{
  "id": 7310870,
  "title": "Brainwash: Anatomy of a Dutch language course",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/brainwash-anatomy-of-a-dutch-language-course",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-14T11:44:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DutchNews",
    "slug": "dutchnews",
    "url": "https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/09/brainwash-anatomy-of-a-dutch-language-course/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Dutch Brainwash school, known for its intensive Dutch language courses, caught the attention of DutchNews' Lauren Comiteau when inviting her to observe a class. Located in the heart of the Jordaan district, Albert Both's classroom is filled with stuffed animals, books, and games designed to aid students in learning Dutch. With a maximum of eight students per course, both the teacher and his learners create an informal, friendly atmosphere that fosters open communication and playful language use.\n\nThe secret to Albert's success lies in his teaching style, which focuses on practical application rather than strict structure. He teaches his students to use the present tense to describe past events, a method that allows them to practice conversational Dutch without feeling intimidated by the complexity of the past tense. His approach is revolutionary, as many of his students have struggled with Dutch language courses in the past, often experiencing anxiety or disconnection from the material.\n\nAmerican independent researcher Lauren Vargas, who has spent six years attempting to learn Dutch, found her breakthrough in Albert's one-week intensive course. She credits his teaching style and the casual, friendly environment for allowing her to make significant progress in just seven days. Other students, such as Jamie Tipelto, Jesse Corcoran, and Sudi, have also reported similar positive experiences. These individuals found the informal setting and emphasis on playfulness to be a refreshing contrast to the structured, impersonal classes they had previously attended.\n\nAlbert's unconventional teaching approach encourages students to make mistakes and embrace the learning process, ultimately boosting their confidence in speaking Dutch. This newfound confidence has made a significant difference for those living in the Netherlands for an extended period, like Romanian product manager Sudi, who had previously felt intimidated by the fear of making mistakes. By signing a contract to make 65,000 mistakes, Sudi has gained the courage to communicate more freely with Dutch speakers and integrate into the community.\n\nIn conclusion, Albert Both's Brainwash school provides a unique and effective approach to learning the Dutch language. By fostering an informal, friendly atmosphere and focusing on practical application, Albert has helped countless students overcome their language barriers and feel more connected to their new home.",
  "summary": "Ready to start speaking Dutch? The Dutch Brainwash school, which sponsored this piece, invited DutchNews’ Lauren Comiteau to visit a...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}