Bart de Pau Language Courses BV is active since 2014 providing Dutch courses for foreigners.

Bart de Pau Language Courses BV is registered at Landstraat 190, 1401 ET, Bussum (administrative address).
Chamber of commerce registration: CoC: 71196846
VAT registration: NL858618175B01
Phone: +31648074618

The in-person courses take place at:
– Vakantiepark Het Timmerholt, Gagelmaat 4, 9431KT Westerbork, Drenthe

Bart de Pau Langauge Courses BV is abbreviated as BLC.

BLC provides:
– Dutch courses in a virtual classroom
– intensive offline Dutch courses (with accommodation) at the BLC Dutch Summer School
– intensive offline Dutch courses (with accommodation) at the BLC Dutch Winter School

All the information on bartdepau.com – such as the terms and conditions of NRTO, the NRTO code of conduct, the complaint procedure etc. – applies to the Virtual classrooms, Summer and Winter Schools only.

Please note: the current page (bartdepau.com) does NOT to relate to:
– free materials about the Dutch language and culture on Bart de Pau’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and website learndutch.org
– paid premium materials on the website learndutch.org (if purchased as self-study, without an-inperson course)
For these free and paid materials, the information on bartdepau.com – such as the terms and conditions of NRTO, the NRTO code of conduct, the complaint procedure etc. – does NOT apply.

Our mission:
Our goal is to deliver a quality language program at an affordable price. We want to provide maximum progress per invested euro. That is why we offer group courses and invest a lot in online materials. We want the process to be fun and efficient. We want to be clear and honest about our services and course results. We think that client satisfaction depends mainly on: learning results, fun, price/quality, having the right expectations, having the right mix of motivated students.

We very much value students who invest their time in choosing our courses and have a high motivation to learn Dutch. Please, take your time to find out if our courses are for you or not. Feel free to contact us by phone if you doubt. We always try to give an honest advise and we won’t try to sell you something that you don’t need. If we think the course is not for you, or if we think your plan is too ambitious, we’ll tell you.

About bartdepau.com:
We offer our programme as Summer School, Winter School, virtual classrooms (promoted on different websites). To make the registration and communication with existing clients easy, we’ve combined all booking activities and generic information on one website: bartdepau.com). There is also a specific e-mail address for existing clients (study [at] bartdepau.com).

On bartdepau.com you can find only information with respect to courses in a classroom (online and offline). The information at bartdepau.com does NOT relate to our free materials or #dutchgrammar subscriptions (more information on learndutch.org).

Bart de Pau Language Courses BV (in short: BLC) is a member of NRTO, the Dutch Council for Training and Education. BLC holds the NRTO Quality mark. BLC adheres to the NRTO General Terms and Conditions. These terms and conditions are agreed with the Dutch Consumers’ Association.

In Dutch: Algemene Voorwaarden
In English: General Terms and Conditions

As we understand that this is an extensive and generic document, we highlight a few things below:

Our services & definitions (article 1)

– The free materials and the #dutchgrammar video course are not covered by these terms and conditions.
– The BLC Dutch Summer School / Winter School are considered ‘face-to-face’ instruction.
– The virtual classrooms are considered an educational service that is for the most part offered by means of an electronic (learning) environment.

Accommodation
– The NRTO General Terms and Conditions do not regulate ‘accommodation’
– Accommodation in Drenthe is a part of one agreement for accommodation and educational service together: payment terms, cancellation conditions, cooling off period of NRTO apply on the entire agreement and as such on the accommodation as well. Additional conditions of the accommodation/holiday park apply as indicated here.
– Accommodation in Amsterdam is a direct agreement between the client and the accommodation provider without BLC; BLC’s general terms and conditions are not applicable, also not in the situation the BLC issues a coupon discount code.

