Learn Dutch in Winter!

DUE TO COVID-19 WE WILL RUN THE 2021 EDITION AS AN E-WINTERSCHOOL

FAQ: when will we be back with offline Summer/Winter Schools?

We don’t know. We decided to wait and see how the situation develops. We will only take a decision to organise live events when the end of the pandemic is near. We do not exclude a late offline Winter School or an earlier Summer School.

The idea of a Summer/Winter School is that people come together from all over the world. Our Summer/Winter Schools require a lot of preparation, we work with third parties for accommodation, and we plan our teachers. We face a world with a lot of uncertainty now, possible new regulations, rising number of infections, travel restrictions. The risk of organising something that might be cancelled is significant both in time investment and financially.

At the same time, we have more students than ever in our online virtual classroom program, that we will run continuously (not only in Summer and Winter). This requires all of our time at the moment.

We will inform you as soon as there is news. To be informed, please subscribe to the newsletter.

Learn Dutch the most efficient way!

A GREAT SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE
Live, learn and speak Dutch together
BLENDED LEARNING
e-learning package (prepare/review)
QUALIFIED TEACHERS
Experienced and enthusiastic teachers
DUTCH SPEAKING ENVIRONMENT
Study in the country where the language is spoken

INTENSIVE GROUP COURSES
20-25 academic hours per week
Housing
Full package includes housing: all students live in the same residence
Ideal weather to study
or to go ice skating (if you’re lucky)
ATTRACTIVE RATES

Just like the summer school!

In 2014 we started the BLC Dutch Summer School. Based on the following principles:

– intensive language courses (with 100% focus) are more efficient than studying 1-2 times/week
– learn the language in the country where it is spoken
– living together = doing homework together, practicing the language with eachother, exploring the country together
– in a good social atmosphere you’re not afraid to make mistakes in class
– group courses on many levels that are 100% guaranteed (so you can make travel arrangements), no cancellations when not enough people apply (a condition normally used by other language schools)
– additional e-learning materials for a maximal result

We’re not the only one who believes in this formula: the Summer School attracts more than 300 students; while the previous editions of the Winter School had approximately 175 participants.

The only difference between the Summer School and the Winter School: the weather. So we’ll stay inside to study. And for the free time: we’ll come up with some extra social activities.

Program & Prices – 2020

Choose:
– Amsterdam or Drenthe
– 1 or 2 sessions
– level 1, 2, 3, 4 or R (read: level descriptions)
– with or without accommodation

* temporary discount = once a certain part of places is booked, the discount will end
** studio for double use = you can take someone with you (a non-studying partner, friend, relative)

The prices include: coffee/tea/water during lessons, access to online package #dutchgrammar-1, #dutchgrammar 2 and #dutchgrammar-3 (from 15th of December till 15th of February), 1 academic hour = 45 minutes. Book not included (€ 39).

In residence: free wifi, included: end cleaning + 1 set of linen.
In Amsterdam – when booking accommodation, free use of bike included.
In Drenthe: bikes available to rent (€ 50 euro for 1 session of 10 days).

* costs of group activities are not included in the package fee / real costs (food/drinks/entrance tickets/transport etc.) will be shared amongst participants; some activities require a minimal number of participants to organise

More information on the timetable: click here

Live + study together in our student residence!

• standard package: single room with own bathroom
• optional: double room (if you travel with another student or a non-studying partner)
• shared kitchen
• free wifi
• free use of bike, gym, library, gaming room
• paid options: laundry services, meal plan
• location: 20 minutes by public transport from Amsterdam Airport
• distance to school: 7-10 minutes by bike to the school -> watch the map

• standard package: bed in a shared room
• optional: single room (shared bathroom, shared kitchen)
• optional: studio (own bathroom, own kitchen)
• optional: accommodation for non-studying partners/relatives/friends
• free wifi
• paid: bike rental, laundry service
• location: 2 hours by train (1 stopover) from Amsterdam Airport, car-transfer (€5) from Beilen railway station to ‘het Timmerholt’ resort -> watch the map
• distance to the school: same location

Amsterdam or Drenthe?

Choose Amsterdam if:
– you want full 2 weeks of study per session (and be free in the weekend)
– you want to enjoy Amsterdam in Winter
– you prefer a city environment above a nature environment
– you prefer accommodation with more privacy (own bathroom) OR you live closeby and you prefer to commute from home instead of booking accommodation
– you want a central location in the Netherlands to visit nearby cities like Utrecht, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam, Haarlem
– you’re not looking for social activities next to class*

Choose Drenthe if:
– you can take off only 1 week from work, but still enjoy a 10-day program (arrival Friday evening, departure Sunday evening or Monday morning)
– you want to spend less on accommodation (cheaper than Amsterdam)
– you want to focus on studying in a quiet environment and be away from the daily hassle at home
– you prefer a nature environment above a city environment
– you want the full study & live together experience (95% of the students books accommodation)
– you’re looking for a program with a nice social atmosphere* outside the lessons and (optional) social activities in the evening

* The educational programs (books, lessons, materials) are the same on both locations. The main difference between our programs in Amsterdam and Drenthe is the social environment. Almost everybody in Drenthe books accommodation, whereas in Amsterdam less than half of the students does. You’ll definitely find like-minded students in Amsterdam with whom you can enjoy the city together, but if you’re looking for the total group experience, social activities next to class and ‘gezellige’ winter evenings, then Drenthe is a better choice.

E-learning

Students of the Dutch Winter School, have access to our e-learning package during the course:

The e-learning package contains the courses:
– #dutchgrammar (level 0/A1)
– #dutchgrammar-2 (level A1/A2)
– #dutchgrammar-3 (level A2/B1)

Studying with the e-learning package is part of the homework. This way, students are well prepared in class. That allows our classes to be more efficient and interactive.