At Koentact we believe that every person has a beautiful language, culture and life story of his own to share. This way, newcomers can learn from locals and the other way around. Our goal is to connect people and let them share their stories through our language and culture experiences.
Our team is composed of four young professionals who love languages, cultures and making new international friends. We put every effort into making foreigners feel welcome in the Netherlands.
My name is Natascha de Vries and I have been with Koentact since February 2019. In my position as course coordinator, I’m responsible for the contact Koentact has with students. Besides that, I help with the coordination of the open day and the start of the new courses. I join the field trips as Koen’s sidekick and photographer and I’m responsible for the Spreekwoordenwoensdag pictures in which we explain Dutch sayings!
I was born in a village in Noord-Holland and moved to Amsterdam in 2018. I love living and working in Amsterdam, the city has so much to offer. In my free time, I love to dance, travel and get together with friends.
I’ve met a lot of different people since I started working at Koentact. It’s amazing to see so many people progress while learning Dutch!
My name is Paulina Albrecht and I am the financial and group course coordinator at Koentact. Together with my colleagues, I am also responsible for planning and organising all kinds of events, such as the Open Day and other activities for everyone interested in learning Dutch!
I was born and raised in Germany and moved to Amsterdam in 2020. I think it only took me a few weeks to fall in love with the city and I am more than happy to call Amsterdam my home. Over the past few years, I have met a lot of fun and interesting people and I am excited to see what the future has in store for me.
I have been working for Koentact since 2022 and I am very lucky to have such a great team and working environment around me. If you have any questions about a payment or an invoice, feel free to contact me! I am also still working on my Dutch skills, so you might see me in one of the classes as your fellow student. Tot gauw!
My name is Petty van Katwijk and I have been working at Koentact since May 2024 as Private program and level assessment coordinator. I am responsible for the private as well as the incompany courses and together with my colleagues I will coordinate all other activities such as open days and field trips.
I studied International Business and Languages and worked for several national and international companies. Since 2017 I am also a certified teacher of Dutch as a second language. Ever since I have been combining my daytime job with my work as freelance teacher.
I was born and raised in a small village in Noord-Brabant but moved to Amsterdam in 2012. As I am passionate about languages and other cultures, Amsterdam is the perfect place to live. Even after 12 years I still enjoy to get around on my bike and to discover new areas of the city. In my free time you can find me on the dance floor dancing salsa, making long hikes in the beautiful nature of the Netherlands or exploring new restaurants and bars.
I am looking forward to meeting you at our Open Day or on a field trip!
My name is Koen Gijzel and I am the founder of Koentact. I studied French and Dutch linguistics in Amsterdam and Paris, and started Koentact in 2009. I was born in Utrecht and I have been living in Amsterdam since 2003, still passionately support my home football team FC Utrecht though!
In September 2009, thanks to the positive word-of-mouth marketing of my French students, Air France KLM employees wanted to follow a Dutch Course with me. This was the best reference I could wish for, and I was highly motivated to put all my energy into building Koentact Language School.
Today, Koentact has an office in the city center of Amsterdam, consists of a professional staff of four young professionals and many well-qualified and enthusiastic teachers. Together we offer a wide range of Dutch language courses and activities for internationals from all over the world.
Thanks to the personal approach of our staff and teachers, our practical and social approach to language learning and never-ending energy, students do not only learn Dutch at Koentact, but they also have lots of fun, make many new friends and experience the real Dutch culture. Let’s meet soon!
I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many wonderful and interesting people and I love connecting those people to each other. In my opinion learning Dutch is actually the perfect excuse for internationals to simply enjoy themselves, network and meet new people in Amsterdam.
See you soon!
My name is Timo Bruinsma and I’m responsible for the financial, legal and strategy aspects at Koentact. I studied Business Studies and Psychology in Amsterdam, but I was born in Limburg, which is the most southern province of the Netherlands.
Taking pride in my southern background, I’m quite a ‘bon-vivant’ and I love a good glass of Scotch. Besides my own culture, I love the American culture, especially American sports and late night shows. So yes, I did follow the Super Bowl in the middle of the night!
I enjoy working in a small team and Koentact’s international environment suits me perfectly. For me it’s very inspiring to meet all those internationals who have their personal stories and reasons why they have moved to the Netherlands.
If you have any questions for example about getting an invoice for your company, you can always send me an email.
Work hard, play hard!
When foreign students or immigrants decide to learn Dutch, they generally do so to feel more at home here, both personally and professionally. This ‘feeling at home’ can best be achieved by discovering non-tourist locations in the city and meeting local people to learn about the different cultural habits. Of course, it’s also just plain fun to interact with other expats, who have had similar experiences abroad. At Koentact, we believe that our way of teaching Dutch will change the way you think and feel about the Netherlands.
Learning a language should be fun! After a hard day’s work the last thing you want to do is learn a language from a dull grammar book. However, if you go to a class, knowing that you can apply your Dutch lessons during a fun, out-of-the-classroom field trip that will help you discover your city, meet local people, and have fun with your international classmates, you will be much more motivated. One of our students said in her survey: ‘You guys make learning Dutch a hobby!’ Another student said: ‘I met so many nice new people; it was like reliving my Erasmus programme.’ This is exactly what Koentact is all about!
In September 2009, Koen decided to start his own language school. Koen: ”Thanks to the positive word-of-mouth marketing of my French students, Air France KLM employees wanted to follow a Dutch Course with me. This was the best reference I could wish for, and I was highly motivated to put all my energy into building Koentact Language School.”
Today, Koentact has an office in the city center of Amsterdam, consists of a professional staff of young professionals and many well-qualified and enthusiastic teachers. Together we offer a wide range of Dutch language courses and activities for internationals from all over the world.
Thanks to the personal approach of our staff and teachers, our practical and social approach to language learning and never-ending energy, students do not only learn Dutch at Koentact, but they also have lots of fun, make many new friends and experience the real Dutch culture. ”Let’s meet soon!”
At Koentact, we believe that learning a language works best when both students and teachers are actively involved. Our courses are built on interaction, motivation, and a shared commitment to learning.
On this page, you’ll find what you can expect from us, and what we expect from you. This way, we create a positive, engaging learning environment where everyone can grow, feel comfortable, and enjoy the process of learning Dutch together.
House & job sorted? Click Here to download Koentact’s free feel-at-home e-book!