Cancellation policy (article 5)
For Summer/Winter School/virtual classrooms:
– cancellation more than 2 months prior to the course – 10% will be charged*
– cancellation between 1 and 2 months prior to the course – 20% will be charged*
– cancellation between 2 weeks and 1 month prior to the course – 30% will be charged*
– cancellation less than 2 weeks piror to the course – 50% will be charged*
– early termination the full cost of the current block will be charged*

* on the total sum of the agreement (also applicable to the costs of accommodation, in case of a course with accommodation in Drenthe)

Cooling off period = 14 calendar days:
On distance agreements there is a cooling off period of 14 days; which means that you can cancel the service without any costs within 2 weeks after concluding the agreement. Please note, that we have an online registration deadline: 2 weeks prior to the course (or earlier in case the course gets fully booked). It’s still possible to sign up less than 14 calendar days prior to the course if there are spots available:
– Summer/Winter School: if you sign up in-person visiting our course location (after making an appointment) – no cooling off period as it is not a distance agreement
– Virtual classrooms (as in article 5.12): if you have expressly agreed in advance, that the execution can commence prior to the end of the termination period and you declare that you waive your right to terminate

Price changes (article 7)
– prices are always fixed; BLC will never raise prices on existing reservations; price changes are only applicable on new reservations

Payment (article 10)
– payment in cash is not accepted by BLC; only iDeal, bank transfer, credit card.

Accommodation (offline courses in Drenthe)
BLC’s accommodations are located at Holiday Park ‘Landgoed Het Timmerholt’ (in full: ‘Stichting Vakantiepark Het Timmerholt’), member of RECRON (Recreation Businesses Association Netherlands). BLC has an agreement with the holiday park.

This means that:
– RECRON conditions are applicable (except article 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 because this is arranged in the NRTO conditions)

Level
One of the student requirements is having the right entrance level:
– Doing the level test prior to signing up is mandatory, except: a) when the student books level 1, b) has already done level 5, 6 or R with Bart de Pau Language Courses
– It is possible to sign up for a different level than indicated in the level test, in case this is agreed with Bart de Pau Language Courses during an oral intake (for example: depending on the scores and level of speaking)
– Bart de Pau Language Courses may require the student to do an extra level test not later than 4 weeks prior to the start of the course.

Not meeting the student requirements
– In case a student doesn’t meet the student requirements, including the situation where a student signs up without level test and/or without doing the extra level test as requested, Bart de Pau Language Courses has the right to: change the level, postpone the course or cancel the course.

Apart from the general terms and conditions, specific variables of the course that you booked apply.

These you can find on the course website (before booking) and on the booking confirmation:
– course dates
– course price
– course price specification if you book more services (specification for course and accommodation)
– course location (online, Drenthe)
– total amount of classroom tuition
– total amount of self study/homework
– BLC’s level qualification (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or R)
– required entrance level (according the CEFR framework)
– target level (according the CEFR framework)
– required book and materials
– room type (if you book accommodation)
– amount of nights (if you book accommodation)
– check-in date (if you book accommodation)
– check-out date (if you book accommodation)
– specific conditions (level test requirement, intake form requirement)

Student requirements:
– the student has a basic level of English (preferably B1 or higher)*
– the student is at least 18 years old (younger applicants may participate under certain conditions**)
– the course pace is aimed at higher educated students; having a university degree is not a strict requirement, however count on more time needed for self study if you’re a slow learner
– the student has the required entrance level to do the course, more information here
– a laptop / tablet is needed for the self study / homework
– doing the homework is a requirement to do the course, count on 3-4 hours homework per lesson (additional to classroom education)
– to get a certificate: at least 80% of the lessons / homework should be completed
– [offline courses] the student has the right to stay in the Netherlands (visa/residence permit/nationality that doesn’t need a visa)
– [online courses] the student has a stable internet connection, a microphone and a camera

* Do we only speak in English? Of course not! It’s a Dutch course and we try to speak as much Dutch as possible in class. We use (simple) English:
1. in our e-mails
2. in the #dutchgrammar instruction videos (research shows: instruction in the target language makes no sense until B2)
3. in class in the levels 1 and 2 (and sometimes in level 3 depending on the strength of the group)
4. all our vocabulary lists are Dutch-English
5. we provide translations of Dutch spoken videos in English

** Students between 16-18 years old can participate under certain conditions:
– courses without accommodation (lessons-only packages and virtual classrooms)
– courses with accommodation: if the parents undersign a declaration OR if the student travels together with a parent
– student should be familiar with learning foreign languages
– student should have the motivation to learn Dutch (and not do the course because the parents want it!)

