Easy Languages

School

Location

Antwerp is a very animated metropolis and home to the most important universities in Flanders. From its position overlooking the mouth of the river Scheldt, Antwerp has long dominated Northern European trade. In the 16th century, the city’s wealth attracted merchants and manufacturers from across the continent and today it boasts the second largest port in Europe. However, the old city holds plenty of charm for those who prefer a quieter outlook on Europe; many of the old buildings have been conserved, including the beautiful Gothic and renaissance facades surrounding the town market. Antwerp also boasts an animated night life, with pubs and night clubs famous world-wide.

School

Our partner school is located in a residential neighbourhood between two large parks, not far from Antwerp Airport and Berchem station, and about 5 km from downtown Antwerp.

On the ground floor, you will find a reception and a spacious study room complete with a small library, a selection of computers, and a "coffee corner". A teacher is always available here. In the summer, the students can even relax outside in the sun, in the small garden belonging to the school. Classrooms are upstairs.

The second building is barely 50m from the first and typically takes students signed up to more specialised courses.

The school is a registered centre for the preparation of the official Dutch international exam, the CNaVT.

Two tramlines stop opposite the school and in only 15 minutes can take students into the centre of town, stopping by the Cathedral. All host families live about 45 minutes away from the school, either by bus or by tram.

Courses

We offer several programmes in our catalogue. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes and takes place in groupes of around 8 (maximum 12) students. All of our teachers are native Dutch speakers.

• Standard programme - 24 group lessons
  This course programme includes 20 lessons of 45 minutes in the morning and 2 afternoons (4 lessons) of Interactive Language Learning (ILL) per week. Students attend the Grammar and Conversation Workshops. This course starts any Monday, except in July and August. Minimum age is 18. No beginners.
  
  
• Combined programme: 20 group lessons + 6, 9, or 12 individual lessons
  This programme consists of 20 45 minute lessonsper week, to which 6, 9, or 12 private lessons can be added. A2 level required. No beginners. Minimum age 18 years. Available all year round.
  
  
• Summer programme - 24 lessons + 2 half days of activities (July-August only)
  This special programme combines 24 lessons of 45 minutes and 2 afternoon activities per week. Minimum age is 16. All levels are available except beginners.
  
  Students aged 8 to 17 may also be interested in our holiday courses in Bruges.
• Standard programme for beginners: 20 lessons per week
  This programme is specially open to beginners, and teaches the basics of the Dutch language. It's possible to enrol the first Monday of every month, for two or four weeks, all year round (except in December). There is a maximum of 6 students per class. If there are only two students enrolled for a session, they will receive 15 semi-individual lessons. If there is only one student enrolled for a session, they will receive 10 individual lessons.
  From 16 years.
• Long term course - 28 lessons
  Standard Course (20 lessons in the morning) supplemented by 4 lessons of ILL and 4 lessons of ILP (Interactive Language Project). There is 1 afternoon activity per week, usually a sport activity.
  All students prepare a paper to be presented at the end of the stay. 2 lessons per week are spent on teacher-guided work on this paper. Minimum age is 18. No beginners.
  
• Individual programme - 10 hours per week
  This course programme of private lessons begins with an oral evaluation by telephone before arriving, in order to establish the student's level and objectives.
  
  This programme is ideal for students preparing for an exam.
• Professional course - 20 full hours per week
  The programme focuses on Dutch in a professional environment, with specialised vocabulary. We offer two formulas:
  
  • Mini-group course - 25 lessons
    Given the small size of the group (maximum 6 students), the objectives of each student are taken into account. From 21 years. Minimum 2 weeks, all year.
  • Private course - 25 individual lessons
    After a telephone interview determining the level and objectives of the participant, the student receives a tailor-made course programme. 1 week minimum.
    If you want to enjoy a less intensive programme, don't hestitate to contact us.

Check out an example of the student-created magazine here.

Accommodation

Accommodation is in host families. Those can be families with children, families without children, older married couples or single people.

Bed linen and towels will be provided.

Students will be able to wash their laundry in the host family’s laundry room.

Host families provide half board. You will receive full board on Saturday and Sunday.

Deposit:

• For stays of 1 - 4 weeks: 150 €
• For stays of 4+ weeks: 300 €

The deposit will be used for any damages caused to the host family, the school or educational material, bus passes, or, should the student wish, extra school materials. All books are lent out to the students for free. However, sometimes they prefer to buy one or more additional books themselves.

Prices and Dates

Prices include:

• The chosen course programme
  
• Internet access at school
  
• Accommodation in a host family with half board
  
• Supervision during the activities (not all entrance and transportation fees are included)
  
• Certificate of participation
• School books and material
• All administrative fees and enrolment costs
  

Prices do not include:

• Entrance fees for some activities
  
• Transportation to and within Antwerp
• Transfer to the accommodation
• Deposit

Dates 2012

• Standard group course (24 lessons): this course starts any Monday, except in July and August.
• Intensive group course (20 + 6 lessons): this course starts any Monday.
• Summer course (20 lessons + activities): these courses start any Monday in July and August (except for 29/8).
• Junior summer course (26 lessons + activities): two 2 week sessions
• Long term course (30 lessons): starting dates in February and September for 8, 12, 15 or 18 weeks.
• Professional course: starting dates any Monday.
• CNaVT exam preparation: dates to be announced

Holidays (no classes) : 1 week in December (Christmas week), Good Friday, the Monday following Easter, May 1 (labor day), Ascension, Pentecost, August 15, and November 11.

Practical Info

Transport

• Arrival: Berchem station
  

This station is closest to the school and well-connected by public transport.

If you intend to travel by car please warn your hosts to arrange an arrival time.

Visa Information

EU residents do not normally need a Visa to enter Belgium.

Citizens of other countries, such as the USA, Brazil, Japan, Korea, etc, can stay in Spain without a Visa for up to 3 months.

If you intend to stay for longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for a Student Visa (type D) before arriving.

Students coming from such countries must acquaint themselves with the visa application procedures involved at their local Belgian Embassy or Consulate.