A video course (like #dutchgrammar) is an automated course, self study. It’s one-way teaching (transfer of information to the student). A video course has online exercises to practise. You can do it in your own pace (and you might need some self discipline to really do it).

The advantages of a course in a virtual classroom:
– there is a teacher to ask questions and to motivate you
– there are fellow students to practise speaking Dutch
– it’s not only theory, it’s also building skills (speaking/listening)
– it’s very interactive, and has a high social component
– you don’t miss out on the videos: it’s the same materials, but the virtual classrooom is EXTRA
– conversation exercises: you will practise conversation (what you’ve learned from the videos)
– if you lack self discipline, then this is a format where you simply HAVE TO show up (and do the homework)
– you’re with fellow students who all make learning Dutch a priority
– you meet people to hang out with (even online) and practise Dutch outside the classrooms

When should you NOT book our course?

We don’t have the goal of selling as much courses as possible. We really want to have the right mix of students, people who are motivated and like our concept. Only that way, we can create together the best possible learning environment.

For this reason, we advise when you should NOT book our courses.

Don’t book our courses if you don’t master English

We use English as the instruction language on the lower levels AND in the #dutchgrammar videos. Many studies have proven that using an instruction language for explanation is more efficient than full immersion (where the teacher only speaks in Dutch). That doesn’t mean that the teacher only speaks in English in the virtual classroom. On the beginner the teacher will use English a lot, and on level 3 a bit or almost not. Only on the higher levels 4 and R the teacher speaks only in Dutch.

Secondly, English is the organisation’s language (letters, announcements will be made in English, because we always have beginner groups and we want everybody to understand everything).

Don’t just send someone else to our course…

Important remark for employers, parents, spouses and other sponsors…

Most of our students book and pay for this course themselves. The student has found us on the internet… perhaps is using our online materials and then decides to do an investment. This is the best possible motivation.

If you are an employer who wants to send an employee, or you are a parent and want to send your child… then please be sure that your employee or child have 100% motivation to learn the language and to do that in our way.

Our whole method is created based on the inner motivation of the student to learn Dutch. This is not a strict system, where students are punished when not doing the homework, or where they need to pass an exam in the end. Our students should have the true desire to learn this language (not because someone else wants this and pays for the course!).

We consider this one of our strongest points. Both students and teachers who had classes at other language schools, confirm that the overall level of motivation of the students is exceptionally high at our program, which boosts the group result.

It is a course for adults, not for children

We are frequently contacted by parents who want a course for their children. The age requirement is 18+, but – students from 14-18 can apply, taking the following into account:

Please note that this course has a method and topics that are for adults.
Method: it’s not a ‘school’ system where the teacher will check the homework and contact het parents in case there are issues with the student. Our method is based on an inner (strong) motivation to learn the language. If the parents want it more than the student, then it’s not going to work with our method.
Topics: the topics that we cover in our materials are typical adult topics. We learn to use Dutch in situations as a job interview, getting a mortgage, dating, etc.

Don’t book this course if you don’t like homework

Our students do this course to really learn the language. Our students want results. A very important factor to get results is self study. Count on 3-4 hours per day. That is really essential.

We work with the flipped-classroom principle. That means that each student prepares for the next lesson with our online materials. This means, that in class we can focus on applying the acquired knowledge. That makes the lessons more efficient and interactive. It has no sense to come to class without having done the homework.

You don’t like Bart de Pau’s videos?

The videos are an important part of the homework. If you don’t like the style of Bart de Pau’s teaching in the #dutchgrammar and ‘Heb je zin?‘ videos, then this course is probably not for you.

Don’t book this course is you don’t have stable internet / basic computer skills

Please make sure you have a stable internet connection, that is fast enough to stream videos. That is important for both the virtual classroom lessons as the online videos. Additionally, don’t book this couse without basic computer skills, so that you’re able to install Zoom, open a document, receive e-mail etc.

Working at the same time?

We have 2 intensities: twice per week, or an intensive 2-week course.

Don’t book the intensive 2-week course if you plan to work at the same time. It’s simply too intensive. Count on 3-4 hours of homework additional to the hours in class. In the free hours… some rest is also important.