Our course is adult education, based on the idea that the student has an inner motivation to learn Dutch. We do not force people to attend classes, or to do the homework. We just expect that. Our offline programs are NOT camps under full supervision. We have no resources to provide extra attention to youngsters, to correct behaviour or to take responsibility for what they do outside the classroom. We don’t want to play the police. If you are a parent thinking about sending your child(ren), feel free to contact us for advice. In the past, we had young students who successfully integrated in the group of adults. But we’ve had also some students who could not handle the freedom of being away from home for the first time. Of course we would like to avoid situations that harm the learning experience of others.

Learn more here.

The team of language trainers at the BLC Dutch Summer School / Winter School / Virtual classrooms consists experienced language trainers of Dutch as a second language. The number of trainers fluctuates between 20-30 depending on the demand.

We select our teachers, using the following criteria:
– an NT2-qualification, a teaching degree or a university degree in Dutch/linguistics or related subject
– at least 3 years of teaching experience of Dutch as a second language
– native speaker of Dutch
– extensive experience in teaching groups
– preferably having experience with self paying students (a demanding, highly motivational audience)

We educate our teachers to work with our own method.

We monitor the quality of the teaching through client feedback.

Please note:
It’s quite common that our students like the language trainer and then want to continue the next level with the same language trainer. To a certain extent we already take this into account when making our initial planning. For example: trainer A teaches level X in period Y and she/he will teach level X+1 in period Y+1. It’s important to realise that we can never give a full guarantee that a specific teacher will teach your course! Because plannings can change as there are unforeseen circumstances; teachers can get ill, change their planning and there are more factors that we take into account when making a planning (some trainers prefer certain levels). We can only guarantee that the language trainer complies with the above mentioned requirements.

PRIVACY POLICY

Who are we?

This is a website of the company: Bart de Pau Language Courses BV, Landstraat 190, 1401 ET, Bussum, The Netherlands; contact: study@bartdepau.com. Chamber of commerce registration: 71196846. 

What is this document about?

This document describes which data is collected on this website, how, why, and what we’ll do with it.

Which data do we ask from you on the website?

All parts of the website are accessible without the need to leave your contact details.

On the following forms of the website we ask for your personal details:

1. Level determination test -> to provide you with an indication of the right group course, we have a level determination test on the website. The results of the level determination test are sent by e-mail. We store the test results to be able to advice you about the right level in case you approach us for advice. Unless you opt-in for our newsletter, you won’t receive other e-mails from related to the level test.
2. Course booking -> When you book a course with us, we ask for your personal details in accordance with the requirements of the law. The details are shared with: our accountant, our accommodation providers (in case you book a course with accommodation). We store billing information as long as required by tax authorities. Current legislation requires 7 years of storage. We will delete/anonymise billing information after 7 years unless regulations change.
3. Pre-registration -> Some courses are opened earlier through ‘pre-registration’. We collect the same data as with a course booking. Pre-registrations are converted into course bookings once the course is confirmed.
4. Intake form (questionnaire) -> After you reserve a course, we ask for extra details (educational background, experience learning Dutch, and information needed to plan logistics). We keep this information for 3 years (most of our students book multiple courses and it’s helpful to access your information at a later stage).
5. Waiting list -> When a course is full and you sign up for a waiting list, we will contact you if spots become available.
6. Feedback form -> After a course is completed, we ask you for feedback (how you experienced the course). We keep feedback information for 3 years. Then we anonimise it.
7. Complaint procedure -> We keep the information you file in a complaint for 3 years. Then we anonimise it.
8. Newsletter subscription -> Read more below.

