At American School of The Hague, our Kindergarten Dual Language (KDL) program offers young learners an immersive experience into both the Dutch and English language. Through hands-on and integrated learning and play sessions with other classes, students build confidence in a bilingual environment covering essential subjects like math, science, literacy, and social-emotional development.

 

Running since August 2024, KDL teacher Claire Bartstra has shared an update on how the students of our first KDL class are developing and learning.

 

 

Through stories and interactive activities, children naturally have started integrating key Dutch vocabulary such as 'het geheel' (the whole amount), 'een deel' (a part), and 'hoeveel meer' (how many more/addition)’ all while strengthening their mathematical understanding.

 

In science, as Claire shares, outdoor exploration supports their learning even further. Strongly founded on elements of observation and identification, students write simple sentences in Dutch like "Ik zie de boom" (I see the tree), reinforcing both math and language skills. “Integrating Dutch terms in context within the curriculum not only expands the students’ mathematical and scientific understanding, but creates a rich and interdisciplinary experience,” Claire says.

 

 

Play is at the heart of the KDL classroom. Through activities like role-playing real-world experiences—such as grocery shopping or visiting a bakery— the students have an excellent opportunity to acquire language naturally by learning practical Dutch phrases, while also having fun and nurturing imagination.

 

“Recently, the children created their own "gebakjes" (small pastries) in the Makerspace, discovering how the Dutch language changes when adding "je" to words,” Claire shared. Games, storytelling, and memory activities are always flowing seamlessly through the classroom, making language learning an everyday adventure.

 

 

The Dutch language may include sounds much different to the ones used in English. Having used the University of Florida Literacy Institute phonics method in her classroom, the students can now better recognize letter sounds and can identify beginning, middle, and ending sounds, making it easier to blend them into words. Long vowel sounds such as ‘oo’, ‘aa’, and ‘ee’ are introduced through relatable words like "oog" (eye). When practicing reading skills, Claire customizes or creates simple texts based on students' interests, helping literacy development through daily experiences while also nurturing a sense of community and connection within the class.

 

 

One of the key goals of the KDL program is to build confidence in speaking Dutch. In the first couple of months, students responded with simple words like "ja" and "nee." Over time, they have begun forming complete sentences, supported by structured routines. New daily check-ins encourage students to describe their activities using full Dutch sentences, while taking on independence and leadership roles—such as "Helper of the Day" and "Weather Forecaster"—reinforce vocabulary through real-life applications. For example, the ‘Helper of the Day” every morning, reads the daily schedule in Dutch and dresses the classroom bear according to the weather, reinforcing clothing-related vocabulary and sentence structure with phrases like "Het is maandag” (It’s Monday…). The "Weather Forecaster looks at the weather patterns and uses expressions such as "Het is heel koud" (It is very cold) or "Het is warm" (It is warm).

 

The morning routines are something that the students participate in with great enthusiasm– not only supporting their Dutch language acquisition, but also playing a central role in the social and emotional growth of the students where they can practice empathy, patience, listening skills, and adopt supportive attitudes towards their classmates.

 

Since its launch in August, the Kindergarten Dual Language classroom has flourished into a dynamic and thriving learning environment. For families planning to stay in the Netherlands or considering future higher education opportunities in Dutch institutions, the Dual Language program is an excellent option. By integrating Dutch into daily routines, play, and academics, we provide students with the tools they need to become confident bilingual learners, equipping them with skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.