The majority of our students are higher educated

We don’t have a strict requirement that everybody should have higher education. But people who pay for the course themselves and who prefer a method that has English as the instruction language are generally higher educated people. Our students are doctors, programmers, managers, entrepreneurs etc. Usually a mix of higher educated expats, international students, and people who live abroad with an interest in learning languages. Our courses have a challenging pace.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t participate at our courses if you didn’t finish university… But if you think you are slow in learning languages… count on spending more time on your homework and a decent preparation prior to the course (with the help of our e-learning package) and the program with twice-a-week class might be more suitable for you (you will have more time available to do the homework0.

RESUMING

You don’t find a reason above NOT to book our course? Well, then probably this course is made for you!

LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

Please have a look at our detailed specification of levels, before you enroll at our Summer School.

DETERMINE YOUR LEVEL NOW:

If you don’t know your level, please do the level determination test first. It will give a good advice on what level you should enroll if you would do the course now.

IF YOU DOUBT

Give us a call on +31648074618 after you did the level test on the website, to help you determine the right level.

SWITCHING LEVELS DURING THE COURSE

It is important to determine the level beforehand. Switching levels is possible until 3 weeks prior to the course (if there are available spots on the other level).

There is no specific deadline for application. As long as we have availability, you can book the course.

In general most groups reach full booking 3-4 weeks prior to the start of the course, so we recommend not to wait booking till the last moment.

You pay when you make your reservation. Your spot is secured after the payment has been received. You can pay online using iDeal or credit card.

You can’t pay with a credit card/iDeal? Please contact study@bartdepau.com and we’ll provide you an alternative payment option.

Yes, we issue a certificate, when 80% of the lessons are attended. As it’s an online course, the certificate is a pdf-file.

What is the value of the certificate:
It will proove your participation. You can show your employer, put it on the wall or on your resume. You can use it as an indication when taking a language course elsewhere.

What it is not:
Our certificate will not exempt you from any exam of the Dutch government. Such as the ‘inburgeringsexamen’ (civic integration exam) or the ‘basis examen inburgering buitenland’ (Basic Civic Integration Examination Abroad). In the Netherlands, only the government can issue certificates that have legal value, and language schools can only help you to prepare for that.

Are you worried that you can’t do this course, because the book won’t reach you (in time)?

We send the book all over the world. To some parts of the world it could take while and you might be worried that you don’t get the book before the start of the course.

No need to worry!

We have an e-version of the book!

The e-version of the book is available for:
– anyone who ordered the book, but didn’t receive it in time (you will get a temporary access)
– anyone who indicates to prefer the online version of the book in stead of the paper version (and you’ll save shipment costs)

Access to #dutchgrammar is included from 4 weeks prior to the start of the course until 4 weeks after the end date of the course.

Please note:
– if you apply less than 4 weeks prior to the course there is no compensation in a way that you can use it longer after the course; it’s an extra motivation to book the course early (and have maximum benefit from #dutchgrammar)
– there is no discount, if you already bought a 1-year license #dutchgrammar before; these are different subscriptions, the regular #dutchgrammar license is for a year, while the access that is included in the virtual classroom course is only during the course
– access to the other online materials is forever, only the #dutchgrammar materials expire after the course (and you can purchase a year-license with you want to continue using them)

We have a waiting list system.

Put your name on the waiting list, and indicate:
– your level
– the dates your available
– possible timetables

If enough people have a similar interest, we’ll open extra groups. You can also put your name on the waiting list if a course that you want to do is full (and we’ll inform you if spots come available – which happens when people switch course levels/dates).

The course is currently offered at a discount rate. We have 1 rate. The rate is the same for everybody. The price per level is the same if you book more levels. That way we keep our accounting simple and we keep the overall price attractive.

Yes, you can. A Dutch language course like ours, is a very good way to increase your level of Dutch and to prepare for such an exam.

An important note:
Our courses are focussed on acquiring Dutch language knowledge in general, with the goal to really use it (and not just to pass the exam and then forget about it). We might cover certain aspects of language learning in more detail than is required for the exam. Not all our students have the purpose to pass an exam. Therefore, our courses are not specifically aimed at exam training and do not cover the non-language elements of the civic integration exam (like ONA, KNS).