Basic Dutch for Au Pairs

Course Objective
This course has been specifically developed to enable your au pair to quickly learn essential Dutch phrases in order to integrate into your community. The focal point of the course is communication with children. The lessons are provided in a group setting with a maximum of 12 participants.

We recommend that German au pairs start their learning of Dutch at Stepping Stone II or Stepping Stone III level of the 'Expat Language Courses'. For more information please see the 'Intermediate Courses' section.

Course Material
Kickstart’s course material is specifically tailored to the needs of au pairs. We have used the actual experiences of au pairs and their host families in order to develop and test this programme. For instance, the vocabulary and topics discussed are directly relevant to the daily lives of au pairs. Some knowledge of English is required to take this course.

Course Contents
The following topics are covered:

• Traffic safety (instructions for taking the children to school and picking them up)
• General care (instructions for 'dinner time', getting dressed, etc.)
• Playtime (possible activities)
• Emergencies (including questions about aches, pains and injuries)
• Greeting the children and asking them about their day (picking up from school)
• Reading to the children
• Describing the environment (animals, shops, etc.)

The homework for this course takes up 1.5 to 2 hours per lesson.

Course Details
The course consists of 24 hours of tuition. Lessons take place either twice weekly: on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 20:00 - 22:00 hours (12 lessons), or weekly: on Wednesday mornings from 8:45 - 11:45 hours (8 lessons). The course fee is € 290.

Group size: 4 to12 students.

Intermediate Dutch Courses for Au Pairs

Au pairs who have completed the Basic Course and wish to continue learning Dutch may progress to the Stepping Stone I, II and III Language Courses.

We recommend that German au pairs start their learning of Dutch at Stepping Stone II or Stepping Stone III level. They will receive the discount which is available to post-secondary students.

For best results, it is necessary for potential students to put in a certain amount of self-study by way of preparation for these courses. Please contact the school for advice or to make an appointment for an assessment.