About the Dutch School Silicon Valley

Introduction

The Dutch School Silicon Valley (www.dutchschoolsiliconvalley.org) has been operational in the Bay Area since September 2001.

The school provides language instruction to students between the ages of 5-18 years old. Children who are 4 years old, but will turn 5 before December 1st are able to enroll at the beginning of the schoolyear. Children who will turn 5 after December 1st can enroll after their 5th birthday. We accommodate native Dutch speakers seeking to maintain their Dutch language skills and native English speakers with a desire to learn Dutch as a second language.

DSSV not only teaches children Dutch language skills, but also exposes them to Dutch culture.

The organization

DSSV is a California approved non-profit organization. The Dutch School Silicon Valley is fully accredited by the Dutch Government. Our curriculum meets the requirements implemented by the Dutch government. The School is recognized as a language center by the US-based “Cordell Hull Foundation for International Education”. Additionally, the school is accredited by at least two Bay Area school districts such that classes count towards foreign language requirements.

The school currently operates class rooms in Palo Alto, Berkeley, and San Jose. We are interested in opening locations at other areas.

Classes are conducted Monday through Thursday and Saturdays. But days vary per location.

We try to group the students according to their age, their grade level and their knowledge of the Dutch language as best as we possible can.

Each group meets once a week for a two and a half-hour classroom instruction. Weekday classes start at 3:45 PM and end at 6:15 PM. In Berkeley, it's 4 PM till 6.30 PM. Saturday classes (Palo Alto) start at 10 AM till 12:30 PM and from 12.30 PM till 3 PM.

Curriculum

Our curriculum covers the needs of Dutch expatriate students (who are enrolled in the American School System) with supplemental instruction in the Dutch language, keeping them current on Dutch language requirements as taught at schools in the Netherlands ensuring that these students can more easily return into the Dutch school system upon repatriation.

In addition, we have a large group of students from families who are permanent residents of the San Francisco Bay area and who want their children to learn Dutch as a second language, as well as, enhance their overall knowledge of the Dutch culture.

Our teachers are accredited native Dutch speakers with work experience in the Netherlands.

We use methods and materials imported from Holland like “Time for language” (Taaltijd) and “Treasure chest of words” (Woordenschatkamer).

During the lessons we work on developing and improving Dutch vocabulary, speech, reading ability and writing skills (spelling & grammar).

Our teachers combine traditional class-room language instruction with cool learning games, Dutch music & songs, drama (roleplay), arts & crafts and cooking (from making Dutch treats from scratch to putting together a complete "Rijsttafel"): all in the spirit of learning the Dutch language and culture.

We test on a regular basis to track the development of our students. The teachers can adjust the curriculum based on the outcome of the tests. DSSV wants to cater to the individual developmental needs of the child.

In addition to the regular curriculum, we also organize special events for the students, siblings and parents including a “Sinterklaas Feest” and a “Koninginnedag Feest”.