FAQ

You can attend the in-class TaalBoost Dutch course at Chasséstraat 34-36 in Amsterdam as a:

• 6-week evening course at any level twice a week (30 hours);
• 6-day intensive Dutch week at beginner’s levels A1-A2 only (30 hours).

Yes, currently this is our only location for the in-class lessons.

No, we only offer Intensive courses for Level 1 (CEFR A1) and Level 2 (CEFR A2).

In order to guarantee the TaalBoost quality of teaching, the group limit is set to a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 12 participants, irrespective of whether the course is in-class or online. This number allows a good overview of the participants at the course: the teacher can follow each participant’s progress, provide sufficient individual feedback, and make various pairs or small groups of three, four or six participants during the lessons.

It is not ideal to miss a lesson, but you will be instructed what homework you need to do for the next lesson. You will also receive the handouts by email after the lesson takes place. It is sometimes possible to join the (online) lesson with a different group, when the group is not full. Contact info@taalboost.nl as soon as possible, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

You can attend the online TaalBoost Dutch course as:

• a 6-week online evening course at any level twice a week (30 hours);
• a 6-week online morning course at any level twice a week (30 hours);
• a 10-week online Saturday course at any level (30 hours);
• a 6-week online conversation course from B1 level once a week (15 hours).

Beside the fact that you are enjoying the course from the comfort of your own home, there is not much difference between the online courses by TaalBoost and the traditional course. The online TaalBoost Dutch language courses are not prerecorded, but are taking place real-time with other course participants and teachers that you can see and communicate with.

Just as is the case with our in-class courses, our primary goal is to guarantee the quality of the TaalBoost lessons in the online environment. The three cornerstones of the TaalBoost teaching approach are:

Engagement
In order to learn the language, you need to stay motivated. Passive observation of a (prerecorded) online lesson just doesn’t cut it. With the online Dutch language courses, you will hear the explanation by the teacher, be able to ask real-time questions and then perform the usual fun, informative and relevant exercises in pairs or in small groups with other course participants. There is never a dull moment as you are constantly challenged to apply what you just learned and constantly exercise your Dutch proficiency.

Interaction
The communication between the teacher and the participant, as well as with the participants among each other is happening real-time. Aside from the visual and the auditive support (you can see and hear each other), an added value of the online TaalBoost Dutch lessons is that you will also have a chat option. That way, you can work on your Dutch spelling, while making sure that your question never escapes your teacher’s attention.

Feedback
The improvement of your Dutch proficiency happens the best and the fastest way when you receive and implement the feedback from your peers, and even more importantly from your Dutch language teacher. The teacher can give feedback publicly or privately.

Next to being more eco-friendly by not having to print all the additional exercises, some other benefits to the online TaalBoost Dutch language course are:

• you can enjoy the lesson from the comfort of your own home or any other location or device, as long as you have an internet connection;
• with the chat function available, you will also work on your Dutch spelling;
• you will get additional online exercises;
• online lessons cost less for the same number of teaching hours as the in-class lessons.

Yes. We are happy to demonstrate the possibilities of online real-time teaching during the Online Demo Lesson. Follow this link in order to sign up for the next Demo Lesson.

Due to privacy reasons, it is not possible to record the lesson or rewatch it. For more information on how we handle your data, please read our privacy policy.

No. The lessons are taking place real-time with other course participants and the teacher and can be attended only at the assigned dates and times.

As long as you have a device that is connected to the internet, you will be able to sign up for the course. TaalBoost staff and teachers will guide you along the way.

In order to guarantee the TaalBoost quality of teaching, the group limit is set to a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 12 participants, irrespective of whether the course is in-class or online. This number allows a good overview of the participants at the course: the teacher can follow each participant’s progress, provide sufficient individual feedback, and make various pairs or small groups of three, four or six participants during the lessons.

It is not ideal to miss a lesson, but you will be instructed what homework you need to do for the next lesson. You will also receive the handouts by email after the lesson takes place. It is sometimes possible to join the (online) lesson with a different group, when the group is not full. Contact info@taalboost.nl as soon as possible, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Yes, TaalBoost offers private 1-on-1 lessons, and private duo lessons (to partners, friends, or colleagues who are at a similar level of Dutch and want to learn together). Private lessons are scheduled at a time previously agreed by you and your teacher. In the case of the online lessons, they can be attended from anywhere, as long as you have a computer and a fair internet connection. You can also opt for a lesson at home (in Amsterdam). If you are interested in TaalBoost private lessons, you are invited to fill out the contact form.

The pricing for the private lessons depends on the number of hours in the contract. In general, a participant will require around 30 teaching hours to reach the next proficiency level. Please fill out the contact form to request a quote.

