Language courses in The Hague for au pairs

Why language courses are useful for au pairs

Many au pairs in The Hague can manage daily life in English, but learning some Dutch still helps. It makes school runs, playground chats, shops, transport and children’s routines easier. It also helps you understand Dutch culture from the inside, not only as a visitor.

For host families, supporting language learning can be a kind part of cultural exchange. It does not have to be complicated: help your au pair find a realistic course, practise simple words at home and make sure expectations around time and costs are clear.

Dutch classes and course options

If you want a structured course, start by comparing level, location, timing, price and whether the course focuses on speaking or grammar. Au pairs often need practical everyday Dutch more than academic language.

• Taalhuis Bibliotheek: a good first stop if you are not sure where to begin. They can advise on books, exercises and language courses.
• Taalhuis Den Haag: helps people improve reading, writing and speaking Dutch, with support through the Central Library and local library points.
• Kickstart School — Basic Dutch for Au Pairs Course: offers a Dutch course specifically designed for au pairs. The course focuses on practical language for daily life with children, such as greetings, mealtimes, getting dressed, playtime, reading, traffic safety and emergencies.
• Volksuniversiteit Den Haag: offers structured Dutch as a foreign language courses, including beginner and higher levels.
• Dutch Language Café: combines Dutch practice with meeting people, activities and social events in The Hague.
• Taal in de Buurt: a municipal language programme with conversation lessons and NT2 lessons. Check whether you are eligible and what is available.

Tip: before signing up, check if the course level matches your current Dutch, whether the timing works with your au pair schedule and whether lessons continue during school holidays.

A Dutch course made especially for au pairs

One very relevant option in The Hague is the Basic Dutch for Au Pairs Course at Kickstart School. This course is specifically designed for au pairs, so the language topics are close to real daily life with children: greeting the children, asking about their day, mealtimes, getting dressed, playtime, reading, talking about animals and shops, traffic safety and simple emergency situations.

This can be much more useful than a very general beginner course if your main goal is to communicate better with the children and understand everyday family routines. It also gives au pairs a structured way to learn Dutch while connecting the language to their actual role in the home.

Good to know: Kickstart advises that German-speaking au pairs may not always need to start at the very beginning. Because German and Dutch are closely related, German au pairs may be able to start at a higher level after some self-study. Kickstart specifically suggests that German au pairs may be ready for Stepping Stone II after completing some self-study materials, but recommends asking them for advice first.

Taalhuis and Bibliotheek Den Haag

Taalhuis Bibliotheek is a useful first stop if you are unsure where to begin. They can give advice about books, exercises and language courses. You can visit the Central Library or ask at a local library point.

The Hague also has Taal in de Bibliotheek, with weekly Dutch practice sessions in the Central Library and neighbourhood libraries. This can be a good low-pressure option if you want to practise with other learners.

For a broader view of library locations and activities, check Bibliotheek Den Haag. Libraries can be useful not only for courses, but also for children’s books, picture books and easy Dutch reading practice.

Dutch Language Café and social practice

If a normal classroom feels too formal, try Dutch Language Café. It focuses on learning Dutch while meeting people and doing social activities. The Hague International Centre describes it as a community where people practise Dutch through activities such as board games, cooking, music, museum visits and more.

This kind of option can be especially nice for au pairs because it combines two needs: language practice and social life. It may feel easier to go to a social practice event than to sit in a formal classroom after a long childcare day.

English practice options

Some au pairs also want to improve English while living in an international city. The Hague is a good place for this because many people speak English at work, in cafés, at international events and in expat communities.

For English practice, try low-pressure situations: meet another au pair for coffee, join an international activity, read an English book from the library or watch short videos with subtitles. If you want formal lessons, ask the library, a local language school or your host family for suggestions.

Tip: choose one main language goal at a time. If you try to improve Dutch and English at full speed at the same time, it can feel overwhelming.

Budget-friendly ways to practise Dutch

You can practise Dutch without always paying for a course. Small, repeated moments often work better than one big study plan.

• •Learn five child-related Dutch words each week.
• •Use Dutch words during simple routines: shoes, coat, snack, tidy up, outside.
• •Read one Dutch picture book with the children and ask the host family how to pronounce new words.
• •Practise ordering coffee, buying bread or asking for directions.
• •Watch Dutch children’s songs or short videos with subtitles.
• •Keep a small note in your phone with useful words from daily life.

How host families can support language learning

A host family does not need to become a teacher. The most helpful thing is to make language learning practical, kind and realistic. Clear expectations matter: when can the au pair attend a course, who pays for what and how much Dutch practice fits naturally into the week?

• •Help your au pair choose one realistic course or practice option.
• •Explain which language costs you are willing to support, if any.
• •Practise simple Dutch during routines without correcting every sentence.
• •Write down useful household words: laundry, dishwasher, school bag, lunchbox.
• •Encourage confidence, not perfection.
• •Make language learning part of cultural exchange, not an extra pressure.