Private Dutch lessons in primary school
From first words to first spoken sentences, a Dutch coach who supports your child at their own pace, at home anywhere in Belgium or online.
How can you help your child with Dutch in primary school?
Since the reform of the common core curriculum, a modern language has been on the programme from the 3rd year of primary school. In Brussels, it must be Dutch. In Wallonia, it is Dutch, English or German, depending on the school.
At this age, children learn fast. But with a few periods a week in a full class, they hear little of the language and speak it even less.
The coach starts from what the child sees in class: the vocabulary of the current topic, the instructions, the short phrases to introduce themselves, count or tell the time. They work with pictures, games and short dialogues, so the child dares to answer.
In immersion schools, the work also covers the subjects taught in Dutch. If dyslexia has been diagnosed, we choose a coach experienced with this profile.
See also our private Dutch lessons at every level, Dutch in secondary school and all our private lessons in primary school.
What your child works on in Dutch, year by year
Expectations change quickly between the 3rd and 6th year of primary school. The coach follows the class programme and the child's actual level.
3rd and 4th year
First words and set phrases: introducing yourself, colours, numbers, family, school. Most of it is about listening: understanding a simple instruction and daring to answer.
5th and 6th year
Longer sentences, the first rules of grammar and conjugation, reading short texts and writing a few lines. It is also the age when the gaps between pupils widen.
Towards secondary school
Starting 1st year with a solid basic vocabulary and the habit of speaking. The language then becomes a subject in its own right, assessed in the CE1D at the end of 2nd year.
How does it work?
Analysis of the situation and goals
A My Sherpa educational advisor gets in touch and analyses the pupil's needs.
Designing the coaching programme
Your educational advisor proposes a suitable programme.
Coach selection
Your educational advisor selects the coach who suits your needs and your schedule.
Coaching follow-up
Throughout the programme of lessons, your educational advisor follows up and remains available.
Other subjects in primary school
Dutch at other levels
Need specific support?
My Sherpa, your support service dedicated to your children's success
12k
Pupils supported
Since 2003, from primary school to higher education.
97%
satisfaction
Families satisfied with the quality of their support.
87%
Success rate
Students who reach the goals set with their educational advisor.
A private Dutch tutor, chosen for your child
Private tutor, home Dutch teacher, coach: at My Sherpa, your educational advisor makes this choice with you. They assess your child's level and what they cover in class, then select a coach who is comfortable with young children and with the language.
Lessons take place at home anywhere in Belgium, or online, on weekdays and at weekends. At this level, a session usually lasts 1h30.
Does your child mainly want to learn to speak Dutch, outside the school curriculum? Discover our Dutch lessons, one to one or in a small group.
Dutch lessons in primary school: your questions
No. The CEB, at the end of the 6th year of primary school, covers French, maths and general studies (science, history, geography). Dutch is assessed by the school, in its own tests and exams. The first external language exam comes with the CE1D, at the end of the 2nd year of secondary school.
As soon as the language is on the programme, in the 3rd year, or earlier in immersion. The right moment is when the child starts to fall behind: they no longer understand the instructions, no longer dare to answer, or their marks drop. Caught at that stage, the gap covers little material.
Yes. In immersion, part of the lessons is taught in Dutch. The difficulty then lies as much in the vocabulary of those subjects as in the language itself. The coach is chosen to work on both.
Lessons start at €35/h in primary school, usually in sessions of 1h30. For a young child, one session every week counts for more than long sessions far apart. The first three sessions are a trial period: if your child does not get on with the coach, you continue with another one, at no extra cost.
You don't need to speak the language. The coach tells you what was covered and what is still shaky, and your educational advisor reviews progress with you throughout the support.
