Frequently Asked Questions

• What types of Dutch schools are there abroad?

  There are Dutch schools all over the world. Around 230 Dutch schools in 82 countries are affiliated with NOB, providing Dutch education for over 13.500 pupils. Some of these schools offer the full Dutch curriculum, but most are Dutch Language and Culture schools.These schools offer children the opportunity to follow weekly up to three hours of Dutch language and culture lessons while they attend local or international schools.

  Schools may be offering one or more of the following:

  • Full-time Dutch primary education programmes.
  • Dutch primary Language and Culture programmes.
  • Full-time Dutch secondary education programmes.
  • Dutch secondary Language and Culture programmes.

  Another possibility is distance learning. There are four Dutch Distance Education Centres: De Wereldschool, Edufax, INIO and, especially for IB Dutch, Stichting IBID.

• Why does the Dutch government think it is important for Dutch children living abroad to continue their Dutch studies?

  Thousands of Dutch children spend part of their childhood abroad. When they return to the Netherlands, they (re-)enter the Dutch education system at anywhere from primary school to university level. It is important that the transition between Dutch and foreign education systems is as smooth as possible. For the transition to be successful, it is essential that a child’s knowledge of the Dutch language and culture is equivalent to those of its peers.

  At an emotional level, it is also important for Dutch children to learn to speak their mother tongue. Sufficient knowledge of one’s native language and culture will strengthen one’s sense of identity. Moreover, a move abroad and having to learn a foreign language is a huge change for a child, and meeting and playing with Dutch speaking children during Dutch lessons can make the transition easier. Also, sufficient knowledge of Dutch will help a child returning to the Netherlands to feel more at “home” upon return.

• We are planning to move to the Netherlands. Can my child attend lessons at one of the Dutch schools abroad to learn Dutch?

  There is no clear cut answer to this question as each school maintains its own criteria when it comes to accepting pupils. Many schools require children to have a certain knowledge of the Dutch language before they may attend classes. These schools would therefore not accept a child with no prior knowledge of Dutch. Also, schools only receive grants for children who possess a passport of an EU member state. Therefore, if you are from a country outside the European Union, schools may be less inclined to accept your child, or they may ask you to pay a larger tuition fee.
   
  However, the Dutch school in your vicinity may be more than willing to welcome your child. We therefore advise you to contact the Dutch school in your vicinity. You can find all Dutch schools in our Scholenzoeker (school directory); this directory is in Dutch, but if you select your country on the map you will get a listing of schools in that country and their contact information.
  
  

• Where can I find information about the Dutch education system?

  NOB is the Foundation for Dutch Education worldwide and does not offer general information about the Dutch education system in the Netherlands. The Eurydice Network provides information on and analyses of European education systems and policies of 33 European countries, including the Netherlands: www.eurydice.org.
  
  Another useful site is the Expat Guide Holland website. The site specialises in living in the southeast of the Netherlands but the information about education applies to the entire country: www.expatguideholland.com.

  For information about the Dutch tertiary educational system visit the NUFFIC website (Netherlands University Foundation for  International Cooperation) at www.nuffic.nl.

• What options are there for English language based education in the Netherlands?

  When it comes to English language based education in the Netherlands, there are several options.

  • English speaking international schools in the Netherlands: these schools are usually based on American and/or British curricula and are open to children of all different nationalities and backgrounds. 
  • International Education in the Netherlands (the so-called Dutch International Schools, or DIS) is primary and secondary education in English within the Dutch educational programme and is intended for specific ‘international’ target groups, i.e. children who have spent, or are planning to spend, several years outside of the Netherlands. As far as secondary education is concerned, DIS provide the opportunity for students to attain internationally recognised qualifications.
  • CLIL stands for Content and Language Integrated Learning. In the Netherlands CLIL is known as tweetalig onderwijs (tto). In CLIL, teachers and learners of content subjects, such as geography, history, art and design, use a foreign or second language as the medium of communication and instruction. It is therefore a local bilingual curriculum where Dutch and English are used (there is one school in Venlo where subjects are taught in either Dutch or German).

  Visit www.sio.nl/listofschools.html for a list of both independent international schools and schools with an international department in the Netherlands.

• How can NOB help (international) schools that are considering offering Dutch language and culture classes?

  We can help you in several ways, by:

  • Offering information and advice about Dutch education abroad.
  • Assisting you in setting up a Dutch school or department.
  • Providing subsidies for eligible students (paid for by the Dutch Ministry of Education).
  • Assisting you in finding a qualified Dutch teacher.

  For more information read Affiliate with NOB and Posting jobs . If you have any questions or are interested in setting up a Dutch language section in your school, please do not hesitate to contact us. View our contact page for details.