E-mail newsletter
Website visitors can subscribe to our newsletter. We send our newsletter occasionally (about 5-10 times per year) to inform you about topics like:

• Dates / prices when we open subscription of the new season
• Updates on availability (related to typical peak season periods)
• Experiences of students (pictures, blogs, reviews)
• Special offers / announcement of early bird booking periods/deadlines
• Other information/news related to our language courses
• we use Mailchimp to send our newsletter (marketing automation platform); by subscribing to our weekly e-mail you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms. This information is stored on Mailchimp’s servers in the United States of America.
• we have closed a Data Processing Agreement with Mailchimp.
• Mailchimp tracks activity (such as: is e-mail opened, are links clicked etc). This helps us to identify inactive members of our mailing list (to remove them from the list).
• when you subscribe through the exit-intent popup, this subscription to the Mailchimp mailing list is handled through Retyp LLC d/b/a OptinMonster’s software in accordances with their privacy policy and terms; we have closed a Data Processing Agreement with Retyp LLC d/b/a OptinMonster.
• Unless you’re a client, we use the double-optin function: which means that you need to confirm the e-mail that we send to you after you completed your name and e-mail on the website to subscribe to the e-mail newsletter.  If you don’t click on the link in the confirmation e-mail, you won’t be subscribed to the list.
• We submit booking information to our mailing list
• to access your data stored in the the mailing list:
  • click the link in the footer of the e-mail newsletter to access your data information/settings
  • to unsubscribe: click the ‘unsubscribe link’ in the footer of every e-mail newsletter

COOKIES

This website uses cookies to let the website function. A cookie is a small piece of text that our website places on your computer. For example: we use a cookie so you don’t need to login every time you use the site. Cookies can also have other functions: to gather statistics, to serve relevant advertisements. Cookies can be placed by third parties.

The website shows a popup message the first time you enter the website:
– with a link to our privacy policy
– and the option to accept or decline cookies.
You can change your initial choice later using the ‘reset cookie consent’ button in the footer of the page.

Which cookies do we use?

Google Analytics

We use Google analytics to track how users use our website. The statistics will be stored at Google’s serves in the United States of America. Our website sends the IP-addresses anonymised to Google. Because the IP’s are anonymised our website places cookies without consent. For more information, read the privacy policy of Google and the privacy policy of Google Analytics. We have signed a Data Processing Amendment with google. And we have opted-out for data sharing. Our Google Analytics account is linked to our Google Adwords account. This allows us to measure effectiveness of our advertisements.

Youtube

This website uses embedded videos that are hosted on Youtube (Google). Youtube places cookies to identify the visitor. Videos watched on youtube, including the embedded videos on this website influence how other videos (including advertisement videos) will be offered on Youtube to the visitor. More information: Youtube’s privacy policy.

Marketing

We use cookies to promote our services via Google Adwords. Through this cookie, you might see an advertisement of our products (Summer School, Winter School, online courses) on other websites. Also, we have linked our Google Analytics account to our Google Adwords account: this will let us measure if our advertisement is effective.

Vimeo

This website uses embedded videos that are hosted on Vimeo. Vimeo uses functionality cookies and so called ad targeting cookies: cookies that will track behaviour in order to serve relevant advertisement. For more information check Vimeo’s privacy policy.

Social media

This website uses social media buttons (Facebook, Google+, Twitter and other social networks). When someone likes/shares our content, your information is submitted to these social platforms.

Newsletter popup

As mentioned above, we use a popup feature (Retyp LLC d/b/a OptinMonster) to encourage people subscribe to our e-mail newsletter. This popup usually is shown when a person is abandoning the page (so called: exit-intent popups). Cookies are stored to prevent the popup showing every time you visit the website, and show up on every page.

