About us

We (Marjolein and Elise) have joined forces to share our passion for teaching Dutch. We are both cheerful, professional and committed teachers who want to see you achieve your goal to speak Dutch as soon as possible! We know it’s possible and want you to see it’s possible too! 

Learn more about us


Elise

Elise van der Heijden

Dynamic Dutch instructor

Hello! I’m Elise van der Heijden, born and bred in Nijmegen and Wageningen, but I left the comfort of the Netherlands behind me when I moved to London when I was 18, and then to the mysterious mountains of Peru six years later. In 2006 is also when I started teaching English in 2006, and I decided to go back to my roots and started offering more Dutch classes in 2020. 

I’ve always loved languages, literature, creativity and expression and I’m incredibly driven to continuously discover new ways of making the language learning process easier and more fun for my students. 

I’m married to a wonderful Peruvian man and have two beautiful Peruvian-Dutch children.

Here’s a short summary of my experience


17 years of teaching experience
Founder and director of “Asociación Cultural y Educativa El Arte Sano”, an NGO that offered language classes and cultural events in Urubamba, Peru, active from 2008-2017. During my time as the director and lead teacher of the organization, I also recruited, trained and monitored dozens of English language teachers from different parts of the world.
Author of 4 professional Dutch language learning books published online.
Translated over 20 published books from Spanish into English, and 2 published books from Dutch into English.

3 questions about Elise

What do you love about teaching?

Feeling 100% present when I’m teaching; the infinite creative possibilities that planning classes offers; and getting to know my students and seeing their language skills. Ultimately, their growth is my reward!


Can you describe yourself in 3 words?

I would say I’m committed, creative and entertaining.


Do you have any unusual hobbies?

I have been doing capoeira all my adult life, and I also love crocheting! (I hope they’re unusual enough..!)


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Marjolein

Marjolein Benschop

Dynamic Dutch instructor

Hey there! My name is Marjolein. I’m originally from a town close to Utrecht. I loved growing up in a small city in the Dutch countryside, biking to school and eating plenty of cheese and ‘pepernoten’ (if you don’t know what they are yet, we will teach you in class 😉 ).

After a semester abroad in New Zealand, I lived in Spain, England, Peru (where I met Elise!) and back to Spain where I now live with my Argentinian husband and 1 y/o daughter.

I love cheering others on to start speaking foreign languages and to provide them with the right tools to see results faster. I also love listening to their stories. It truly is the most fulfilling job for me!

Here’s a short summary of my experience


9 years of teaching experience
Taught Dutch to over 700 students online
Helped over 100 students pass the Inburgeren Exam
Taught English, Spanish and Dutch in a wide variety of settings from companies in Spain to an elementary school in Peru
Can hold a conversation in Dutch, English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Italian and Catalan
MSc in Psychology of Social Relations, University of London, Goldsmith’s College

3 questions about Marjolein

What do you love about teaching?

I’m a people person, so I love helping others reach their goals, getting to know them and laughing together. As a teacher, I’m highly motivated to help a student go from insecure and overwhelmed to confident and conversational in Dutch. When a student manages to have a successful conversation in Dutch, that makes me the happiest professional there is.


Can you describe yourself in 3 words?

Curious, happy and ambitious.


Do you have any unusual hobbies?

I love finding out more about foreign languages and cultures, so I read biographies, listen to foreign radio stations, sing along to songs and watch foreign series and films from all around the world (from India, to Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Japan and Brazil). My husband never knows what language he’s hearing and has to ask, it can be anything really!


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Want to have classes with a friend, partner, group or company?

Leave us a message or book a discovery call for further information. We’re happy to adapt the classes and schedule to your needs.

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