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Welcome to our Dutch language school, where learning Dutch is more than just a language course—it’s an experience. We take pride in creating an inspiring, international atmosphere where students from all over the world come together to master the Dutch language.

Our school was founded to combat the language barrier. Our initiative has grown into a language school with 300 students per year. The school is housed in a social enterprise. All revenue is used to sustain the International Center, and any profits are donated to the International Center Foundation.

Our dedication to high-quality education is reflected in our outstanding student ratings—we are proud to be rated 9.1/10. This achievement is made possible by our passionate teachers and motivated course participants who embark on their Dutch journey with us.

Whether you're new to the Netherlands or looking to refine your language skills, we welcome you to join our school. Learn Dutch, connect with people from different backgrounds, and immerse yourself in a truly enriching experience!

Our courses

A2 intake exam

Course waitlist

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Our Dutch courses

We offer group classes from A1 to B1 level, with groups of 10 to18 students. Our unique learning method focuses on extensive grammar explanations while maintaining an interactive and engaging environment. Our teaching materials include a textbook with online exercises, along with a well-structured homework and grammar overview.

Courses are taught from English to Dutch, so a good command of English is mandatory. Learning Dutch can be challenging, but we are here to support you! Our goal is to help you understand the language and train you to become a confident Dutch speaker. Our lessons focus on grammar, speaking, listening, and writing.

Our courses have a high-paced tempo. To succeed in this course, we expect you to study and complete homework assignments in preparation for each lesson. This requires approximately 3 to 4 hours per week. Self-study is an essential part of our courses. We use a flipped classroom approach, meaning you come to class prepared, receive training from the teacher, and practice with peers. Due to this method, we recommend that students have higher education experience or the ability to process complex information independently before joining the course.

Learning a language is often underestimated. According to the CEFR (see website), reaching a language level requires 80 - 100 hours of study. With us, lessons and tests account for about 40 hours, while the remaining study time is completed independently at home.

We can’t make learning Dutch effortless, but we can offer high-quality teaching methods, interactive lessons, and a fun learning environment. What makes our program unique is our personal approach. Every course includes:

Welcome drinks
Eighteen (18) classes
Personal feedback and guidance
Farewell drinks
Diploma of International Center Netherlands

Get in touch

Awesome teachers!

We take great pride in our staff. Every teacher is deeply committed to their students, giving their best to help them succeed. At our school, we prioritize personal attention and always go the extra mile. We offer free recap sessions to help you catch up. Additionally, our teachers provide feedback twice during the course, keeping you informed about your progress and offering valuable tips for improvement.

Lennert has been part of our team since 2019 and is the mastermind behind the A1 and A2 course programs. Though he originally earned a Law degree, he soon realized he wanted to make a more meaningful impact. His journey led him to Central America, where he discovered his passion for teaching. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he pursued a teaching career in Utrecht before joining our school. Today, in addition to teaching at the International Center, Lennert coordinates the online teaching program at the school in Utrecht.

Karlijn has always been fascinated by different cultures, especially languages. Her passion for exploring the world took her to many places. After earning a degree in Social Pedagogy, she traveled to Myanmar, where she began volunteering as an English teacher. Later, she lived and worked in New Zealand before returning to the Netherlands, where she started teaching Dutch as a volunteer. Realizing how much she loved it, she pursued an education to become a teacher. In 2020, she found her way to us—and we couldn’t be happier!

Zoë has been teaching since 2022. She earned her bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in 2017, followed by a master's in Cultural Anthropology (Sustainable Citizenship). During her studies, she became aware of the challenges internationals face in the Netherlands and was inspired to help. In 2018, she founded the International Center. Initially, she focused on social media, events, and back-office work at our Dutch school, but her passion for language and community led her to start teaching Dutch as well!

Jos studied Linguistics and Literature at KUT (now TiU). Throughout his diverse career, he has been a teacher, journalist, writer, and linguist. As passionate musician and language enthusiast, he has also developed Dutch course programs and exams for various universities. Though he recently retired, his love for the Dutch language remained strong—leading him to us. Since 2023, Jos has been part of our team, and he’s been loving it ever since!

Thom earned a bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology, where his internships teaching cultural projects at high schools sparked his passion for education. He went on to complete a master’s in Sustainable Citizenship, exploring how global interconnectedness influences migration and the gradual evolution of cultural change. After graduating in 2018, he joined Zoë in the field. Since 2022, he has been teaching at the International Center, continuing to share his knowledge and passion.

Dutch levels

Our courses follow a comprehensive curriculum based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This ensures that our programs align with European language learning standards, effectively prepare you for the state exam, and cover the essential knowledge required for inburgering. For more details, visit the 'Dutch state exam' tab.

Dutch on A1 level

In the A1 level, you will learn the basics of Dutch, with a strong focus on the present tense. To reach this level, you should expect to study approximately 80–100 hours. By the end of the course, you will have a vocabulary of around 1,000 common words related to everyday topics such as restaurants, markets, clothing stores, doctors, and housing. You will also gain a solid understanding of Dutch grammar, including: word order, pronouns, articles, nouns, verbs, adjectives, modal verbs, comparisons, negation, and perfectum (past tense). This level provides a strong foundation for further Dutch language learning.

