Do I have to speak Dutch to become a teacher in the Netherlands?
When do I have to show proof of my level of Dutch language proficiency?
In some situations, you will be asked to demonstrate that your Dutch proficiency is at level B2 or C1 of the Common European Framework of References (CEFR). You will need to show proof when:
You want to become a teacher at a primary school (Ga naar artikel), and you possess a foreign teaching qualification. Your teaching qualification will first have to be assessed and certified. This is done by education implementation service DUO: Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs.
You don’t have any teaching qualification and would like to obtain one in the Netherlands. In this case, you will have to study at a Dutch university of applied sciences (Ga naar artikel) or research university (Ga naar artikel). In order to be admitted, your command of Dutch has to be at least at level B2 or C1, depending on which university you apply to.
When do I have to be able to speak Dutch, but without an official obligation to demonstrate my proficiency level?
If you want to teach at a school in the Netherlands that has Dutch as the language of instruction and communication, it is convenient to speak Dutch well enough to communicate clearly with your students and colleagues. School boards can determine whether or not they believe your Dutch proficiency matches their expectations without requiring hard proof of your proficiency level. This is the case if:
You want to become a secondary school (Ga naar artikel) teacher or a teacher in post-secondary vocational education and training (Ga naar artikel) and have a valid teaching qualification (as determined by DUO).
You have obtained your teaching qualification and/or another diploma in the Netherlands at a higher education level (Ga naar artikel) where Dutch was the language of instruction. Because demonstrating B2 or C1 level is often required to be able to enter into a Dutch study program in higher education, completion of your study program implies that you are proficient in Dutch.
As the school decides whether your Dutch is good enough to be able to teach their students, they can ask you to take a language course if you are not yet proficient enough according to their standards.
For more information about Dutch language state exams, available language courses and practice material, have a look at Staatsexamensnt2.nl.
When are there no Dutch language requirements I have to consider?
There are also a few teaching and teacher training options in the Netherlands without any Dutch language requirements:
You can become a teacher at an international school. To teach here, you do not have to demonstrate your level of Dutch, but you might be asked to demonstrate that your proficiency of the language of instruction, often English, is at a minimum B2 level.
Hogeschool Utrecht offers teacher training programs in English. You can study to become a German, English, French or Spanish teacher. To become a teacher in the subjects maths, science, English, history and geography, you can follow a teacher training program at NHL Stenden in Meppel. They also offer a teacher training program for primary education in English: the international pabo.
As English is the language of instruction at these programs, you will need to demonstrate your English level, but you will not be required to be proficient at any level of Dutch in order to enter the program. Keep in mind that if you wish to work at a Dutch (speaking) school afterwards, you will have to be able to speak Dutch.
