Intensive Dutch courses in Belgium
This two week intensive Dutch programme for young learners focuses on communication, immersion and interaction: the young people are supervised during lessons and activities, as well as during breaks and mealtimes. They are therefore constantly encouraged to speak Dutch by the instructors and native-speaking teachers.
The young people are divided into groups by age bracket : 9 to 11 years, 12 to 15 years and 16 to 17 years, in classes with an average of six participants (maximum nine).
To help you see your child’s progress in practice, the school has put in place an effective assessment system through:
- an online Dutch test before arrival at the centre
- an assessment by the teacher of the child’s ability to speak, starting from the very first lessons
- a language proficiency assessment carried out at the end of the stay
CERAN quality
As a leader in intensive language training and courses, CERAN prides itself on providing high-quality courses for children of all ages through a range of flexible options, ensuring that every child finds the right way to make rapid progress.
In the town of Ferrières (province of Liège), young people are welcomed within the grounds of Collège Saint Roch, a magnificent historic 17th-century building. Just 30 minutes from Liège and 5 km from the centre of Ferrières, an exceptional landscape and lush greenery await the young learners.
Several independent immersion areas, each comprising training rooms, a multimedia space, a dining room and a relaxation room, are available to the students. They will also be able to enjoy:
- a heated indoor swimming pool
- a football pitch
- a mini-football pitch
- a multi-sports hall
- two beach volleyball courts
- three badminton courts
- two mini-tennis courts
- a pétanque court
- a table tennis room
The centre also has two multimedia areas and an international lounge where all learners can meet.
Children learn effectively whilst having fun thanks to a communicative approach to language teaching, which prioritises speaking and is based on the principles of intensity (a minimum of 21 hours of lessons per week) and immersion – that is, practising the language outside the classroom in everyday situations (meals, activities and socialising).
Three teaching techniques specific to and unique to the CERAN centre:
- QRI (Question, Response, Intonation) is a technique based on continuous dialogue and mutual listening between the child and the teacher.
- Key phrases are a summary of the lessons. They are unique but can be applied in many general or academic contexts.
- The verbal-tonal method of phonetic correction helps the child improve their pronunciation.
Lesson content:
Group lessons – small groups of up to 9 students per level and age group. There are 7 sessions of 45 minutes per day.
- Speaking – speaking lessons twice a day. The focus is on the QRI method, key phrases and personal improvement in speaking skills, interaction, coherence, fluency and confidence when speaking. (2 sessions)
- Listening comprehension – listening skills lessons once a day. Using mainly short clips, these lessons assess the children’s comprehension and interaction with one another. (1 session)
- Writing – writing lessons once a day. These lessons are similar to typical grammar lessons, except that all activities and topics are based on the speaking and listening lessons. (1 session)
- Reading comprehension – reading skills lessons once a day. Similar to listening comprehension but with a focus on understanding written texts. (1 session)
- Language in Action – language games, language in action, debates and other activities where the target language is used in practice. (2 sessions)
- Individual lesson – the content of these lessons is based on the children’s needs and following the teacher’s assessment. They are recommended for preparation for a specific exam.
Young people are divided into groups by age bracket : 9 to 11 years, 12 to 15 years and 16 to 17 years, in classes of an average of six participants (maximum nine).
To help you see your child’s progress clearly, the school has put in place an effective assessment system comprising:
- an online Dutch test before arrival at the centre
- an assessment by the teacher of the child’s ability to express themselves orally from the very first lessons
- a language proficiency assessment carried out at the end of the stay
Each week includes:
- 28 45-minute Dutch lessons in small groups (21 hours)
- 19 supervised recreational activity sessions of 60 minutes
- a half-day excursion or recreational activities on Wednesday afternoons
Dutch lessons
The lessons focus on:
- listening comprehension
- speaking: role-plays (telling a story, giving a presentation, qualifying an opinion, taking part in a debate, etc.), through which the teacher highlights the grammar rules and vocabulary to be learnt
- reading comprehension: understanding, analysing and summarising written information
- written expression: writing summaries, comments and letters; knowing how to express an opinion, develop an argument and organise lecture notes
This programme is available for students aged 12 and over.