Dutch on A2 level

In the A2 course, you will expand your knowledge of Dutch by learning about the past (imperfectum) and future (futurum) tense, as well as increasing your vocabulary. By the end of the course, you will be familiar with approximately 2,000 common words related to everyday situations such as: getting a gym description, travelling with public transport, going to the cinema, and filing a police report. You will also understand the grammar of imperfectum, future tense, separable verbs, reflexive verbs, and conjunctions. This level enables you to communicate more effectively and handle a wider range of everyday conversations in Dutch.

Dutch on B1 level

At our school, this level is taught over two separate courses, allowing for a deeper and more structured learning experience. At this stage, the focus shifts towards: a deeper understanding of the Dutch language, speaking and presenting in Dutch with confidence, expanding your vocabulary with more advanced words, engaging with more complex themes (career, education, emotions). This level equips you with the skills to handle more independent conversations and express yourself fluently in everyday and professional settings.

Important note: everyone learns at their own pace—some may need more time to absorb and apply the material, while others have more time to dedicate to the course. If you’re unable to commit the recommended study hours, you may find the pace challenging. It’s not uncommon for students to repeat a course due to time constraints or personal circumstances. Don’t be discouraged—learning a new language is a journey, and progress takes time!

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Dutch state exam

We frequently receive questions about learning Dutch as a second language, obtaining a certificate, the inburgering process, and how the system in the Netherlands works. It’s important to understand the distinction between Dutch courses and inburgering programs. Our courses focus solely on Dutch language learning and are not inburgering courses.

If you complete our courses, you will need to take a state exam to receive official government recognition of your language level. However, our courses provide you with all the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve the required proficiency. Read more below to find answers to our most frequently asked questions!

—"Do I receive a certificate / diploma after I finish the course?"

All our courses provide an International Center diploma if your teacher determines that you have reached the appropriate level and you pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%.

Please note: To receive official government recognition of your language level, you will need to take a separate state exam.

—"How can I receive governmental acknowledgement of my Dutch language level?"

In the Netherlands, the standard procedure requires you to pass a state exam to receive official government recognition of your language level. This applies to nearly all Dutch language schools, with the exception of official educational institutions such as universities.

—"What is the state exam NT2?"

The state exam is a governmental exam designed to prove your ability to use the Dutch language for living and working in the Netherlands. The exam includes writing, reading, speaking, and listening components, all of which are taken on a computer. It consists of two separate programs:

Program I: Required for inburgering and for those who wish to work or study at MBO 3/4 level.
Program II: Necessary for studying at an HBO (university of applied sciences) or university level.

—"Where and when can I make the state exam?"

The state exam is divided into multiple tests, each assessing a different aspect of the language: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. These exams are offered on various dates and at multiple locations throughout the year. You can check the upcoming exam dates here. The exams can be taken in the following six cities: Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and Zwolle.

How much does the state exam cost and where can I register?

The total cost of the state exam is €200 (€50 per section). You can register for the exam through DUO. To do so, you will need a DigiD—a free digital identification service used for government-related applications.

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Payment & Refund policy

International Center Netherlands is a social enterprise (74399489) with a non-profit ideology. All revenue is used to sustain the International Center, and any profits are donated to the International Center Foundation. Every action we take is guided by our commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for internationals.

To ensure the sustainability of our mission, we adhere to the following Terms & Conditions.

—"What are the terms of your refund policy?"

Refunds are not available in cases such as dropping out or not passing the course. If you have chosen to pay in instalments, you are still obligated to complete all remaining payments once the refund policy has expired.

You will receive a 100% refund if you cancel within 14 days of ordering the course (unless it already started or it will start within two weeks) or if International Center cancels the course.
You will receive a 50% refund if you cancel earlier than two weeks prior to the course starting.
You will receive a 25% refund if you cancel between one and two week prior to the course starting.

—"Can I receive an invoice for the course?"

Yes, of course! Send us an email with your request for an invoice.

—"How can I register and make a payment for the course?"

To register for a course, simply order it via our booking tool below. Our system requires you to pay a deposit to pre-register. During checkout, you can choose to pay the remaining fee all at once or in instalments. To complete your registration, we will send you a payment request via iDeal.

—"Is it possible to pay in instalments?"

We offer the option to pay the full course fee in 4 instalments, which can be selected during checkout. The first instalment is paid when you order the course via our website, while the remaining three instalments are spread out monthly. Please be aware that there is a €25 service fee for paying in instalments.

—"Can my employer cover the cost of my Dutch course?"

Yes, many participants have their employer cover the cost of their Dutch course. You can either pay for the course yourself or have your employer pay directly. If your employer is covering the cost, we may need additional information to ensure the invoice is correctly addressed to them.

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2023 Banner Image Layover Zoë Hanna

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GROUP
CLASSES

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Afternoon Dutch Course for Beginners
Learn Dutch on Monday and Thursday afternoons in the summer! Payable in four installments.
Starts Jun 30
From 495 euro
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Intensive Dutch Course for Beginners
Learn Dutch on Monday and Thursday evenings in the summer! Payable in four installments.
Starts Jun 30
From 495 euro
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Intensive Dutch Course for Basic Users
Learn Dutch on Monday and Thursday evenings in the summer! Payable in four installments.
Starts Jun 30
From 495 euro
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Course waitlist

All courses

Course waitlist

DUTCH COURSES

GROUP CLASSES

Afternoon Dutch Course for Beginners

Intensive Dutch Course for Beginners

Intensive Dutch Course for Basic Users

DUTCH
COURSES

GROUP
CLASSES