UvA Talen - Roetersstraat 25

A COMPLETE FRAUD; THE WORST PLACE THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN AND BEEN!!! I would not recommend this place to anyone, unless you are only interested in getting a certificate rather than serious training. When I looked on the internet about English courses in Amsterdam, it showed up UVA TALEN, which seemed to be professional and serious. First of all you have to enrol yourself in the course that you want to join and then you have to fill in an online test, and after all that a native English-speaking teacher will call you to have a 15’ conversation with you by the phone to decide the right level class that you should be in. My result was quite high:ENGLISH ADVANCED 2. After this procedure, I bought the correspondent book to happily start with my first day. My big surprise was to realize that the rest of the people that they had put me in with could not even reach the level of INTERMEDIATE (if I am being generous). The “Pseudo Teacher” was talking complete nonsense over the 2 hours class while he was translating some of the English words in wrong Spanish under the excuse that he was trying to help one of the Spanish students, and the most embarrassing and awkward thing I faced: some racist comments that I heard from a person who is supposedly called a teacher. My first reaction was to complain, and the answer from him was: this is my way, if you don’t like it go and complain to someone else. I was completely shocked, and of course I decided to formally complain to the teacher’s manager; her name is Yvonne, and I gave a detailed explanation about the following irregularities that were occurring and what was happening within his class: 1- Gathering people with different levels of English in the only course they made available. 2- The lack of the structure in the class. 3- And the most serious matter in my personal opinion: allowing someone to be in the front of the class expressing inappropriate comments about his personal beliefs. Her unexpected response was: well, perhaps you’re right, but it seems there are people that are happy with it, otherwise they would stop coming... don’t you think so? Honestly; I think that some authority in Holland should investigate this place, especially the credentials from these “teachers”. It is unacceptable and unethical that such a situation can exist.

Great classes with small groups, great learning materials and fun exercises. Teachers are experienced and demanding.

I graduated intensive english courses. It was very enjoyable. Small group, friendly and competent teachers, interesting classes. It was definitely useful for me. I am pleased to recommend this language school.

I've taken the intensive Dutch A1-A2 and the intensive Dutch B1.1 courses. If you can afford the time and money, I recommend doing intensive courses as the quickest way of "switching" on your Dutch :) All of my teachers were great, with diverse approaches and strengths, which helps with overall immersion and understanding.

The success of the Institutions changes accordingly teachers skills. Some teachers of UvA are very talented, and they spend to much time for the teaching. They prepare handouts, writing assignments, etc. They give all important inputs for improving student's language. However some teachers of UvA are very boring. They come in the class and start to read book. They don't prepare they self for lessons and I don't want to give extras because they have to check later. They is no standardization between teaching methods of teh teachers. I think UvA has to consider develop an institution capacity building program for the teachers to the good reputation of UvA. I would like to thank that you reaching students and doing this kind of search. Sincerely

I did an intensive Dutch-A2 course and I am 1000% happy about the course, the teacher (thank you so much Anne!), the organization and the infrastructures (Amsterdam university). I highly recommend!! Small mention: as the name « intensive » says, it’s an intensive course and the pace is high, so it might not fit everybody’s learning style

I took four Dutch courses in UvA Talen, and I must say the institution is excellent in providing language services. They have well-developed teaching programs and all necessary facilities for the course. Most of the teachers are competent, and I am grateful for their help. There was, however, one teacher with a terrible attitude towards the students. He made examples with Borat references (more offensive rather than just funny)​ in the first class as soon as he learned that I'm from Kazakhstan. Plus, I forgot a word in Dutch and asked that in English. The teacher reacted with a comment that this was not an English class and I must speak Dutch. I believe such an approach does not help with breaking a language barrier at all and is highly demotivating. I hope the organization will consider my feedback to avoid such unpleasant situations in future.

A professional language institution. I took 3 courses there. Hereby I mention them, vote and give a quick review from my experience. Dutch for Beginners: 5 points. Excellent teachers and very good methodology. It is a very good school for who want to start learning the language, but the course is very intensive. English - Upper Intermediate Level: 5 points. The best was the teacher here, professional, prepared, very patient with us and he tried to explain us all our weird questions with a lot of examples. We really practice and speak a lot at lessons. All my class felt that we learned a lot. English - Advanced Level: 4 points. We had good teachers but the methodology was not the appropriated for my class. However we spoke with the teachers and the coordinator and the issues were solved. But indeed we learn a lot, my listening improved a lot. In my opinion, it is a good center to learn English and especially Dutch. I think teachers and methodology make the difference but in general I enjoyed studying there and not only you learn a language, you also make friends and enjoy the city.