Zelfverzekerd Nederlands · online group program · 3 months · B1+
A little less of an outsider every day
You live here. You work here. This is your life in the Netherlands.
But you’re still not fully part of it.
You know how to speak Dutch, but when someone asks you what exactly you do at work, you don't know what to say.
So you stumble. Or you let someone else answer.
And just like that, you feel kicked out of the conversation again.
That changes now.
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3500+ teaching hours
450+ students
5+ years Lingo Amsterdam
Do you recognize this?
You know the word, but remember too late
You have the sentence in your head, but the conversation has already moved on.
People switch to English the moment you try, making you feel your Dutch isn't good enough.
You overthink everything before you speak, and therefore say nothing.
You laugh and nod… but don’t really join in the conversation. It actually makes you feel left out.
You avoid difficult conversations and phone calls because they stress you out.
In Dutch, you feel less smart, less funny, less yourself.
You’ve tried the apps.
You’ve taken the courses.
And still… when it matters, you don’t speak.
That's not because your Dutch is bad.
It's because you don’t feel safe enough to use it.
That is exactly what Zelfverzekerd Nederlands in 3 maanden focusses on.
The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.
Ludwig Wittgenstein
Dutch is not just a language. It's your place in the world
Learning Dutch is not about mastering grammar, and getting frustrated about the strange verbs and where you place them in sentence. It's an opportunity to broaden your worldview and give it more color and depth.
If you cannot express yourself in the language of the country where you live, you are missing something essential in your connection with the culture and the people around you.
Allow yourself that new perspective on the world, on your thoughts, and on your life in the Netherlands.
If you're already at B1 level or higher, but miss the confidence to use what you've learned, if you feel you don't know the right words to express yourself, it's time to start working on feeling confident to speak. Once you add confidence to your skills set, you can make Dutch your own.
If nothing changes...
Let's be honest. In 6 months, you'll probably still:
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switch to English without thinking
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hesitate every time you want to say something
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stick to the surface of conversations
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feel like you almost belong, but not quite
Most people stay here for years. Not because they can’t learn Dutch,
but because they never create the right conditions to actually use it.
A foreign language is like a frail, delicate muscle.
If you do not use it, it weakens.
Jumpa Lahiri
after 3 months
Imagine this
‘More self-confidence’ sounds very abstract, so what will this program change for your daily life?
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You feel more at home: you made Dutch your own. With your humor, your personality, your voice.
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You persevere when things get awkward: you search for words, find them, and keep going. You no longer let the fear of making mistakes hold you back.
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You participate in conversations at work: you respond in meetings, ask for clarification, and say what you really mean.
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You join in the real conversation, and it lands: you can have a conversation with your Dutch friends or neighbors, and they can laugh along with your jokes. Not politely, but genuinely.
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You arrange things autonomously: at the municipality, insurance, or school. You walk up to people, pick up the phone or send an email, without practicing it three times first.
You might not speak perfectly, but you will be part of the conversation.
Zelfverzekerd Nederlands in 3 maanden (B1+)
In this 3-month program, you won’t learn Dutch to speak perfectly.
You will train to use Dutch to participate confidently.
To speak.
To react.
To be part of what’s happening at work, with friends, in daily life.
You practice in real-life situations, in a small and safe group.
So you stop waiting.
And start speaking.
Joos is very engaged and patient when it comes to teaching the classes. She mixes up the teaching methods to keep it engaging and fun to participate.The classes have given me the confidence to finally speak some Dutch in my day-to-day.
Paul
Hallo allemaal,
To anyone that finds themselves whether they should go with Joos or another teacher - I implore you to stop now and choose Joos.
Joos truly enjoys teaching and has made my journey of learning Dutch a wonderful experience.
I could not imagine learning anyother way. Classes are interactive and fun yet challenging - but never difficult. Additionally she is ALWAYS prepared and on time. I look foward to our lessons!
Regards, Gerson
Gerson Prosper
Joos is truly an amazing teacher! I have struggled for a long time to learn the Dutch language but Joos has the remarkable gift of making each class engaging, interactive and fun! She works with your needs on how you can best learn, for me it's music. And helps you understand not only the fundamentals of the language but also how the language is used colloquially. Book her now, you will be very happy you did! Je krijgt er geen spijt van!!!
Ruben Salcedo
Is this program for you?
Zelfverzekerd Nederlands in 3 maanden (B1+)
This is not a passive course.
This program is for people who are ready to show up and practice.
This is for you, if you...
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live in the Netherlands and want to stay
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understand Dutch, but still find speaking difficult
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are tired of feeling like an outsider and want to be a local
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are willing to step out of your comfort zone, even if it feels uncomfortable
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are done waiting to feel 'ready'
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are done with excuses and really want to take steps now
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want to be yourself in Dutch: humor, opinions and all
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understand that learning a language can be awkward, and are okay with that
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want real conversations, not textbook sentences
What you'll actually learn:
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How to keep a conversation going when you run out of words
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How to handle professional situations: meetings, feedback, small talk at work
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How to deal with Dutch bureaucracy such as gemeente, huisarts, verzekeringen
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How to talk about emotions, set boundaries, and have difficult conversations
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Natural sentences and vocabulary you can use immediately, per theme
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How to stop translating in your head and start reacting instinctively
Time investment
Count on 1 hour live per week (alternating 1:1 and Taalcafé) + 1-2 hours for self-study. That's watching series, listening to podcasts, and short assignments so not school-like homework, but building habits that stick.
Total: about 2-3 hours per week.
This is NOT for you if you...
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are a beginner (A0–A2)
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don’t really need to speak Dutch
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don’t have time to practice weekly
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wait for the 'perfect moment' to start
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prefer to watch rather than participate
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think you will learn on your own without practicing
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expect results without making an effort
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prefer staying in your expat bubble
This program works.
