Bilingual Education in The Netherlands is growing rapidly and more than 100 schools are now offering this sought after curriculum. Increasing emphasis on European and global cooperation has called for an English language standard in higher education, research, politics, international relations and, of course, business. Dalton Den Haag has risen to this challenge and is now proud of a successful TTO stream within the school.

TTO in the Netherlands

TTO (TweeTalig Onderwijs), or Bilingual Education, has found a popular and firm footing in The Netherlands. Based on a European-wide education initiative known as CLIL, (Content and Language Integrated Learning), TTO schools aim at achieving European educational standards such as The Common European Framework for Languages. The rules, regulations and quality of the TTO curricula are overseen by The European Platform and its steering body, the Netwerk TTO  that were appointed by the Dutch Ministry of Education (Ministerie OCenW) as coordinators of, and inspecting bodies to, all TTO schools in The Netherlands.

TTO at Dalton Den Haag

Dalton Den Haag is, first and foremost, a Dalton school and as such all our students become both personally motivated and highly
independent learners. TTO is an addition to this and is aimed at forming European and internationally oriented graduates. Special attention is paid to the development of European and International Orientation (EIO).

Dalton Den Haag also boasts both native speaker teachers (English, French and German) as well as teachers specifically trained to teach in the TTO stream thus creating a highly motivated team to ensure the success of pupils who take up the challenge.

What kind pupils enroll in our TTO stream?

The TTO stream at Dalton Den Haag attracts highly motivated and talented students. Students are required to take entrance tests and must prove that they are capable and willing to take on the full demands of both VWO and TTO education. Some are also gymnasium students. It goes without saying that that this extra workload places higher demands on TTO pupils but also
offers outstanding rewards.

The TTO stream is only available to students at VWO level.

The Lower-Secondary School (Onderbouw)

In the junior programme, (years 1 through 3), more than 50% of all subjects are taught in English by specially trained TTO teachers. For these subjects all books and resources are in English, either from English publishers or as special Dutch translations. English itself is taught by a native speaker and pupils have three lessons and one Dalton hour a week. In the
first year the pupils receive six months of intensive English, attending four lessons a week, which allows for rapid adaptation to English. All lower-secondary pupils receive a grade on their reports for Use of English which is awarded by all TTO teachers based on a pupil’s attitude and diligence in advancing their various English skills in the classroom and for assignments
and homework.

In the lower-secondary school, the following subjects are taught in English:

• English (3 years)
• History (3 years)
• Geography (3 years)
• Biology (2 years)
• Mathematics (3 years)
• Physics (2 years)
• Chemistry (1 year)
• Drama (1 year)
• Physical Education (3 years)
• Music (2 years)
• Economics (1 year)

The Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)

In December of the fourth year all TTO students sit the CAE examination, which provides academic closure to the lower-secondary programme and provides an external assessment of their progress in English. The examination is preceded by a year-long, preparatory course, given by the English teacher, which is started in October of their third year. For more information on the CAE see Cambridge University’s website.

The Senior-Secondary School (Bovenbouw)

In the senior-secondary (grades 4 to 6) students enter the final phase of their VWO studies. They choose different subject clusters and are prepared for their final exams. TTO students once more have extra English and the IB English Language A2 Certificate is taken in years five and six. TTO students also write the central VWO examination (including VWO English).

Subjects/elements taught in English are:

• English (extra classes)
• Cambridge-Certificate in Advanced English (year 4)
• International Baccalaureate English A2 certificate (year 6)
• Science for Public Understanding (year 4)
• Global Studies (year 5)
• Cluster Projects and theses (year 6)
• Physical Education

The International Baccalaureate English A2 Certificate

The IB English A2 programme is taught in years 5 and 6. The course is monitored by the International Baccalaureate Organisation  which also sets and marks all externally assessed components and the final examinations.

Naturally all students need to be prepared for the Dutch central examinations, which is why there is a return to Dutch teaching for many of their main subjects. There are, however, plenty of other opportunities for TTO students to produce work in English and to have this guided by TTO teachers who are trained to teach in English.

TTO qualifications

In addition to the VWO diploma that all students receive on successful completion of their studies, TTO students also sit the following examinations for which they will receive certificates:

• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English – taken in year 4

• International Baccalaureate English A2 Certificate – taken in year 6

• Senior TTO certificate – issued by the European Platform in recognition of their efforts throughout the 6 year programme

The CAE and IB certificates are internationally accepted atall major universities and educational institutions and provide exemption from English entrance requirements at those institutions. Many job advertisements at businesses today require the applicants to hold these qualifications.

Furthermore, many universities and colleges, even in non-English speaking countries, now offer their courses in English and require students to be able to read, write and speak English at a high level of accuracy and fluency. This is certainly the case for post-graduate studies.

It is clear from all this that TTO students have an enormous advantage over their contemporaries in their post-school careers!

Extra-curricular TTO Activities

Throughout their school careers at the Dalton, TTO Students are involved in a variety of additional activities that are aimed at
stimulating their knowledge of English and to expose them to culture and the Arts. Awareness of Europe and Internationalisation is high on the agenda.

The following activities are just some of the many TTO events we organise at the school:

• High Tea
• Trip to England
• Trip to Scotland
• Exchange programme with an English school (where
  possible)
• Phileas Fogg Theatre workshops
• British Comedy Night and workshops
• Visits to International businesses and organisations
• Additional subject-based activities

Click here for a survey of the latest TTO-activities.

Enrolling for TTO at Dalton Den Haag

All TTO applicants need to apply using a separate TTO form which is obtainable from the school’s administration. The school holds an annual Open Day which in January on which information about the school in general and TTO in particular is available. Enrolment forms and detailed instructions for admittance tests are also obtainable. It is advisable that
prospective pupils and parents try to attend this event. For actual dates see our home page after the Christmas holidays.

• All applicants need to prove their ability to study at VWO level (Cito of 545 or more or NIO test with VWO prognosis)

• Access to primary school records for 1st grade admittance

• Access to reports of previous schools in the case of enrolment to 2nd grade and up

• Admittance tests for 1st grade applicants are held a few weeks after our Open Day. Exact dates will be available off the school’s home page after the Christmas recess.

• Admittance is subject to class sizes

• International students are admitted on an individual assessment basis.

For more information contact Mr. L.Raubenheimer
International students are advised to note that most successful applicants have some Dutch background (Dutch parents/previous Dutch primary schooling/Dutch education abroad). Applicants with no previous Dutch experience wishing to enrol for 3rd grade or upward are discouraged from doing so.

TTO school fees

To cover the expense of the extra teaching and activities that TTO offers, parents are asked to pay an annual fee of approximately €450. Fees are subject to changes.

For more information contact: Mr. L.Raubenheimer (IB/TTO co-ordinator) or the school’s management.