So you want to learn Dutch, but you have no idea where to start? Or you want to seriously improve your Dutch, after learning a little bit of the language on your own? The information on this page will guide you in the right direction!
Would you rather talk to one of us in person? Please feel free to contact our office!
Now let’s get started to help you find the right course! Choose one of the scenarios below to find out what you need to do, to get going and learn Dutch!
I am an absolute beginner
Are you an absolute beginner, with zero knowledge of Dutch? You can directly enrol in a course that starts at A0 without doing an intake first.
Courses that start at A0 have no prerequisites, so an intake is not required. Grammar will be explained in English (if needed). Therefore you need to speak some English.
We have two courses that start from A0.
Beginners A1
– The Beginners A1 course is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
– An intake is not required
– There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hour per week
– You can choose between a morning and an evening course
– Duration: 7 weeks
– After seven weeks you will have reached level A1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intensive Beginners A1 - A2
INTENSIVE BEGINNERS COURSE (A0 – A2)
– The Intensive Beginners course is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
– An intake is not required
– Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:00 hrs.
– The duration of the course is two weeks (10 work days)
– After two weeks you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
– This intensive course is not online, the lessons are at our school in The Hague, unless announced otherwise.
– Go to the course page for the starting dates, days and times and the enrolment form.
I completed a course at Direct Dutch Institute
If you recently completed a course at Direct Dutch, you can directly enrol in the subsequent course. An intake is not required (unless your teacher advised otherwise).
If you completed the Beginners A2, for instance, you can register for the Intermediate B1. You are also free to enrol in the subsequent course before your current course is finished. Click here for an overview of our courses and their prerequisites:
All course prerequisites Direct Dutch
Beginners A1 - no prerequisites
THE BEGINNERS A1 COURSE is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: no prior level of Dutch is required to take this course.
Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speak some English.
There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hours per week. After seven weeks you will have reached level A1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intensive Beginners A1 - A2 - no prerequisites
THE INTENSIVE BEGINNERS (A0 - A2) COURSE is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: no prior level of Dutch is required to take this course. Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speak some English.
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:00 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
The lessons are at our school in The Hague..
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Beginners course
Beginners A2 - Required level: A1
THE BEGINNERS A2 COURSE builds on the Beginners A1 course and is meant for students who already know some Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: A1
Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speake some English.
There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hours per week. After seven weeks you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intermediate B1 - Required level: A2
THE INTERMEDIATE B1 COURSE is meant for students who master the basics of Dutch and want to take it to the next level.
Required level of Dutch: A2
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week. After twelve weeks you will have reached level B1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, visit the course pages:
Intensive Intermediate B1 - Required level: A2
THE INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE B1 COURSE is meant for students who master the basics of Dutch and want to take it to the next level.
Required level of Dutch: A2
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:45 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level B1.
The Intensive Intermediate course is at our school in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Intermediate
Advanced B2 - Required level: B1
THE ADVANCED B2 COURSE is meant for students who are able to use Dutch (more or less) fluently in everyday life and want to master the language on a professional level.
Required level of Dutch: B1
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week. After twelve weeks you will have reached level B2 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Advanced B2
Intensive Advanced B2 - Required level: B1
THE INTENSIVE ADVANCES B2 is meant for students who are able to use Dutch (more or less) fluently in everyday life and want to master the language on a professional level.
Required level of Dutch: B1
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:45 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level B2 CEFR.
The Intensice Advanced course is at our school in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Advanced B2
Spreekvaardigheid B1+ - Required level: B1 or higher
THE SPREEKVAARDIGHEID B1+ COURSE is for anyone who reached B1 in Dutch but is still not confident enough to speak Dutch in professional settings.
Required level of Dutch: B1. This course is suitable for all advanced levels of Dutch (native speakers are welcome too).
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week.
This eight week course is at our institute in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Spreekvaardigheid B1+
Schrijfvaardigheid B1+ - Required level: B1 or higher
THE SCHRIJFVAARDIGHEID B1+ COURSE is for anyone who reached B1 in Dutch but is still not confident enough to write Dutch in professional settings.
Required level of Dutch: B1. This course is suitable for all advanced levels of Dutch (native speakers are welcome too).
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week.
This eight week course is online only!
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Schrijfvaardigheid B1+
Private lessons
Direct Dutch offers one on one sessions at all levels. We also offer private group courses.
For more information please contact our office!
Are you currently in a Direct Dutch course, and do you doubt whether or not you're able to advance to the next level? Talk to your teacher! He or she is happy to help you boost your confidence with some extra tips!
If you completed a course at Direct Dutch Institute a long time ago, an intake might be required. Please contact our office for advice.