Yes, TaalBoost provides tailor-made in-company courses. They can either be arranged online - that way, your employees can attend the course from any place, as long as they have an internet connection - or at your company’s premises. If you are interested in a TaalBoost in-company course, you are invited to fill out the contact form.

The pricing for in-company courses depends on the group size. Please fill out the contact form to request a quote.

Definitely. Head to the registration page, submit the registration form and reserve your spot at the next online or in-class TaalBoost Dutch course now.

You will shortly receive an email (from a real person). This email contains all the information you need for the course. It could be the case that we would like you to take a placement test before officially registering you, to be sure that we place you in the right level. In addition, you receive a separate email with the invoice and payment instructions.

Head to the registration page, submit the registration form and request a placement test. The placement test is free of charge, consists of a written part and a short interview in Dutch and takes about one hour to complete.

No, you can directly start at Level 1.

No, you will still need to do a placement test with TaalBoost. This way, we want to make sure that you are placed at the proficiency level that you will benefit the most from.

We encourage you to sign up for the next level at earliest convenience. There’s a limited number of places at our courses, either in-class or online, and they are filling up fast. By registering as soon as possible, you make sure that you reserve a spot at the next level.

We would like to understand your situation better and consider this further with you. Please contact info@taalboost.nl with your query.

Unfortunately, TaalBoost cannot assist in any visa-related questions, since we are not eligible to vouch for any visa or official documents. This is because we are a private institution organising short term-courses of maximally six weeks.

Yes, you can join a course if your command of the English language is limited. We strive to speak as much Dutch as possible at the course, even at the beginner courses. Our teachers alter their language use to the fact that the students at Level 1 (complete beginners) don't speak any Dutch yet. English is used to further explain, if necessary, as a support language. At Level 2, the use of English is limited, and from Level 3 on, our teachers do not use any English.

All of our group courses are offered multiple times throughout the year. We offer:
• 7 evening course cycles (at all levels) per year (every two months)
• 7 morning course cycles (at all levels) per year (every two months)
• 4 Saturday course cycles (at all levels) per year (every four months)
• 12 intensive Level 1 (A1) courses per year (every month)
• 12 intensive Level 2 (A2) courses per year (every month)

In order for a course to start, at least 5 participants need to be registered.

If you are interested in the start dates of the course cycles that are not listed on the website, please contact info@taalboost.nl.

• TaalBoost in-class courses €549,- (30 hours) excluding book.
• TaalBoost online courses €399,- (30 hours) excluding book.
• TaalBoost online conversation cours (15 hours) €249,- no book needed

No. All payments are done by bank transfer. You will receive a link you can use to make the payment via iDeal or credit card in the email with the payment information. Alternatively, you can make a direct transfer to TaalBoost.

We will provide a payment receipt on request. Please contact info@taalboost.nl

No, TaalBoost does not accept DUO loans.

You can read our cancellation policy in our terms and conditions.

Once the course has started, you are not entitled to a refund. However, in the unfortunate event that you are forced to stop the course, we will do our best to accommodate you and place you in a group of the same level in one of the coming periods. If that’s the case, please contact info@taalboost.nl at the earliest convenience. Please note that conditions apply to this possibility.

No, the textbook is not included in the course fee. You need to purchase it separately. The following textbooks are used:

LEVEL 1 [CEFR A1]
Contact! 1 - nieuw. Also available as an online course book.

LEVEL 2 [CEFR A2]
Contact! 2 - nieuw. Also available as an online course book.

LEVEL 3 and LEVEL 4 [CEFR A2+/B1]
Nederlands in actie (4th edition). Also available as an e-book.

LEVEL 5 and LEVEL 6 [CEFR B1+/B2]
Nederlands op niveau. Also available as an e-book.

LEVEL 7 and LEVEL 8 [CEFR B2+/C1]
Nederlands naar perfectie. Also available as an e-book.

No, the textbook has to be ordered from the publisher’s webshop: www.intertaal.nl for Level 1 and Level 2 and www.coutinho.nl for Level 3 to 8.

The written final exam takes place at the end (last day) of the course.

You will receive a certificate of attendance when you attended at least 70-85% of the course, depending on the course type. The certificate will state in which period you attended the course and at which level. Your results at the final test are not mentioned on the certificate.

No, the certificate is not an official document. It demonstrates that you have completed a course at a certain proficiency level, but it does not substitute any government-issued certification.

The best and easiest way to contact TaalBoost is in one of the following ways:

• through our contact page
• by directly sending an email to info@taalboost.nl
• by phone (+31 (0)20 341 80 38) Monday to Friday 12 pm to 5 pm CE(S)T

You can visit TaalBoost by appointment. Please contact us through the contact form, by phone or by sending an email to info@taalboost.nl to schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you soon!

Our school is located in Amsterdam West (de Baarsjes).

Chasséstraat 34-36
1057 JG Amsterdam
The Netherlands