Does your child have specific gaps in their knowledge? Would they like to focus on specialist vocabulary? You also have the option of combining the group programme with private lessons for a more personalised learning experience.
Each week includes:
- 28 Dutch lessons of 45 minutes each in small groups (21 hours)
- Choice of: 2 or 4 personalisedone-to-one lessons
- a programme ofsocio-cultural activities, depending on the number of one-to-one lessons (see possible combinations below)
- a half-daydiscovery activity or excursion on Wednesday afternoon
- two days ofexcursions off-site on Saturdays and Sundays, if the stay is for a minimum of two weeks
Individual lessons are delivered in two consecutive 45-minute sessions, with a maximum of four lessons per week per participant. They replace some of the socio-cultural activities organised in the afternoons.
Here are the different possible combinations:
- Programme P2: 28 group lessons 2 private lessons
- Programme P4: 28 group lessons 4 private lessons
Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to either a sporting or cultural activity, on-site or off-site:
- Sports: football , badminton, basketball, handball, rugby, tchoukball, hockey, fencing, martial arts, climbing wall, swimming, tree climbing, rock climbing, hiking, tennis, horse riding, mountain biking, archery, beach volleyball
- Arts: creative arts, sculpture, drawing, painting, scrapbooking, fashion design, singing, improvisational drama, digital photography, short films
- Wellbeing: yoga , aqua fitness, Pilates, gym, Zumba, relaxation, walks
- Other activities: orienteering walk, kayaking, team building, escape game, disco and talent show, magic show, hip-hop, table tennis, board games, treasure hunt
At the weekend, excursions may include: city tours (Brussels, Bruges, Maastricht), theme parks, exhibitions and museums (Waterloo Museum, Exhibitions in Liège, Fashion Museum, etc.), chocolate factory
Accommodation in Ferrières
Accommodation is provided in single rooms. The bathroom is shared with other rooms.
Full board is included for the duration of the stay. On excursion days, students will be given a packed lunch, and all meals are included at the weekend if the stay lasts two weeks or more.
A laundry service is available twice a week.
Travel
Arrival day: Sunday (preferably between 4pm and 6pm)
Departure day: Saturday (between 8.30 am and 12.30 pm)
Transfers
If you wish, we can arrange your transfer from Brussels Zaventem Airport and the train stations in Brussels, Liège or Verviers. See the rates in the “Dates/Rates” tab.
Visa Information
Do you need a visa to take part in this programme? For more information on this, please visit our Visa Information page.
Please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone if you would like further information on this matter.
Dates & Prices 2026
Dates 2026
From 2 August to 22 August (last possible arrival on 16 August)
Prices 2026
All-inclusive rates excluding VAT; VAT applicable in accordance with current legislation.
| Cours & activités - Résidence, chambre individuelle, pension complète | |
|---|---|
| Programme - Par semaine | Prix |
| Programme intensif | € 1.910 |
| Programme combiné (supplément) - Par semaine | |
| 2 leçons individuelles (P2) | € 160 |
| 4 leçons individuelles (P4) | € 320 |
| 6 leçons individuelles (P6) | € 480 |
| 8 leçons individuelles (P8) | € 640 |
| Suppléments transferts (par trajet) | |
| Depuis l'aéroport de Bruxelles - Zaventem | € 135 |
| Depuis la gare de Liège ou de Verviers | € 85 |
| Mineurs non-accompagnés (UM) | € 40 |
| Suppléments logement | |
| Nuit supplémentaire | € 200 |
| Supplément assurance | |
| Serenity (possibilité de reporter le séjour jusqu'à 3 jours avant le début du stage en cas d'imprévu) | € 80 |
The above rates include:
- The programme of lessons and activities as described
- Equipment provided for all activities and courses (excluding sportswear)
- The online placement test
- A report on the language skills acquired, sent at the end of the stay
- Full-board accommodation at the centre from Sunday evening to Saturday morning
- Laundry service (twice a week)
- Weekend accommodation (for stays of two weeks or more)
The following are not included:
- Travel to the centre
- Any visa fees
- Optional supplementary insurance
