The story behind Dutch Matters.
Dutch Matters. was founded by Miriam and Sam, two experienced teachers Dutch as a second language. With 15 and 6 years of experience respectively, they decided to join forces and launch a new, modern, and unique language school.
Our Mission
Our mission is to teach Dutch to expats in the Netherlands. We want to ensure they become full members of Dutch society and can participate in daily life just like a local. We want our classes to be fun and useful in daily life.
Sam
Sam is an NT2-certified teacher with a passion for helping people discover the Dutch language and culture. His journey as a language teacher began during his internship at the embassy of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka, where he taught Dutch to local staff. What started as a side project soon grew into a lifelong interest in teaching and intercultural connections and communication.
In 2019, Sam moved to Colombia, where he began teaching Dutch online to a group of nurses from the Philippines. Since returning to the Netherlands, he has worked as a freelance teacher for various language schools and institutions in Rotterdam, including Sagenn, Toptaal, CBE languages, and Erasmus University. Over the years, he has taught a wide range of students. From newcomers learning their first Dutch words to professionals perfecting their fluency, using diverse methods and materials.
Beyond teaching, Sam has contributed to developing NT2 learning materials, such as the language program for the Fenix art museum, and has worked as a translator and copywriter.
Miriam
After spending a year backpacking through Australasia, Miriam moved to the UK, where she obtained her ESL certificate. She went on to teach English as a second language at several language schools in both France and the UK. It was also there that she first discovered her passion for teaching Dutch as a second language.
Upon returning to Rotterdam, Miriam earned her NT2 Certificate and began teaching Dutch at CBE Languages, working mainly with expats and teaching in-company courses. She also taught Dutch to newcomers and long-term residents as part of (re)integration programmes commissioned by the Municipality of Rotterdam.
Her passion for language and culture has taken her far beyond the classroom. For five years, she lived in Ghana, where she founded and led an NGO that built a school for children without access to secondary education. That experience deepened her belief in the power of language to connect people across cultures.
Miriam enjoys working with students of all ages, helping them not only to learn a new language but also to feel confident using it in their everyday lives.