I speak (some) Dutch, but I never took a Dutch course
When you are living in the Netherlands, you will eventually pick up some Dutch. Maybe you managed to learn some Dutch by yourself. Or maybe a friend helped you to learn the basics of the Dutch language.
Yet, if you really want to advance your Dutch skills, enrolling in a Dutch course will be your best bet.
If you already know some Dutch, you might be able to start higher than level A0. To make sure you that you register for the right course, you are required to book an appointment for a free oral test. During a 20/25 minute (online) conversation, your level of Dutch will be assessed, and you will be advised which course you can enrol in.
To get an idea of your current level in terms of the CEFR language levels, click below:
What does CEFR stand for?
Like most language schools, at Direct Dutch institute we use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of our courses.
The CEFR describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level.
Over the past years, those six reference levels have become widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual’s language proficiency. Click here for a short description of the different levels.
Click here for an overview of our courses and their prerequisites:
All course prerequisites Direct Dutch
Beginners A1 - no prerequisites
THE BEGINNERS A1 COURSE is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: no prior level of Dutch is required to take this course.
Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speak some English.
There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hours per week. After seven weeks you will have reached level A1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intensive Beginners A1 - A2 - no prerequisites
THE INTENSIVE BEGINNERS (A0 - A2) COURSE is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: no prior level of Dutch is required to take this course. Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speak some English.
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:00 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
The lessons are at our school in The Hague..
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Beginners course
Beginners A2 - Required level: A1
THE BEGINNERS A2 COURSE builds on the Beginners A1 course and is meant for students who already know some Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: A1
Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speake some English.
There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hours per week. After seven weeks you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intermediate B1 - Required level: A2
THE INTERMEDIATE B1 COURSE is meant for students who master the basics of Dutch and want to take it to the next level.
Required level of Dutch: A2
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week. After twelve weeks you will have reached level B1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, visit the course pages:
Intensive Intermediate B1 - Required level: A2
THE INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE B1 COURSE is meant for students who master the basics of Dutch and want to take it to the next level.
Required level of Dutch: A2
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:45 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level B1.
The Intensive Intermediate course is at our school in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Intermediate
Advanced B2 - Required level: B1
THE ADVANCED B2 COURSE is meant for students who are able to use Dutch (more or less) fluently in everyday life and want to master the language on a professional level.
Required level of Dutch: B1
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week. After twelve weeks you will have reached level B2 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Advanced B2
Intensive Advanced B2 - Required level: B1
THE INTENSIVE ADVANCES B2 is meant for students who are able to use Dutch (more or less) fluently in everyday life and want to master the language on a professional level.
Required level of Dutch: B1
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:45 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level B2 CEFR.
The Intensice Advanced course is at our school in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Advanced B2
Spreekvaardigheid B1+ - Required level: B1 or higher
THE SPREEKVAARDIGHEID B1+ COURSE is for anyone who reached B1 in Dutch but is still not confident enough to speak Dutch in professional settings.
Required level of Dutch: B1. This course is suitable for all advanced levels of Dutch (native speakers are welcome too).
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week.
This eight week course is at our institute in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Spreekvaardigheid B1+
Schrijfvaardigheid B1+ - Required level: B1 or higher
THE SCHRIJFVAARDIGHEID B1+ COURSE is for anyone who reached B1 in Dutch but is still not confident enough to write Dutch in professional settings.
Required level of Dutch: B1. This course is suitable for all advanced levels of Dutch (native speakers are welcome too).
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week.
This eight week course is online only!
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Schrijfvaardigheid B1+
Private lessons
Direct Dutch offers one on one sessions at all levels. We also offer private group courses.
For more information please contact our office!
I took a course at another Language Institute
If you finished a Dutch course at a different language school, you are more than welcome to obtain the next level at Direct Dutch Institute. Before you enrol in the course, you are required to book an appointment for a free oral test.
Like Direct Dutch, most language schools use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of their courses. Nevertheless, different language schools have different teaching methods. Some schools are grammar based and others focus on speaking entirely.
An appointment for a free oral test is required to make sure that you, and the course you want to enrol in, are the right match.
To get an idea of your current level in terms of the CEFR language levels, click below:
What does CEFR stand for?
Like most language schools, at Direct Dutch institute we use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of our courses.
The CEFR describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level.
Over the past years, those six reference levels have become widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual’s language proficiency. Click here for a short description of the different levels.
Click here for an overview of our courses and their prerequisites:
All course prerequisites Direct Dutch
Beginners A1 - no prerequisites
THE BEGINNERS A1 COURSE is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: no prior level of Dutch is required to take this course.
Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speak some English.
There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hours per week. After seven weeks you will have reached level A1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intensive Beginners A1 - A2 - no prerequisites
THE INTENSIVE BEGINNERS (A0 - A2) COURSE is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: no prior level of Dutch is required to take this course. Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speak some English.
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:00 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
The lessons are at our school in The Hague..
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Beginners course
Beginners A2 - Required level: A1
THE BEGINNERS A2 COURSE builds on the Beginners A1 course and is meant for students who already know some Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: A1
Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speake some English.
There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hours per week. After seven weeks you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intermediate B1 - Required level: A2
THE INTERMEDIATE B1 COURSE is meant for students who master the basics of Dutch and want to take it to the next level.
Required level of Dutch: A2
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week. After twelve weeks you will have reached level B1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, visit the course pages:
Intensive Intermediate B1 - Required level: A2
THE INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE B1 COURSE is meant for students who master the basics of Dutch and want to take it to the next level.
Required level of Dutch: A2
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:45 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level B1.
The Intensive Intermediate course is at our school in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Intermediate
Advanced B2 - Required level: B1
THE ADVANCED B2 COURSE is meant for students who are able to use Dutch (more or less) fluently in everyday life and want to master the language on a professional level.
Required level of Dutch: B1
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week. After twelve weeks you will have reached level B2 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Advanced B2
Intensive Advanced B2 - Required level: B1
THE INTENSIVE ADVANCES B2 is meant for students who are able to use Dutch (more or less) fluently in everyday life and want to master the language on a professional level.
Required level of Dutch: B1
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:45 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level B2 CEFR.
The Intensice Advanced course is at our school in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Advanced B2
Spreekvaardigheid B1+ - Required level: B1 or higher
THE SPREEKVAARDIGHEID B1+ COURSE is for anyone who reached B1 in Dutch but is still not confident enough to speak Dutch in professional settings.
Required level of Dutch: B1. This course is suitable for all advanced levels of Dutch (native speakers are welcome too).
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week.
This eight week course is at our institute in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Spreekvaardigheid B1+
Schrijfvaardigheid B1+ - Required level: B1 or higher
THE SCHRIJFVAARDIGHEID B1+ COURSE is for anyone who reached B1 in Dutch but is still not confident enough to write Dutch in professional settings.
Required level of Dutch: B1. This course is suitable for all advanced levels of Dutch (native speakers are welcome too).
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week.
This eight week course is online only!
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Schrijfvaardigheid B1+
Private lessons
Direct Dutch offers one on one sessions at all levels. We also offer private group courses.
For more information please contact our office!
Before your register for a course, you’ll probably also want to know a little bit more about our courses and our teaching method. Click below to find quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about our courses.
FAQ Direct Dutch courses
What's the Direct (Dutch) teaching method?
Direct Dutch Institute has the word ‘direct’ in its name because we teach the language directly and intensively by speaking Dutch. The teacher speaks Dutch to students from the very beginning!
Our teaching method, called 'Home in in Holland', is a method of our own design. This method is based on the understanding that the process of learning can be speeded up if speaking and listening get more priority than reading and writing.
We also believe that it is really important to incorporate cultural information in our courses.
To read more about the Direct Dutch method please go to Direct Dutch Institute and the (Direct) dutch method.
What are the course prerequisites?
Beginners A1 - no prerequisites
THE BEGINNERS A1 COURSE is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: no prior level of Dutch is required to take this course.
Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speak some English.
There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hours per week. After seven weeks you will have reached level A1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intensive Beginners A1 - A2 - no prerequisites
THE INTENSIVE BEGINNERS (A0 - A2) COURSE is meant for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge of Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: no prior level of Dutch is required to take this course. Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speak some English.
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 17:00 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
The lessons are at our school in The Hague..
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Beginners course
Beginners A2 - Required level: A1
THE BEGINNERS A2 COURSE builds on the Beginners A1 course and is meant for students who already know some Dutch.
Required level of Dutch: A1
Grammar will be explained in English, if needed. Therefore you need to speake some English.
There are 2 lessons of 1,5 hours per week. After seven weeks you will have reached level A2 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here are the links to the course pages:
Intermediate B1 - Required level: A2
THE INTERMEDIATE B1 COURSE is meant for students who master the basics of Dutch and want to take it to the next level.
Required level of Dutch: A2
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week. After twelve weeks you will have reached level B1 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, visit the course pages:
Intensive Intermediate B1 - Required level: A2
THE INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE B1 COURSE is meant for students who master the basics of Dutch and want to take it to the next level.
Required level of Dutch: A2
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:45 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level B1.
