Choosing a Dutch course: group, private, intensive or online?
There are many ways to learn Dutch. The best course depends on your goal, your schedule and how fast you want to progress.
Types of Dutch courses
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Group course | Social, fixed rhythm, practise with others | The group sets the pace |
| Private lessons | Your own pace and topics, flexible times | You need your own motivation |
| Intensive course | Fast progress in a few weeks | Needs a lot of time and energy |
| Online course | No travel, easy to fit around work | Less contact with the group |
7 questions to ask a school
- How many students are in a group?
- Is there a placement test, so I start at the right level?
- Who are the teachers, and are they trained to teach NT2?
- Can I take a trial lesson?
- When and where are the lessons: daytime, evening, weekend, online?
- Is the course book included?
- Do I get a certificate, and does the school prepare for exams?
Tip: combine
Many people follow a group course and add a few private lessons for the hard parts. You get the routine of a group and extra help where you need it.
Compare schools in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Eindhoven or any other city.