Una Paloma Blanca - Language Hub

Frequently asked questions

Can Una Paloma Blanca sponsor me for a visa?

Unfortunately, no. However, we would love for you to come and learn with us, so once you’ve enrolled onto a course, we can provide you with a document which states that you will be learning with us, the duration of your course and the amount you’ve paid for the course. This can be used in support of a visa application.

Do you issue certificates?

Yes! Una Paloma Blanca issues two types of certificates. The first is a certificate of participation - this shows the course you took and the duration of the course. We also offer a certificate of achievement - for this, the student will need to take part in a certification lesson with a teacher at an extra cost of €75,- for the session and certificate.
As we are a CRKBO registered school, our certificate of achievement can be used as proof of training.

What is the difference between a regular and efficient group course?

A regular group course is 12 lessons of 1.5 hours. The lessons are once a week, so the total number of weeks will be 12 weeks.
An efficient group course is 10 lessons of 1.5 hours. The lessons are twice a week, so the total number of weeks is 5/6 weeks.

How many private lessons can I book?

Private lessons can be booked at your discretion. However, we usually sell them in blocks of 10 so we can work on long-term goals and devise a study plan together.

How much self-study will I need to do?

Of course, learning a language takes time and a lot of effort. Our teachers will not only provide effective and challenging lessons, but they will also provide you with lots of extra resources to get stuck into yourself. Self-study can make your level soar, so it definitely is recommended, the length of time is up to you. We do give homework, of course!

Your language school looks fun, but does it work?

We believe learning a language should feel like you are opening your mind, rather than overworking it! Our teachers are a creative bunch, they make the lessons as interactive and joyful as possible. But of course, they are trained professionals who know what they’re doing! If you have a goal, we’ll help get you there.

I see the course price, what does that include?

To follow a course at Una Paloma Blanca, you need two things - the course, and material. The price you see is for the course, and our study books are sold for an additional fee, please check which fee applies to your study material.

How do I enroll on a course?

After you’ve found the perfect course and level, our admin will add you to the class and send an invoice to your given email address. Once this invoice is paid, the enrollment is complete, and then we can send your materials to you.

How do I know my level?

At UPB, we offer level placement lessons at 59 EUR for an hour. During this placement lesson, you will work with one of our native teachers, who will test your language skills to see which level would be perfect for you.
If you have already followed a course in that language, you could present your certificate as proof that you’ve achieved a certain level.
With private courses, a placement test is done in the first lesson so the teacher knows the areas to work on.

Can I stop my lessons when I have started a course?

It is possible to pause your private/duo lessons, however we ask that you complete your course private/duo course within 3 months. After 12 months, outstanding private/duo lessons are no longer valid and can not be refunded.
For group lessons, if you are going to be absent from more than 2 - contact us and we can discuss enrolling you on a future course. You will have to pay for the additional lessons when starting a new course.
If you would like to stop them completely, of course you may do this, however payment for the lessons must still be made and/or will not be refunded.

Can I cancel my enrollment?

After enrolling onto a course, you have 2 week’s ‘breathing time, within which you can cancel your enrollment with us unless your course starts within the 2 week period. Once your course has started you can still cancel your enrollment but you will have to pay for the full course. Consult our terms and conditions for more information.
After the two weeks or after your course has started you can still cancel your enrollment. However, you will not be refunded (fully). Please consult our general terms and conditions for details.

How do I cancel my enrollment?

You can cancel your enrollment by emailing the admin office. State in your email: Your name, the course you enrolled for and possible additional information. Our email address is info@unapalomablanca.com You are free to cancel your enrollment at any time. However, in the case of late cancellation or when the course has already started our terms and conditions do apply. Consult them for the details regarding refunds and cancellations.

What if I can't attend my group lesson?

We understand that sometimes life gets in the way of learning, and so if you do need to miss a class, please inform either your teacher (if you have their contact details) or send an email to our admin team.

What do lessons on site cost?

The price for lessons on-site will differ slightly. We would need to calculate the distance the teacher travels from the school, and once calculated, the fee will be added to the amount before enrollment on to a course.

Does UPB also work with business clients?

Yes! UPB works with companies both on-site and in our centres, offering language courses of all levels, for a wide range of responsibilities. We have packages available for small, medium and large groups. Tell us what you need and we can build a program.

How long can I take to finish my private/duo course?

We ask that private and DUO courses are completed within 3 months - this gives you the flexibility to arrange your lessons as frequently as you like, suitable to your schedule.

Can I get a refund?

Yes you can get a refund if you cancel your enrollment within two weeks. After these two weeks you are entitled to a partial refund. Once your course has started we do not refund any funds except for unused study materials. Please consult our general terms and conditions for details regarding refunds.

Do I get the same teacher every time?

At UPB we think consistency is key to effective learning, so our courses are planned mostly with one teacher. Sometimes, if a course is quite intensive, or if it is a large group, it is possible that 2 teachers will conduct the course.

Does UPB have the option for payments by DUO?

Unfortunately, payment by DUO is not available at UPB.

Can I do inburgering training at UPB?

Yes! We would recommend doing a private course, this way we could work directly with your goals to help you prepare for the inburgering. At the moment, we don’t have inburgering specific group courses.

Do I have to bring anything to attend my lessons?

A notebook, a pen, the book and an open mind should do the trick!

What terms and conditions apply on my course?

All terms can be found via this link. If there are any questions, don't hesitate to contact us!

