Let’s face it. When learning Dutch—whether you’re a beginner or more advanced verb conjugator—we can all use a little extra motivation.

Enter Taalthuis, the Dutch language school that offers in-company classes where employees can start linguistically integrating right in their offices with similarly-minded peers.

“Learning with a group of colleagues in the same situation as yourself (pretty much struggling to get into Dutch) makes you feel more comfortable and motivated,” says Antonio Doria Damasio (31), a Portuguese national who works for ABN AMRO Bank in Amsterdam. “There’s also a healthy dose of competitiveness!”

Wanting to up his integration into Dutch society, Damasio took his first introductory course just last summer. Finding it helpful and fun, he’s now gearing up for the next level.

“After moving internally to a team that is closer to clients and the Dutch market, I really felt the need to keep learning Dutch to better understand what’s going on around me, and one day, to hopefully also interact,” he says. “It’s a difficult language, very different from more “Latin” languages, but it’s fun to learn with a group of colleagues.”

Fun and convenient

“Taking the class at the office made it more convenient and enjoyable,” says Claudia Ochoa, a sustainability manager at ReBound Returns who hails from Madrid. “It was great to learn alongside colleagues; we could support each other during and outside of class, which helped reinforce what we were learning. It also added a social and team-building element to the experience.”

“The fact that you are already at the office and just need to come down for the class makes it way easier,” adds Damasio. “Everything is already set-up for you, so it’s more difficult to come up with ‘excuses’ to skip it. That makes it easier from a discipline standpoint, at least compared to a ‘do it on your own time’ type of arrangement.”

Taalthuis has been offering language classes since 2006 at its schools in eight Dutch cities across the country; lessons are also available online. But its in-company courses, says teacher Karin Alberts, are unique in their bonding and motivational qualities.

“They’re time efficient, flexible and increase motivation among colleagues so everyone stays on track,” she says. “Many companies use the courses as part of their onboarding process, helping employees integrate into the company and Dutch society in an engaging and fun way.”

That’s one reason why engineering consultancy firm Haskoning began offering Taalthuis language courses to its employees in Delft about a year ago.

“We recognized a growing need among our international colleagues living in the Netherlands to feel more integrated into Dutch society and workplace culture,” says Sofia Aguero of the company’s HR department. “Offering Dutch language courses aligns with our strategic commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I). It’s a tangible way to foster belonging and inclusion, helping employees feel more connected both professionally and personally.”

Well-structured and entertaining

Using Taalthuis’ specially developed teaching methods as a base, teacher Alberts supplements the lessons with exercises exclusive to the field and company in which she’s teaching, whether it’s using company texts for writing assignments or talking about subjects her students want to discuss in meetings.

“I always say: ‘Whatever happens in this class, stays in this class!’” says Alberts. “So people can address work problems also—in Dutch! My job is to create a safe environment so people feel comfortable speaking Dutch and sharing.”

“Karin had a lot of patience with us, and everyone recognized it,” says Damasio. “She kept a healthy balance of pace, patience and fun, and she always took our questions very seriously.”

Damasio also applauds what he calls Taalthuis’ well-structured and entertaining teaching methods. “It keeps students engaged. And they always keep the Dutch cultural element in place, which helps with integration and adapting to the country and culture. On top of that, their online platform is quite a rich tool to support the learning journey.”

Ochoa agrees. “I really appreciated how interactive and enjoyable the classes were,” she says. “Given that they took place after work, it made a big difference that they were designed to be light, fun and collaborative. It didn’t feel like a chore; it was something I looked forward to.”

Why Taalthuis?

Aguero says Taalthuis was selected for its great service, flexibility and tailored approach to in-company training. “They offer level assessments, multiple formats (online and face-to-face) and a structured curriculum that suits our diverse employee base,” she says. “Their responsiveness and ability to adapt to our scheduling needs have been consistently appreciated.”

And the courses are effective. “The classes gave me a much better grasp of everyday Dutch, especially speaking and listening,” says Albanian Envis Begaj (37), head of compliance at Bitvavo, who took the course to better integrate into Dutch society and now practices Dutch with his kindergarten-aged son. “It helped me feel more confident in real-life situations—whether that’s chatting with colleagues, going to the doctor or handling things in the town hall or at supermarket.”

“I believe I improved considerably,” adds Damasio. “Although I cannot speak well, I understand more, and I make a conscious effort to understand what people say around me and to understand Dutch e-mails.”

“I definitely noticed an improvement in my basic Dutch skills, especially in understanding everyday vocabulary and forming simple sentences,” adds Ochoa. “And learning with colleagues creates a great atmosphere of mutual support and motivation.”

Other companies, says Begaj, should absolutely offer Taalthuis classes. “It’s a great way to support international employees in settling in and feeling more connected—both to the workplace and to Dutch culture.”

From a company perspective, says Aguero, the Taalthuis courses “strengthen team cohesion, support retention, and enhance our inclusive culture.” And given all the positive feedback from students and a growing interest from other employees, she says the company absolutely plans on continuing to offer them. “We’re already planning future sessions and exploring ways to expand access,” she says.

“While the return isn’t measured in financial terms, the emotional and cultural impact is significant,” she adds. “Employees report feeling more included, valued and empowered, which contributes to overall engagement and retention. This sense of belonging is a key return on investment…. For companies with international staff, it’s a strategic investment in culture and cohesion.”

For more info about Taalthuis in-company Dutch training, e-mail them directly at incompany@taalthuis or visit the website https://www.taalthuis.nl/in-company-training. And don’t forget to spread the word to your HR or Learning and development department!