The Intensive Intermediate course is at our school in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Intermediate
Advanced B2 - Required level: B1
THE ADVANCED B2 COURSE is meant for students who are able to use Dutch (more or less) fluently in everyday life and want to master the language on a professional level.
Required level of Dutch: B1
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week. After twelve weeks you will have reached level B2 CEFR.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Advanced B2
Intensive Advanced B2 - Required level: B1
THE INTENSIVE ADVANCES B2 is meant for students who are able to use Dutch (more or less) fluently in everyday life and want to master the language on a professional level.
Required level of Dutch: B1
Lessons are on Monday to Friday from 13:30 to 16:45 hrs. After ten days you will have reached level B2 CEFR.
The Intensice Advanced course is at our school in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Intensive Advanced B2
Spreekvaardigheid B1+ - Required level: B1 or higher
THE SPREEKVAARDIGHEID B1+ COURSE is for anyone who reached B1 in Dutch but is still not confident enough to speak Dutch in professional settings.
Required level of Dutch: B1. This course is suitable for all advanced levels of Dutch (native speakers are welcome too).
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week.
This eight week course is at our institute in The Hague.
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Spreekvaardigheid B1+
Schrijfvaardigheid B1+ - Required level: B1 or higher
THE SCHRIJFVAARDIGHEID B1+ COURSE is for anyone who reached B1 in Dutch but is still not confident enough to write Dutch in professional settings.
Required level of Dutch: B1. This course is suitable for all advanced levels of Dutch (native speakers are welcome too).
There is 1 lesson of 2 hours per week.
This eight week course is online only!
For more information, starting dates and the enrolment form, here’s the link to the course page: Schrijfvaardigheid B1+
Private lessons
Direct Dutch offers one on one sessions at all levels. We also offer private group courses.
For more information please contact our office!
Does Direct Dutch hand out certificates?
Students who participated in a Direct Dutch course, and finished the test at the end of the course, will receive a Direct Dutch certificate, stating their level of Dutch.
At Direct Dutch, we use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of our courses. Read more about the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) here.
The level on a language certificate is always a general indicator of the proficiency level of the individual student. For example. Some students might be more confident expressing themselves in Dutch than other students, after taking the same course. This might have to do with language background, individual learning styles and interests.
Does Direct Dutch give grades and what are they based on?
At the end, or towards the end, of the course there will be a test (or tests) to assess your level of Dutch. Your score on this test will be part of your end grade.
The teacher will also consider your attendance, participation in class, Dutch conversation skills and your general progress during the course.
At Direct Dutch, we use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of our courses. Read more about the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) here.
What does available, waiting list or fully booked mean?
On our course pages you can see that some courses are available, some are fully booked, and for some courses there’s a waiting list. Here you can read what this means:
AVAILABLE: There’s a place available on the course. Enrol to reserve your place. You will be asked to confirm your place before the date mentioned in our follow up email.
WAITING LIST: A place might become available. Not all students have confirmed their places. If you enrol in the course you will be placed on the waiting list. We will contact you if a place becomes available.
FULLY BOOKED: Enrolment is closed. All students have confirmed their places.
How are Direct Dutch ONLINE courses organised?
Our online courses employ the same proven (direct) method of teaching Dutch as our traditional courses. Here are the key distinctions:
• A virtual classroom with a live teacher and a maximum of 6 students.
• Real time audio and video.
• Smaller groups with a maximum of 6 students (compared to 8 in our regular classes).
• An interactive setting with room to ask questions, practise your speaking skills and interact with- and listen to other students.
• Interactive tools: virtual whiteboard, screen sharing, document sharing, real time notes and more.
• Course material, sent to you by post (no charge) or you can pick up your book at Direct Dutch Institute
You can find more info about our online classes here.
What does CEFR stand for?
Like most language schools, at Direct Dutch institute we use the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) to denote the levels of our courses.
The CEFR describes what a learner is supposed to be able to do in reading, listening, speaking and writing at each level.
Over the past years, those six reference levels have become widely accepted as the European standard for grading an individual’s language proficiency. Click here for a short description of the different levels.
What safety measures did Direct Dutch take during times of COVID-19?
Right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Direct Dutch switched most courses to online.
Whenever the situation allowed for in-house courses, they were organised with 7 students instead of 8. The classroom was adjusted so students were able to keep 1.5 meter distance.
In addition, there were strict hygiene measures throughout the building to combat the spread of COVID-19. Everyone was required to wear a mask when walking around the building, when necessary.
At this moment Direct Dutch offers both in-house courses and online courses, and will continue to do so.
All the course information can also be found on the different course pages. Or you can visit our FAQ page for more questions, and more answers.