Good to know: you can also edit cookie settings in your browser.

OTHER

Children

We acknowledge the privacy of Children and we encourage parents and others in charge of the children to play an active role in the online activities and interests of Children. Children younger than 13 years, or 16 years in case the children are inside the European Union, can not use or try to use our services. In case we find out that personal information was collected about a child, we will delete this information. Parents who find out that this website has collected information about a child can send a request to bart@learndutch.org to delete this information.

Who else has access to personal data?

Hosting

This website is hosted by WP Engine (wpengine.com), which has it’s servers in the United Kingdom, under their generic Data Processing Agreement.

Payment

If you make a purchase on this website, order date will be sent to Rabobank through their Omnikassa payment platform. Our website does not ask for credit card details – these details you input directly in Rabobank’s safe payments environment.

Language trainers

Our trainers have access all relevant information regarding your course booking. Language trainers can access only the client details of their own group.

Accounting

Data about purchases on this website is processed by our accountant Inzaken. Their privacy statement applies.

We are continuously monitoring the quality of our educational services. Therefore we’ll send an evaluation form within a week after the completion of your course.

In this evaluation form, we ask about:
– quality of the total program
– quality of the teacher
– quality of the book
– quality of the online materials
– quality of the information (website / e-mails)
– quality of the organisation
– how much time you spent on the self study
– evaluation of the learning result
– quality of the accommodation (if you booked a room)
– the price/quality score
– if you plan to come back
– suggestions

As a member of NRTO (the Dutch Council for Training and Education) Bart de Pau Language Courses BV (for short: BLC) adheres to the NRTO code of conduct.

In Dutch: gedragscode
In English: code of conduct

1. The procedure: for who
– The complaint procedure is applicable to clients/students of Bart de Pau Language Courses BV’s (further called ‘the organisation / we) who booked an offline course or a virtual classroom course.
– This procedure describes how a client/student (you) can file a complaint about the organisation.
– This procedure is not for users of the website (free/paid materials) who did not book a course (in an online/offline classroom).
– This procedure deals with situations where the received service was not in accordance with what could be expected based on the organisation’s website and course agreement (course confirmation) and common sense.
– This procedure does not deal with situations of sexual intimidation, discrimination, aggression, violence, intimidation.
– The first person to address an issue in class is the teacher. This complaint procedure is meant to address situations that could not be solved in the classroom.

2. Goal of the complaint procedure
– Through this ‘complaint procedure’ we hope to improve our educational service, minimise mistakes, and improve the information on our website to provide the right expectations of our services.

3. How to file the complaint:
– You can file a complaint using this form
– The course administration of the organisation deals with the complaint and the complaint will be treated confidentially.

4. After you filed the complaint:
– Within 2 weeks: we confirm the receipt of the complaint and we contact you to investigate the complaint and see if we can come to a solution. We try to act faster with ongoing courses.
– If the complaint takes more than 2 weeks to investigate, we will confirm the receipt of the complaint and indicate a term within we will respond, but no longer than 4 weeks.

5. Solution finding
– Depending on the severity of the complaint, the cause, the responsibility/liability, and the difference between what was communicated and the service that was received; we may offer a solution, which might be a compensation, a new (partial) delivery of the service, or substitute service.
– A possible result of the investigation and mutual consultation might be that we still hold a different view than you:

6. Dispute settlement ‘geschillencommissie’
– If the complaint cannot be resolved in mutual consultation, a dispute will have arisen that will be eligible for the dispute settlement at ‘de geschillencommissie’ through NRTO. The decision of ‘de geschillencommissie’ will be binding. A dispute settlement at ‘de geschillencommissie’ can be started only after the complaint procedure at the school is completed. The NRTO general terms and conditions, and the NRTO code of conduct will be leading in such a procedure.
– Course reservations made before 12th of May 2022 cannot have a dispute settlement at ‘de geschillencommissie’, because Bart de Pau Language Courses BV started to apply NRTO conditions only from that date.