Taal aan Zee

About Taal aan Zee

Learn, meet, and connect!
With the support of a small team of paid staff, more than 300 volunteers in The Hague provide customized Dutch lessons to vulnerable non-native speakers, refugees, and asylum seekers.

The main goal is to strengthen their self-reliance and promote their participation in society. Taal aan Zee reaches approximately 1,400 non-native speakers annually who do not (yet) have access to regular education.

- Asylum seekers and refugees receive lessons centrally at our new location at Calandstraat 1 in The Hague. On the 5th floor, volunteers teach Dutch (NT2) to asylum seekers and refugees from Monday to Friday.

- Vulnerable non-native speakers receive Dutch lessons at home or in small groups at a location nearby. Language coaches from Taal aan Zee teach socially vulnerable non-native speakers in The Hague. They receive customized Dutch lessons at home, or—if possible—in a small group nearby in the neighborhood. Group lessons are held at community centers, schools, or organizations like KesslerPerspektief and SHOP. Due to circumstances, non-Dutch speakers are (still) unable to attend regular Dutch courses.

- Language-at-Sea Buddies
Language buddies help asylum seekers and refugees practice everyday language situations. The buddies meet (on average) once a week to borrow a book from the library, inquire about a course at the community center, ask for directions on the street, and also practice for a job interview. This helps participants navigate the city better and learn more about local customs and Dutch culture.

- As a language volunteer at the library, you facilitate conversation sessions at one of the library locations where non-Dutch speakers (immigrants, established immigrants, refugees, expats) practice Dutch together. We require a 2.5-hour availability per week. If you prefer not to be assigned weekly, this is certainly negotiable.