FGA: answers!

FGA = Frequently Given Answers

Instead of a Frequently Asked Questions page, this is a page with Frequently Given Answers (FGA). Use Ctrl-F or use the Search routine above. Here, you should be able to find anything about Dutch you always wanted to know, but were afraid to ask.

1. Answer to: How does it work, how does it start?

With anybody registering, calling or sending an e-mail, we try to arrange a first meeting in (or near) our classroom. Of course this is not a must, some people know exactly what they need. But a first meeting is the best way to assert what somebody wants, and to assert his or her level of Dutch. And you’ll get to know the classroom, the teacher, the books and training web site – and the way of teaching.

2. Answer to: But is this something for me?

Waterval! courses are open to anyone of any continent, culture, or (linguistic) background. Your level of Dutch or the speed with which you acquire a language is of course of great importance, but there’s a course for everyone. And your teacher(s) will always tune into your needs, your speed.
Whether you are an expat, a student, or an immigrant: if you live in or around Maastricht and want to learn Dutch in a nice and fun way, you are more than welcome to join us!

3. Answer to: Can I get a glimpse of real life courses?

Yes, you can! Everybody’s welcome to sit in, if you make a call (06-41029302) or send an e-mail (info@waterval.info) beforehand. Except for that, every round of new courses will be preceeded by a free course, where we will show an example of a session, explain how things work and give some other information. So you’re more than welcome if you want to know if our courses are something for you: well, come!

4. Answer to: How long does a lesson last and how does it work?
Group courses generally have ten classes of two hours . Two hours without a break, unless you “create” one yourself and get some coffee. Individual courses last one hour at a time, or maximum one and a half. In both cases, the attention span (concentration) sets its limits.
A Dutch class at the lowest level will start with an everyday “How does it go?” conversation and homework checking, and ask you what you want to learn next. Then turn to the book. At pre-intermediate and intermediate levels, we will have longer conversations and more checking of your writing assignments – before turning to the book in the latter half of class.

5. Answer to: what does a Dutch lesson look like?

Suppose we’d have two hours to spend, they would look like this:

Introduction
· overview of today’s subjects;
· short talk about homework;
· a look at last week’s important themes.
15 minutes
Conversation
Depending on the situation, in conversation we either tackle themes that are urgent for the students, we talk about what happened since last lesson, or just move on to talk about the next theme in the book. The aim is to have the students talk as much as possible. Mostly, it’s just a game of question and answer, as interactive as can be. Important “mistakes” will immediately be “fed back” to the student. But let’s not focus on the negative, “beautiful sentences” produced will get due attention (applause!) too.
45 minutes
Book
Waterval always gives you an introductory story (dialogue included) that treats a new theme and brings us new vocabulary and new topics to speak about. Each section contains ready made speech bits, some everyday Dutch that’s easy to use.
Next we always treat a language rule, which is internalized by practical exercises of all kind. There’s a lot more in each section, but always enough to enlarge your vocabulary. But all this (texts, exercises and what more) should also be an occasion to talk and listen, an occasion for practical learning.
45 minutes

The end
· feedback: we repeat today’s most important points;
· homework for this week – exercises from the books (solutions in the back of the books allow for self control), creative writing, vocabulary games and a practical assignment.

15 minutes
6. Answer to: Do you have individual courses/private lessons?


Yes we do. Whether via e-mail, via the registration form, or by phone, ask for tailor-made possibilities. Please indicate whether you’re a student or unemployed (on the one hand), or have a job on the other, as it will influence the course fee: in the first case you pay 35€/hour, in the second 40€/hour.

7. Answer to: Are there other tailor-made possibilities?

Yes there are. In case you are three friends or colleagues who really need/want to learn Dutch, please get in touch with us and we’ll discuss the possibilities. When a company has a number of foreign employees that need better Dutch, we’ll find a solution. And, as stated above, private classes are possible too.

8. Answer to: At which levels are the courses?

Both group courses and individual courses can be at any level you can think of, starting with 0 (zero, from scratch) up until C2 (near-native).  Have a look at our courses to see if your level is there.

On the other hand, individual, tailor-made or collective higher level Dutch is always a possibility – maybe you have the golden idea to get some people together?

9. Answer to: How do I assess my level?

* Do you think you are at A1 level in Dutch? Test it here (Dutch A1 test)!
* Do you think you are at A2 level in Dutch? Test it here (Dutch A2 test)!
* Do you think you are at B1 level in Dutch? Test it here (Dutch A2 test)!
* In case you wonder whether you are at B2 level or not: send an e-mail or use our contact form to make an appointment for a free assessment.

10. Answer to: Where do the courses take place?

The group courses are near the centre of Maastricht, in the new Waterval teaching room. Individual and tailor-made courses too, but if you want to have them elsewhere, that’s also a possibility.
Our teaching rooms are on the base floor at Itersondomein 26A. You can park your car for free in our garden.

Waterval!
Itersondomein 26A
6229 ED MAASTRICHT
Maps with the road to the classroom


11. Answer to: WHEN do the courses take place?

* The evening courses generally take place from 6 to 8pm, on working days.
* Morning classes/Daytime course from 10am until noon.
* Individual and tailor-made courses are mainly during daytime, preferably from 12am to 6pm.
No rules without exceptions of course, so morning or evening private lessons are a possibility. But expect to pay a little more…

12. Answer to: How can I ask other questions?
* via the website contact form
* via e-mail: info@waterval.info
* or phone: +31(0)6-4102-9302 (preferably from 12.00am to 6pm)
13. Answer to: How can I register?

Use the registration form!

14. Answer to: How do I pay my course?

After registering you’ll receive a confirmation-and-welcome mail, and an invoice with detailed instructions as to how you can pay. Please be so kind as
– to mention the invoice number (2017-…): otherwise we may not know who paid!
– to pay within two weeks after receiving the invoice, but before your course starts;
– to pay in cash at the start of your first lesson, if for whatever reason a transfer was impossible.

15. Answer to: What are the prices?

* Group course  €199 for 20 hours of teaching.
When the number of registrations is below 3, the amounts may change.

* Private courses (individual):
– Normal fee: €40 for one hour of teaching.
– Student fee: €35 for one hour of teaching.

* Books: Waterval 1/2/3/4, 25€ a piece.

16. Answer to: Where’s the VAT on the invoice?

No VAT on our invoices, because we’re a language school. In the Netherlands, such a school doesn’t have to pay VAT. This also allows us to keep our prices low.

17. Answer to: Where and how can I find you?

In principle, everything you need to know about our courses is on this page. So please have a look above if there’s something you need to know. But in case you prefer to hear a voice, or to write and read an e-mail, or if there’s some piece of information you found missing, e.g. a real weird answer we didn’t think about, don’t hesitate! Please get in touch with us
* via the website contact form
* via e-mail: info@waterval.info
* or phone: +31(0)6-4102-9302 (preferably from 12.00am to 6pm)
We’ll see what’s possible!
* at Itersondomein 26a, 6229GN Maastricht. Near the hospital and the Randwijk train station, and even nearer to the MECC congress center.

Itersondomein26a

Learn Dutch in Maastricht