“I’m not even sure if I should call you.”

A mother laughs softly on the other end of the phone.

“My daughter is actually doing really well at school. She’s excellent at maths. She loves reading. Her dream is to go to HAVO, maybe even VWO.”

Then she pauses.

“But Dutch isn’t her first language. The Doorstroomtoets is coming up, and I’m worried that her Dutch will affect the school advice she receives.”

It’s a conversation we’ve been having at Dutch for Kids for many years.

Not once.

Not ten times.

But every single school year.

When Dutch isn’t your child’s first language

Most of the children we support are not struggling learners.

In fact, quite the opposite.

Many of them speak two or even three languages.

Some have attended international schools for years. Others moved back to the Netherlands after living abroad and have now been in Dutch education for a year or two.

They work incredibly hard.

And most of the time, they’re doing really well.

But learning academic Dutch often requires just a little extra support.

Not because they’re less capable.

Simply because becoming fully confident in another language takes time.

Often, it’s the small things that make the difference

When we start working with a new student, we often notice the same pattern.

Their reading comprehension is usually much stronger than parents expect.

They understand texts.

They think logically.

They make connections.

But every now and then they stumble over an unfamiliar Dutch word.

A spelling rule.

Or a grammar structure that works differently from their first language.

Those are exactly the details that can make a difference during the Dutch Doorstroomtoets, the IEP test or the Cito test.

We don’t start with endless practice tests

Some parents expect us to immediately begin practising old exams.

But that’s actually not how we work.

Instead, we first strengthen the foundation.

Together we look at questions like:

• Which spelling rules does your child already master?
• Which grammar topics feel natural?
• How does your child approach reading comprehension?
• Which areas would benefit from some extra attention?

Sometimes we even revisit topics from Year 3 (Groep 5).

Not because a child is behind.

But because a strong foundation makes everything that follows much easier.

And that’s what builds confidence.

Confidence changes everything

Children quickly notice when something feels difficult.

During the very first lesson, we often hear things like:

“I’m just not very good at Dutch.”

A few months later, those same children often say:

“Actually… it’s not that difficult anymore.”

Or:

“Now I finally understand why that spelling rule works.”

That’s exactly what we’re aiming for.

Not just better results.

But children who feel calm, prepared and confident when they walk into an important test.

The phone calls we love most

Every year, after the Doorstroomtoets results are released, we receive wonderful messages from parents.

Their child received a HAVO recommendation.

Or even VWO.

Sometimes it’s a child who, just a few months earlier, was performing below the level they hoped for.

Those moments never stop being special.

Not because a score defines a child.

But because the language barrier no longer prevented them from showing what they were capable of all along.

Who are our lessons for?

Our online Dutch lessons are specially designed for children learning Dutch as a second language.

Many of our students:

• live abroad;
• come from expat families;
• have recently moved back to the Netherlands;
• attend an international school;
• are in Group 7 or Group 8;
• are preparing for the Doorstroomtoets, IEP or Cito;
• would benefit from extra support with reading comprehension, spelling, grammar or vocabulary.

Through personalised one-to-one online lessons, we strengthen their Dutch step by step, helping them approach important school assessments with confidence.

Because in the end, a test shouldn’t decide how talented a child is.

It should simply give them the opportunity to show everything they already know.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you specifically prepare children for the Doorstroomtoets?

Yes. We help children develop the Dutch language skills they need for the Doorstroomtoets, IEP and other Dutch primary school assessments. Rather than teaching test tricks, we focus on building strong language skills that last.

When should my child start preparing?

Many families begin in Group 7. This gives plenty of time to strengthen spelling, grammar, reading comprehension and vocabulary without creating unnecessary pressure. Children can also start in Group 8, depending on their individual situation.

My child hardly speaks Dutch at home. Is that a problem?

Not at all. That’s exactly the situation many of our students are in. Our lessons are specifically designed for children learning Dutch as a second language.

We live abroad. Can the lessons be taken online?

Absolutely. All our lessons are taught online in one-to-one sessions by experienced Dutch teachers. We have been supporting children around the world for more than thirteen years.

Do you also work on reading comprehension and spelling?

Yes. Those are often the areas where we see the greatest progress. We also focus on grammar, vocabulary and building confidence in using Dutch.

Can you guarantee a HAVO or VWO recommendation?

No. No one can honestly make that promise. What we can do is help children build stronger Dutch language skills and greater confidence, allowing them to show their true abilities during the Doorstroomtoets.

How often do children usually have lessons?

Most students have one or two lessons per week. Together we decide what works best based on your child’s level, goals and the time available before the Doorstroomtoets.

Are your lessons only for expat families?

No. Although many of our students come from expat families or live abroad, we also support children living in the Netherlands who are learning Dutch as a second language and would benefit from extra guidance.