How do I find a good NT2 school for my child?

Do you live abroad, or are you planning to move soon? Then sooner or later the question comes up: what do we do about Dutch?

But how do you choose the right one? You want a school you trust to teach your child Dutch properly and give them a solid foundation.

Here are the points worth paying attention to when choosing an NT2 school (Dutch as a second language) for your child.

1. Online or in-person Dutch lessons?

Should you go for online lessons or in-person classes? The best way to find out is to try both. Book a trial lesson for each and compare. Where do you think your child learned more? What did your child think, and how did it feel to you?

Travel time matters too. Do you have to drive a long way for in-person lessons, and are they on an inconvenient day? Or is the school nearby and easy to fit into your week?

Socially, both options have something to offer. It is great fun for children to use the language in a group with other Dutch-speaking children. But check that the children in the class are at a similar level. If not, your child may get bored, or find it far too difficult while the teacher doesn’t have enough time to give everyone the attention they need.

Many children who take Dutch lessons during the week already have plenty of social time at their regular school. So ask yourself: are the lessons mainly about the social side, or do you want your child to work at their own level and get the most out of every lesson?

2. A free online Dutch trial lesson

The best way to see whether online Dutch lessons suit your child is to take a free trial lesson. There is no commitment. Afterwards, you decide whether your son or daughter learned something and whether you want to continue.

A trial lesson also shows you whether your child clicks with the teacher. If there’s no click but you did like the lesson, simply ask your contact person for a different teacher.

It’s also worth checking whether your child keeps the same teacher after the trial lesson. A regular teacher makes a real difference for children. They become your point of contact in the Netherlands, and the longer your child takes lessons, the stronger the bond grows. Children often want to meet their teacher in person when they visit the Netherlands, and our teachers love that too.

3. How long has the NT2 school been around?

How long has the school or company been offering Dutch lessons? And do the teachers have several years of teaching experience?

Children do best with a teacher who knows what she’s doing: someone with a clear plan for her lessons, working towards a specific goal.

If you choose a school with qualified teachers, the lessons are far more likely to be well structured, both reassuring and challenging. That keeps them interesting and fun.

4. Are the lessons suitable for all ages?

Before you start, check whether your child can continue with the same school all the way through secondary school, up to the final year of VWO (pre-university secondary education). If not, you’ll need to switch to another (online) language school after primary school.

A school that teaches everyone from preschoolers to the end of secondary school means your child can keep going for years.

And if you move back to the Netherlands after some years abroad, you can show recent progress reports to your new school.

5. Qualified teachers

Plenty of people speak Dutch well, and plenty of people probably enjoy teaching. But most parents want their child to be taught by qualified teachers.

Check the website to see whether the teachers hold a Dutch primary teaching degree (PABO) or studied Dutch, and whether they have several years of experience teaching at a Dutch primary or secondary school.

6. Parent reviews

Can you find what parents say about the lessons on the website? Do these reviews make you curious, or even make you want to sign up your own child?

Also look at how many reviews there are and how far back they go. That tells you a lot about how long the school has been teaching.

7. Photos

Is there a page with photos of the lessons? Does it give you a good idea of what the lessons look like? Can you see the children having fun, and do you feel confident your child would enjoy it too?

Sometimes a picture says more than a thousand words, so take a look at the photos. Some schools also share short videos of lessons, which give you a good feel for the atmosphere.

8. Teaching methods

Does the school invest in up-to-date teaching materials? Is there a good mix of digital learning and work on paper?

Look for a page about methods, often under “Information”. It really helps if your child works with the same methods used in Dutch primary and secondary schools.

Can’t find the methods on the website? Then send them an email to ask. A random worksheet each week can be fun, but a proper method gives a structured build-up. It prevents your child from doing the same thing twice or, worse, missing something essential.

9. One-to-one or group lessons?

Think about what you prefer. In-person classes are usually group classes, with children of all different levels in one classroom. That makes it a real challenge for the teacher to give each child what they need. The upside is that children learn from each other, because they speak Dutch together while they play and work.

With one-to-one lessons, your child gets the teacher’s full attention for the entire lesson. All areas of language are covered, and every lesson ends with homework tailored to your child. The teacher notices straight away when something isn’t clear and can respond right then.

10. Lesson length

How long does a lesson last, and what suits your child? Does the school offer 30-minute lessons for preschoolers, whose attention span is still short? And can you easily switch to 45-minute lessons as your child gets older?

11. Teaching materials included

Are the teaching materials included in the price? Most schools mention this below their rates. If not, it’s worth sending a quick email to ask.

If materials aren’t included, ask for a clear overview of any extra costs.

12. Open to all levels, no entry test

As a parent, I always want to know whether my child can start regardless of their level. It stops children from feeling nervous before they even begin, for example because they first have to pass a test to be allowed in.

A level assessment at the start is very useful, of course. It tells the teacher where to begin, and your child gets early successes because they’re working with materials that match their level.

But having to pass a test just to be accepted can be stressful. It’s better to choose a school that works at every level and welcomes every child, whatever their starting point.

That means accessible materials for children who are brand new to Dutch. Suitable materials for children who speak some Dutch but can’t read or write it yet, or who are a few years behind. And challenging lessons for children who are already at level, because they had Dutch lessons in the Netherlands or abroad and want to keep it that way.

Moving back to the Netherlands and want to bring a school report? Then check whether the children are assessed regularly and receive a progress report.

13. Clear information

Check that the website gives enough information about the lessons and the organisation. Is there a Chamber of Commerce (KvK) number, a phone number so you can easily reach them with questions, and a (Dutch) address?

You’ll usually find these details in the footer or on the contact page.

14. Rates

Comparing is always a good idea. We are always open about our rates, with no hidden costs:

Have a look at what other schools charge to help you decide. Is the price reasonable, or very different from others? You can find our rates for online Dutch lessons on the rates page.

15. Regular blog updates

Would you like fun news, tips and facts about Dutch as a second language and life abroad? Then check whether the school has a blog that is updated regularly.

These posts are often shared on Facebook and Instagram. Follow the page and new posts will show up in your feed.

16. Frequently asked questions

I always read the FAQ page before an introductory call. Still have questions after that? I write them down and bring the list to the first call, so I can go through them with the teacher.

17. Summer sports camps

Would your child like to keep up their Dutch during the summer holidays? Then a Dutch sports camp might be just the thing.

Check whether your NT2 school has information about a Dutch sports camp, or even offers one combined with Dutch lessons.

18. Moving back to the Netherlands

Even after you’ve moved back, it can be helpful to continue online Dutch lessons for a while. Ideally with a teacher who adapts the lessons so they stay useful for your child.

Ask your NT2 school whether they’re willing to adjust the materials once you’ve moved. Can they help with school homework? In other words: is the teacher flexible enough to adapt the lessons to your child’s new situation?

Conclusion

A lot comes into play when your child starts (online) Dutch lessons. Decide for yourself what matters most to you. Then check on the website, or during an introductory call, whether the school can meet those needs. A free trial lesson gives you a clear picture of how a lesson works and whether the teacher you’re matched with is the right fit.

At Dutch for Kids, we offer our students the most complete package of lessons and support we can. We’re very grateful for the trust parents place in us to work with their children.

Would you like your child to learn Dutch too? Book a free online introductory meeting and trial lesson: