Dutch for Parents - A2+
Struggling to speak Dutch at your child's school or daycare?
Your child is flying in Dutch – or will be soon.
And while you took the courses and put in the effort, when it’s time to speak Dutch – stress. Freeze. No words. So you switch back to English.
But you don’t want to be ’that expat parent.’
Because you’re not an expat anymore. You rebuilt your life here. You have a family.
This is home.
You’re an international local now.
And you want to speak Dutch around your child – because it matters deeply.
But no course ever prepared you for the real parent-life conversations: the playground, daycare drop-off, playdates, or the 10-minuten gesprek at school.
That changes now.
Dutch for Parents is the 6-week community program where ambitious international parents practise the exact conversations they need with kids, teachers and other parents – and finally stop switching back to English.
Doors are closed at the moment, but you can start right now in the online Academy.
🚨 Bonus Playdate for early birds 🚨
Serious about joining? Don’t wait.
Sign up before May 5th to join the exclusive Dutch Playdate on Saturday, May 10 in Amsterdam (10:00–12:00, kids included—I hired an oppas).
🚨 Can’t wait to start?🚨
🌟 half a year access to the complete self-study Academy
🌟 Zomer Bonus: Dutch Power Hour – Online study sessions with me (evening sessions)!
🌟 Start right now – learn at your own pace
Imagine this…
- You drop off your child on a Friday morning and casually chat with that super nice Dutch mom about your plans for weekend.
- You ask the teacher to keep an eye on your child today, because she wasn’t feeling so well this morning – in Dutch, without hesitating or sweaty armpits.
- You no longer feel nervous before the 10-minuten gesprek with the teacher, and you’re relaxed to do it in Dutch.
- You sign up to help with the ‘sportdag’ at school, finally feeling part of your child’s Dutch school life because you are confident to participate in activities.
This is possible for you – even if you think your Dutch isn’t good enough yet.
Dutch for Parents:
A community program to help you
to speak Dutch with Confidence
From day 1, you’ll feel more comfortable speaking Dutch because we'll be taking small, manageable steps each week.
The motivation and support from me and the group will help you start speaking Dutch right away!
Over the course of 6 weeks, you will:
✔ Practice real-life school conversations so you know exactly what to say.
✔ Overcome your fear of speaking with guided exercises and highly efficient and fun group practice sessions.
✔ Get live coaching and support from a teacher who understands your challenges.
✔ Feel comfortable speaking Dutch without worrying about mistakes.
You don’t need perfect Dutch – you just need the confidence to use it.
24 september - 14 november
Final chance to join this round:
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Psssst..
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Any doubts about this program?
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If you feel that this is the place for you…
…but still have some doubts, about your language level or the live sessions.
I got you! Join our one-time only free tryout session! This online session is a chance to have all your questions answered and to give it a try. No pressure, no strings attached.
I’ll show you how Dutch for Parents works and we’ll do a practice round on speaking Dutch about your child. You’ll get help and support from me and the group — you’re not doing this alone.
Wanneer?
Maandagavond 26 mei, 19:45 – 20:45 uur (online).
Mis deze kans niet – schrijf je nu in lieverd.
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Psssst..
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Any doubts about this program?
No worries, I got you 🧡
Gratis online masterclass Prepare to speak Dutch at School (or daycare) | donderdag 15 mei 19:45 – 20:45u
Are you not yet sure if Dutch for Parents is the right place for you? This is your chance to dip your toe in the water – for free – and to set your first steps towards more ‘Dutch Confidence’ straight away!
🗸 Ontdek (discover) hoe je moeiteloos Nederlands spreekt op school of de opvang.
🗸 Ervaar (experience) mijn manier van lesgeven en krijg praktische tips die je direct kunt gebruiken.
🗸 Een perfecte voorbereiding (preparation) op Dutch for Parents – en het kost je niets!
Wanneer?
Donderdag 15 mei, 19:45 – 20:45 uur (online).
Kun je niet live komen? Geen probleem! Je kan de replay later kopen voor slechts €7,-.
Mis deze kans niet – schrijf je nu in lieverd.
What's included in these 6 weeks?
And what's the investment?
Live online speaking sessions - A2+
Woensdag of vrijdag 9:30 - 10:30 AM
(Pick your favorite time slot or join both sessions if you can for extra practice)
Every week, where we practice speaking real-life Dutch based on weekly themes related to school, parenting, and international family life.
This way you will:
- Practice speaking in a relaxed and supportive environment so that your speaking confidence grows - every week. - Experience how much Dutch you can already speak - and bring that feeling into your daily life. - You'll find yourself feeling more confident to use it in real life: at the school gate, during a parent-teacher meeting, or when chatting with other parents during drop-off at daycare.No more freezing or switching to English - real progress, every week.
The sessions are via Zoom, every Wednesday & Friday, 9:30 – 10:30 AM.No worries if you miss a session - replays are available.
Weekly Q&A day in the community app
You can ask me anything and get support on the topics you need help with.
You won't feel stuck anymore because you always have a place to go with your questions about Dutch, your conversations at school, or tricky situations with other parents. No more Googling for hours or doubting yourself - you'll get quick, clear answers that help you move forward. Every Wednesday is Q&A-day in our Telegram community app.
A supportive community of parents learning together
So that you stop feeling like the only one who's still struggling to speak Dutch, and realise you're not alone, not dumb, and definitely not too late.
Instead of feeling ashamed or like you're speaking ‘like a toddler’, you’ll feel understood, encouraged, and proud of every step you take. You’ll meet others who get it - and make progress together.
An offline playdate to meet, connect, and practise in real life
So that you can speak Dutch in a relaxed, friendly setting while your child is there, and show them (and yourself!) how much you’re already able to say.
There's a babysitter to play with the kids, so you can focus on the conversation (and enjoy your hot coffee!). No pressure, just fun, connection, and confidence. Coffee, snacks, and babysitter included.
The online Dutch for Parents Library
(6 months access)
Access to our online Dutch for Parents Academy where you find all the must-know words and phrases to be able to have a conversation with the teacher, create playdates and tell kids (or their parents) off at the speeltuin.
This academy is filled with audio and video material that will help you improve your vocabulary around very specific topics you need in your daily life.
Your investment
Normaal € 497
Nu:
€ 333 (2 termijnen betaling is een optie)
This is the part where everything changes.
Finally start speaking Dutch with Confidence.
Wat andere ouders zeggen:
Dit is voor jou als:
Je begrijpt veel Nederlands, maar je voelt dat je niet meer wegkomt met Engels spreken, nu je kind (bijna) naar een Nederlandse basisschool gaat. You understand a lot of Dutch, but you feel like you're not getting away with speaking English anymore, now that your child is (almost) going to a Nederlandse school.
Je hebt een vreselijk gevoel van falen omdat je nog steeds geen Nederlands spreekt na 2 / 5 / 8 / 10+ jaar in Nederland.
You feel like a failure for still not speaking Dutch after being here for 2 / 5 / 8 / 10+ years. (Believe me, it is still possible, also for you.)
Je bent klaar met het gevoel een buitenstaander te zijn in gesprekken op het schoolplein en je wil helpen met schoolactiviteiten zonder de angst om te spreken. You're done with feeling like the outsider in conversations on het schoolplein and you want to help with school activities without the fear of having to speak Dutch.
Je zoekt een veilige en leuke plek zoekt om die switch te maken!
If you're looking for a safe space to make the switch to Dutch... to try your Dutch in a warm and welcoming group first, then heading into real life and coming back to this group for celebrations, wins ánd 'fails'.
Je wil het niet meer alleen doen. Je wil een cheerleader en een groep van andere expat moeders en vaders in Nederlands, die je gaan uitdagen (to challenge you) en motiveren om Nederlands te gaan spreken. Pick us, pick us, pick us! 🤸🏼♀️😉
Met hulp is het zoveel leuker EN makkelijker om de stap te zetten naar meer Nederlands spreken 💜
We starten op 24 september met dit 6 weken community programma
Doors are closed at the moment, but you can start right now in the online Academy.
Can’t make it to the live part of the program?
>>> You’re going to love thissss <<<<
Maybe your weeks are full of work, children and just trying to stay afloat. Maybe you love learning independently, at your own pace.
In that case, this self-study program is for you.
You can start right away. You’ll get practical lessons, phrases you’ll actually use, and support when you need it. So you can finally feel more at ease — in Dutch.
🌟 6 months access to the complete self-study Academy
🌟 Zomer Bonus: Dutch Power Hour – Online study sessions with me (evening sessions)!
🌟 Start right now – learn at your own pace
Is my level good enough to join the speaking sessions?
You need a solid A2 level to join, higher levels are also welcome.
For me, this means:
🚀you studied the past tenses and are able to use them (with mistakes, that’s fine;))
🚀you’re able to say what you want to say, using simpler words than you would in your native language – as long as you feel safe to make some mistakes and don’t feel rushed.)
What do we do in the live speaking sessions of Dutch for Parents?
Each week, there’s one theme we focus on – for example: health, playdates, the Dutch school system, raising multilingual kids, cultural differences, and more.
At the start of each week, I introduce the theme and share a few questions around this theme. In the live speaking sessions you go into breakout rooms to practise speaking Dutch about the theme. You’re not alone – the questions help guide the conversation, and everyone in the room is in the same boat: international parents who want to speak more Dutch.
In the sessions there’s also time for feedback and Q&A round. You can ask me about anything you didn’t know how to say, or anything that felt difficult.
In total there’s 2 rounds of speaking, connection, and direct feedback, per session.
So in short: lots of speaking, lots of real connection with other parents, and immediate help with the Dutch you need.
What if I miss a live session?
No worries! You can join whenever possible. Some weeks you can join on Wednesday, some weeks on Friday – up to you!
Heb je meer vragen?
Just scroll down to check out the FAQ section.
Hoi hoi!
I’m Mariska. Mother of three: Cato (2017), Hugo (2020), and Elli (2022). Also: woman, sister, daughter, wife, friend, CEO and dancer.
I’m a Dutch teacher (NT2) since 2013. And in that time, I’ve helped hundreds of students go from silent and stuck… to speaking Dutch with confidence.
Because: learning Dutch is one thing – you can do that.
But actually speaking it? That’s a different skill.
It’s not about knowing more grammar or more words. It’s about how you feel and what you think, when it’s time to speak.
Because when your brain doesn’t understand everything, it panics. It wants safety. So it steers you right back to English within seconds.
And in the Netherlands? That’s been relatively easy. Convenient, even.
But now that you have that little human in your house, picking up Dutch faster than you can say ‘oliebollen’ – it’s starting to feel cringe that you’re saying ‘Sorry English please’.
Toch?
Helping you do this – helping you break through the hesitation and finally speak Dutch in real life – is what I do best.
And this is also where I’m different from most Dutch teachers.
You don’t want just more words. You want to speak the language confidently. Proudly. Without second-guessing every sentence.
That’s what I help you build: not only your vocabulary, but the mindset and confidence to own the Dutch you already have – and to improve from there.
I bring patience, energy, and a healthy dose of humor to get you speaking. For real.
You’re not too old. It’s not too late.
And yes – you absolutely can speak Dutch.
But don’t do it the hard way. Let me help you.
Join today and start speaking Dutch with confidence
🚀 De nieuwe groep start op 24 september – 14 november (met één week break in de herfstvakantie)
Click below to get started in the online academy straight away!
Don’t want to wait?
Start direct met de online academy and be fully prepared for the group program in september 🔥
FAQ - Veelgestelde Vragen
Leeg laten
Yes! Many parents in the program already understand a lot of Dutch but find speaking scary. Therefore, we don’t just work on the language, but also on building the confidence to speak. You will learn how to have simple conversations without being afraid of making mistakes.
You will learn how to have simple conversations with your child and his/her friends in Dutch, so that you can participate more and more in everyday life. This not only helps you, but also makes your child feel that you are involved in the Dutch side of his/her life.
That’s totally normal! That’s why we create a safe and supportive environment, where everyone is in the same boat :). This is the perfect practice situation, where we practice step by step! So, you’ll feel more and more comfortable saying more.
It depends on how much you practice. Many parents notice that they dare to speak more easily after only a few weeks, and that conversations with teachers or other parents go more smoothly.
Many language courses focus on grammar and vocabulary, but at Dutch for Parents, the focus is on practical speaking and building confidence. You’ll learn how to use Dutch in real-life situations, especially with your child and at school.
The sessions are active and hands-on. You won’t just get an explanation, but you’ll mainly practice and speak yourself. You’ll receive concrete assignments, and there’s room for questions so you become more confident.
Yes, absolutely! Many parents have a partner who doesn’t speak Dutch. The program helps you incorporate more Dutch into your life, even if you speak another language at home.
Absolutely, this program is for you if your child is not yet attending school.
Yes, we want you to be satisfied. If, after the first week, you feel that the program isn’t for you, you can contact us.
On average, it takes you 2 to 3 hours per week. This includes group sessions, short assignments, and the moments you practice in daily life. You decide how much time you invest, but the more you practice, the faster your Dutch will improve.
All practice sessions are on Wednesday and Friday mornings (9:30 – 10:30), via Zoom.
You can choose which session to join each week. All sessions have the same theme for the week. You’ll receive the recording of the practice sessions and can watch it anytime, for life.
During school holidays (in the North region), there are no live sessions. You’ll receive an extra assignment and time for integration.
In the practice sessions, we talk about a specific theme. I’ll introduce the topic, and then you’ll talk about it in break-out rooms. Think of topics like: the Dutch school system (or daycare), lunch at school, your child’s bilingualism, Sinterklaas (or another holiday), your child’s hobbies and interests, etc. I’ll give you a few questions to use in the conversation. After the break-out rooms, we’ll return to the main room, where you can continue talking with the group and ask me questions.
The group sessions are live, and they are recorded. You can watch them later if you can’t attend the live sessions.
During school holidays (in the North region), there are no live sessions. You’ll receive an extra assignment and time for integration.
Peppa Pig, play-doh, puzzles… Try it with your child on your lap! You’re not the only one who brings their kids into the sessions :). We get you! Try to attend at least once a week to practice speaking. You can watch the other sessions via the recording.
You can also opt for the self-study program, which you can find here.
No problem! The sessions are recorded, so you can watch them later. You can also always ask questions in the community and practice more.
There is no mandatory homework, but the more you practice, the faster you’ll make progress. We give you practical assignments that you can easily fit into your daily routine, such as a short conversation with the teacher or asking a simple question in the supermarket.
In the community, you can ask questions, share experiences, and practice with other parents. I love it when you actively participate, and I regularly send you audio about school-related topics.
You get immediate access to the self-study material in the online Academy. From the start date (see above), you can join the app group and be part of the weekly online sessions. After 6 weeks, your access will automatically stop.
You have 6 weeks of access to the live sessions and the app group. You can stay in the academy for half a year. You’ll also get updates whenever I add new content!
No, dads are welcome too!
Through one of the buttons on this page!
You can purchase the program now for €333.
Yes, you can pay in two installments.