The content of this course can be adjusted according to your specific requirements and objectives. The standard courses have a section which focuses on ‘social Dutch’ and one which deals with “business Dutch”.

You will do each assignment at your own pace and send your work to your tutor by email. The tutor reviews the work and comments on specific aspects which need improving. They then return the work to you so that you can make the improvements as required. You then return it again to the tutor. This two-phased approach has proven to be very effective in improving a student’s writing ability.

Corporate Customised Dutch Courses:
Kickstart can organize tailor-made group courses at all levels for people who wish to form their own group. We can teach these courses at our school or at your home or workplace, if required. One of the popular options is the Lunch & Learn format. Each lesson takes 1 hour and typically starts at 12:00. Students can bring their own lunch. Drinks will be provided. We can also provide customised language courses for your staff.

Private Dutch Lessons:
These private lessons can be held at the school at Koninginnegracht 66 or 72 or at your home or work place, if required. (In some cases we will have to charge for the travelling time.) Before the lessons start, a personal plan which is entirely tailored to your wishes is made and discussed with you. The programme can be altered at any time to continuously reflect your need through regular feedback. Usually these lessons last 1 hour and are totally flexible.

Dutch Culture and Conversation Programme:
By joining this Dutch culture conversation group, you will get a chance to further your knowledge about several aspects of historical and contemporary Dutch culture. This conversation-based group covers a wide variety of ‘every day’ topics allowing you to delve deeper into topics that interests you. This course is meant for anyone who would like to keep up their Dutch language skills in a fun and meaningful way.

The level of Dutch is about B1(-B2). The format is 12 sessions of 2 hours. We offer you a "Money back guarantee". If you are not satisfied after the first lesson, you can get your course money back (less €15 administration costs). So, why not give it a try?

Further Language Instruction:
- Summer Dutch Courses
- English Language Courses