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Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between Standard, Premium and Excellent?

The content of the three packages is the same, but you get either 3, 6, or 12 months to complete the course.

  • Standard – 3 months access to your online course
  • Premium – 6 months access to your online course
  • Excellent – 12 months access to your online course
When do the online courses start?

You can start one of our language courses at any time. The time allotted for the course starts at the moment you purchase a course. You can buy a 3-, 6-, or 12-month package.

Will I receive a certificate upon completion of my course?

You will receive a certificate by email at the end of your course. This certificate states that you have completed your course.

What do you have to do to receive a certificate for your course?

  • You need to have completed at least nine of the ten lessons in the course.
  • You must have completed lesson 10.
  • You need to have scored at least 70% on all the exercises.

The certificate states the end level attained by the course. If you need the certificate to enroll in a particular course of study, for work, or for another language course, always check with your school/university or employer which requirements your certificate needs to meet.

How many hours does a language course take to complete?

The number of hours you spend on a course varies from person to person. On average, it will take you 40-50 hours to complete a course. You decide for yourself how many hours you will be able to spend on your course and purchase the package that is right for you accordingly:

  • Standard – 3 months access to your online course
  • Premium – 6 months access to your online course
  • Excellent – 12 months access to your online course

The content of the three packages is the same, but you get either 3, 6, or 12 months to complete the course.

My course term has expired, but I haven’t finished my course yet. What can I do?

Before the access period for your course expires, you will receive an email from us with an offer to extend your course. You can choose an extension of 1, 3, 6, or 12 months.

Do I need books for my course?

The courses of The Language Academy take place entirely online. The courses include explanations of the grammar, glossaries with translations of words, dialogs, and exercises. So you don’t need any books.

What system does The Language Academy use for levels of language ability? What do levels A1, A2, B1, and B2 mean?

The Language Academy works with an internationally recognized standard for indicating levels of language ability: the Common European Framework of Reference. Thanks to this international standard, you always know the ability level for the course you are taking. This level will also be indicated on your certificate.

Here you will find an overview of the skills that are covered for each level.

How do I know what my level is?

Each course has a free trial, which consists of the full first lesson of that course. Try out the demo versions for a quick and easy way to determine what course level you need.

Here you will find an overview of all the demo versions.

Do the Dutch courses prepare me for the civic integration examination (inburgeringsexamen) or state examination (staatsexamen)?

Our Dutch courses do not specifically prepare you for the civic integration examination/state examination. Of course you can use our courses to improve your knowledge of Dutch.

How can I pay for my course?

You can pay for the course with iDeal, with MasterCard or Visa, or with VPAY.

Can I pay for my Dutch course with a DUO loan?

Unfortunately, at The Language Academy it is not possible to pay for your Dutch language course with a DUO integration loan.

What discounts does The Language Academy offer?

The Language Academy was developed by UvA Talen, the University of Amsterdam’s independent language center. This means that you are eligible for a discount if you fall into one of the following categories:

  • Existing UvA Talen student: €25
  • Student: €125,- discount on the Standard package (3 months access)
  • Student: 15% discount on all other courses
  • UvA or AUAS employee: 15%
  • Member of the UvA Alumni Association AUV: 15%

Do you fall into any of the above categories? Please contact us to receive a discount code.

In addition to the above discounts, we also offer special discounts for a number of companies and specific events (e.g. trade fairs). Are you interested in a collaboration? Please contact us.

Do I receive instruction in my own language?

What language of instruction is used in your course depends on the course you are enrolled in and the level of that course. All beginners’ courses are available with Dutch, English, and Spanish as the language of instruction, and some beginners’ courses are also available in French and German. Look at the course of your choice to see what languages of instruction are available.

Is it possible to add conversation lessons to my course?

Yes, this is why we developed Online+Teacher. In Online+Teacher, you combine your e-learning with online conversation lessons with our teachers.

What is included in Online+Teacher?

Online+Teacher comprises an e-learning course lasting 6 or 12 months in combination with 5 or 10 online conversation lessons. The private conversation lessons last one hour and take place via a digital platform. The conversation lessons are planned in consultation between you and the teacher.

What will I learn from the teacher in the Online+Teacher package?

During the online conversation lessons, the focus is on practicing your speaking skills. In the lower levels, you practice sounds and words, simple sentences and how to introduce yourself, for example. From level B1, the focus shifts to extensive conversations and more complex sentence structures. The teacher always tailors the  conversation lessons to your specific wishes.

Can I complete my course using a tablet/smartphone?

It is possible to do the course using your smartphone, but for the best user experience we recommend completing the course on a tablet or computer. Having a microphone on your computer/tablet is useful, because some of the exercises ask you to record your own voice.

Which is the best browser for me to use?

We recommend that you use one of the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge or Safari. These browsers provide the best user experience.

My employer is paying for my course. Can I have the course paid by invoice?

It is possible to have the invoice sent to your employer. Please contact us to discuss this possibility.

Does The Language Academy offer discounts to companies?

Would you like to offer The Language Academy online courses to your employees? You can! We can offer discounts to companies with ten or more interested employees. Send us a message, and we will contact you as soon as possible to discuss the possibilities.

Can I cancel my course after I have enrolled?

All our online courses are subject to a statutory cooling-off period of 14 days from the purchase date of your course. If you would like to take advantage of this cooling-off period, please indicate this when you log in for the first time. By doing so, you will only be given access to the course starting two weeks after this first log-in. During those two weeks you can cancel your course by sending us a message.
Would you prefer to start immediately? When you log in for the first time, check the box to indicate that you waive the statutory cooling-off period and would like to start the course right away.

 

Didn’t find the answer to your question? Send us a message!