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Word on the street

  • Casper

    16-02-2023

    Because I work in a department where English skills are very important to communicate with clients, I decided to follow a private intensive English course where I could quickly brush up my English knowledge and bring my writing and speaking skills to a C1 level. I liked most that the team of teacherRead mores immediately understood my needs and they focused on my preferences helping me achieving my goals in no time.Read less

  • Varvara

    04-02-2023

    Rotterdam

    I’m writing to thank you very much for the course you’ve organised for Egor. I was really surprised when, firstly, he agreed to do something like that on holiday, secondly, when after the first day with you he wasn’t incredibly tired as I would have expected, on the contrary, very excited. WheRead moren you asked us to speak only English during the week, I thought, ok, we’ll see! 😊 But, in fact, every time when I being forgetful say something in Russian, Egor says: “I’m sorry, Mum, I don’t understand you!” Moreover, in the evening on Monday he asked me to help him with his homework! What have you done?! 😊 How could you manage?! 😊 He never does his homework at school, maybe, during the break time before the lesson starts if the teacher is strict enough! 😊 I’m really impressed by the teaching skills of you! Thank you very much! It’s very important for me. I’ve wanted to introduce Egor to this kind of studying for a long time. He’s been never interested until now. As I told you, I’ve done a lot of language courses in England. I love it, I miss it very much. I’m happy that Egor seems to like it too. I think that in spite of the fact he’s doing a short course he’s going to have a great breakthrough in his English studies.Read less

  • Arianna

    06-02-2023

    I had already a very good English level before I got lessons from the teachers of Una Paloma Blanca, but after following the Business English Program at the language school, I noticed my confidence with the language increased quite a lot, specially when it came to speeches and team presentations. ThRead moreank you very much for all your help!Read less

  • Raluca

    16-11-2022

    Speaking is always the most challenging part of any new language, and with Dutch it feels even more difficult for me personally... I just can't gather the courage to try and verbalise sentences, but I am aware it’s maybe the most important part of becoming fluent. That’s what I most appreciate iRead moren our teacher at Una Paloma Blanca - however broken we may speak, she's always encouraging, fun and has a friendly, empathetic way of correcting us. That’s highly important to keep the motivation going and practice even outside the group, in real life.Read less

  • Chetna

    30-08-2022

    Eindhoven

    Being a marketer in a foreign country comes with its own set of challenges. Knowing the local language is not just a plus but a prerequisite. Hence, soon after I arrived in the Netherlands, I started my hunt for a language class. After scouting for days, I stumbled upon Una Paloma Blanca’s creativRead moree website. A couple of email conversations later, I found myself at their Eindhoven facility. I loved the vibe and decided to give it a shot. Soon after, it became a home away from home for me as I formed instant friendships within my group. Their one-of-a-kind learning material (an illustrative book that you would not want to put down) and immersive lessons helped me learn the language quicker than I had anticipated. Furthermore, it aided my understanding of the cultural nuances in the Dutch society that gave me an edge in interviews and formal conversations. I cannot thank my teacher enough (who went above and beyond every time) for her constant motivation and support. To all the fellow expats looking for a fun way to learn Dutch, I say go for it!Read less

  • Erick

    09-08-2022

    Learning a new language is challenging and Dutch is no different. Learning how to speak confidently and have day to day conversations in Dutch as an expat is challenging. During the summer course what I liked the most was that we focused on the message we were trying to convey and how to properly saRead morey it instead of only correcting us. The balance between study material and outside activities makes the course not feel as intensive and actually makes it fun. The teachers also did a good job encouraging us and motivating us into starting conversations. For anyone looking to improve their vocabulary and gain confidence in conversing in Dutch I really recommend Una Paloma Blanca’s summer courses.Read less

  • Oana

    11-04-2023

    Eindhoven

    Learning Dutch is hard enough, but without the right, dedicated teacher, it would be impossible for someone to learn. I have been studying at Una Paloma Blanca for almost 3 years. I find spoken Dutch the most difficult part, because the Dutch people have a certain accent which is not easy to learn. Read moreHowever, the teachers are so nice at this school and they encourage you to practice every time even if you don't speak perfectly... and basically, this is the whole point of following a Dutch course.... TO LEARN! This is what I always appreciate about my teacher: her teaching style, the way of explaining grammar to me, the empathy that she always shows me (not only to my broken speech). My teacher makes me feel part of this family. It is highly important to have the right teacher for your needs, who knows how to keep you motivated in this process of learning a new language all while integrating into Dutch society. Read less

  • Jorge González

    10-04-2023

    Eindhoven

    I love the flexibility of UPB, how supportive the teachers and workers are and how easy they made it to learn a new language. They are helping me a lot with my difficulties learning Dutch and allowing me to communicate with people in fluent Dutch.

  • Bruno

    07-04-2023

    Rotterdam

    As polyglot, learning languages is my main hobby and for that reason I am always looking for the best teachers to boost my language skills! When I moved to my new life in Rotterdam I was so happy to see that there was a language academy just 3 minutes away from my house with all my languages, even Read moreRussian! I made a good decision in trusting Una Paloma Blanca to take my Dutch and Russian to the next level and the results are amazing: Currently I am able to work in Dutch and I can handle conversations in Russian Read less

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Find out what our students say about us! And if you've ever been a student of ours we would love it if you would share your experience with us and we will post it here. Share your thoughts!

Eindhoven

UNA PALOMA BLANCA is a 10 minute walk from Eindhoven Central Station.

GASHOUDER 15
5613 CR EINDHOVEN
THE NETHERLANDS

06-57895656
INFO@UNAPALOMABLANCA.COM

Rotterdam

WALENBURGERWEG 3
3039 AA ROTTERDAM
THE NETHERLANDS

06-18944345
ROTTERDAM@UNAPALOMABLANCA.NL

Rotterdam

UNA PALOMA BLANCA is about a 5 minute walk from Rotterdam Central station. A direct tramline stops in front of our office (Tram 25)

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