But only if you actually do the work.
Are you at the right level for this program?
The program is designed for people who are approximately at a B1 level. Perhaps you have already completed a number of B1 courses (B1.1, B1.2, B1.3 and B1.4, depending on your language school).
Or you recognize yourself in these statements:
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You can say what happened yesterday or what you did
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You can explain why you want or don't want something
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You can make appointments and ask for information
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You can follow a conversation and understand most things
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You can talk about your work, your weekend, your plans
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You can write a text message or a simple email in Dutch
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You understand what is being said on Dutch TV or radio
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You are familiar with the hoofdzin (main clause), bijzin (subordinate clause), and the influence of various conjunctions on word order
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You know how to conjugate verbs in different tenses (present, perfectum, imperfectum)
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You know how to use reflexive verbs (such as zich voelen)
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You know how to use separable verbs (such as opladen)
Do you recognize most of these things? Then this is the level for you.
Important thing to mention: you don't have to be able to do the above perfectly ;-)
Unsure about your skills?
Schedule a free introductory meeting, and we'll check it together in 15 minutes.
Joos is a super nice teacher! Responsible and efficient, always comes up with nice content for the class and when I realise what time it is, our 1,5hr class is over, the time flies :) I 100% recommend Joos to the people who want or need to learn Dutch.
Rafael Cruz Fagundes
Joos is a wonderful teacher who is able to understand where I need help and adapt her lessons accordingly. I’d recommend her to any expat trying to learn Dutch.
Bill Chatfield
Joos is a great tutor! She knows how to keep the audience engaged, and gives great examples which makes it easier for us to learn Dutch! She is also open to all types of questions and she tries to answer your questions in a way that ensures understanding. Glad to learn from her!
Fevzi
how it works
3 months, 3 pillars, many breakthroughs
This isn’t just a couple of lessons. It’s a system that forces you to practice in real life.
1️⃣ 6x personal 1:1 sessions
60 minutes for your personal blockages and situations
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We work on your personal real-life situations: work, neighbors, doctor, partner
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We tackle your blockages: shame, perfectionism, fear of speaking
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Pronunciation, sentence structure, and vocabulary that is relevant for you
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Together, we set your personal goal for the 3 months
2️⃣ 6x Taalcafé
60 minutes of practice in a small, safe group of max. 6 people
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Real conversations with people like you, with their own struggles
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We use role-playing, spontaneous responses, and vocabulary expansion
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You will notice: you are not alone, which can greatly help you
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In each session, we cover a specific topic linked to a theme from the e-learnings
Small enough to speak. Safe enough to try.
3️⃣ E-learning environment
6 modules for self-paced study
Six super valuable e-learning modules full of speaking and learning tips, focussed on automating learning habits and growing your self-confidence when speaking.
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Short and practical modules per theme, no school-like overload
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Short videos and explanations
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Grammar you can use immediately when speaking
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Cheat sheets with vocabulary lists and natural sentences to automate
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A workbook with exercises to boost your confidence and strengthen your Dutch skills
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Listening and viewing tips with practical exercises
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Real-life challenges
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Access to the community of other learners like you
maand 1
Aarden
'Ik durf te praten in alledaagse situaties.'
Module 1: Dagelijks leven
Module 2: Vriendschap & vrije tijd
maand 2
Werk & wereld
'Ik red me op mijn werk en met officiële dingen.'
Module 3: Werk & samenwerken
Module 4: Bureaucratie & praktische zaken
maand 3
Relaties & identiteit
'Ik kan mezelf zijn in gesprekken die ertoe doen.'
Module 5: Emoties & grenzen
Module 6: Identiteit & thuisgevoel
about me
Hoi! Ik ben Joos.
Language lover, teacher and poet
I studied General Linguistics at the University of Amsterdam and completed my Master's in Leiden. I graduated cum laude in Language, Culture and Cognition, specializing in second language acquisition and the didactics of Dutch.
In addition to being a teacher, I am a poet and performer. So I know very well how important it is to know the right words.
And I also know exactly what it feels like in your body and mind when you are in the spotlight and can't remember your lines.
I find teaching fantastic. I try to challenge myself and my students by always looking for new and creative ways to practice a specific skill. Also, my joy in sharing music, poetry and performance result in classes that are never dull - ask my students.
Language shapes who you are and how you see the world. Learning another language is an opportunity to broaden your worldview and give it more color and depth.
Currently I'm learning Italian and I really enjoy discovering the words and world through other eyes. How I approach my learning process also influences my teaching and makes me realize communication is more important than perfection.
You won't learn Dutch by trying to speak it perfectly. You learn by using the language.
Maria Salomé
Abderazzak
Marion
Kylie
investment
Ready to see the change?
Every month you wait is a month longer feeling like that outsider. The next group starts in the week of June 22 - there is a maximum of 6 spots.
The first Taalcafé takes place on Tuesday, June 30 at 19:00h and is planned every other week at the same time. The program concludes with the final Taalcafé on September 8.
Zelfverzekerd Nederlands in 3 maanden
voor B1+
€750
possible to pay in 3 installments of 259 | or 6 installments of 136
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6x 1-on-1 private lessons of 60 minutes
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6x Taalcafé sessions of 60 minutes in a small group
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Access to the online learning environment throughout the program
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Access to the community of learners
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Feedback on assignments
Week of June 22 - only 6 spots
My promise to you
Have you attended all sessions and completed the assignments, and do you feel no difference at the end of the program? Then you will get your money back, within 14 days after the last Taalafé. No hassle. I fully stand behind this program, and I want you to do the same.
Still unsure?
Book a free 15-minute intake.
We’ll check your level and see if this is a fit.
No pressure.