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Parents and carers at A1–B1 Dutch meeting a primary-school teacher in the Netherlands · NL

Dutch for a primary-school parent–teacher meeting

A short oudergesprek is easier when you bring two questions and leave with one concrete follow-up. Ask for examples rather than trying to discuss every subject at once. The guide uses neutral classroom language and does not judge a child's learning or support needs.

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Published 10 Sept 2026 · Editor: Flalingo

Read it once. Then take one role.

A complete Dutch exchange

Asking about participation

Many schools use first names and je, but follow the teacher's lead. Ask a broad question, then request one example.

Ouder

Hoe gaat het met Noor in de klas?

How is Noor doing in class?

Leerkracht

Ze werkt goed mee, maar in de kring zegt ze nog niet zo veel.

She participates well, but she does not say very much in circle time yet.

Ouder

Kun je een voorbeeld geven van een moment waarop ze wel iets zegt?

Can you give an example of a moment when she does say something?

Leerkracht

In een klein groepje vertelt ze graag over wat ze heeft gemaakt.

In a small group she likes to talk about what she has made.

Ouder

Wat helpt haar om mee te doen?

What helps her to participate?

Leerkracht

Vooraf weten welke vraag komt, helpt vaak.

Knowing in advance which question is coming often helps.

Notice: Hoe gaat het met …? invites a broad picture. Follow with an example so words such as goed become observable.

Agreeing a follow-up

Summarise what you heard and agree what school and home will each try.

Leerkracht

We oefenen de komende weken extra met lezen.

We will practise reading more over the coming weeks.

Ouder

Wat oefenen jullie precies op school?

What exactly are you practising at school?

Leerkracht

Vooral korte woorden en hardop lezen.

Mainly short words and reading aloud.

Ouder

Wat kunnen wij thuis op een rustige manier doen?

What can we do at home in a calm way?

Leerkracht

Tien minuten samen lezen is genoeg. Ik stuur een boekenlijst.

Ten minutes of reading together is enough. I will send a book list.

Ouder

Goed. Zullen we over drie weken kort bespreken hoe het gaat?

Good. Shall we briefly discuss how it is going in three weeks?

Notice: Wat kunnen wij thuis doen? asks for a manageable contribution. Repeat the follow-up interval before leaving.

Keep the structure. Change the detail.

Useful phrases

Hoe gaat het met … in de klas?

How is … doing in class?

Use the child's name.

Kun je daar een voorbeeld van geven?

Can you give an example of that?

Use kunt u if the relationship is formal.

Wat gaat al goed?

What is already going well?

A focused positive question.

Wat vindt … nog moeilijk?

What does … still find difficult?

Nog frames it as current, not permanent.

Wat kunnen we thuis oefenen?

What can we practise at home?

Ask for something small and clear.

Wanneer bespreken we dit opnieuw?

When will we discuss this again?

Turns a general plan into a follow-up.

Repair the sentence

Common mistakes and clearer alternatives

Avoid

Hoe is Noor op school?

Use

Hoe gaat het met Noor in de klas?

Hoe gaat het met asks about progress or experience rather than identity.
Avoid

Wat zij kan niet?

Use

Wat vindt zij nog moeilijk?

The corrected question has Dutch word order and sounds less absolute.
Avoid

Wij moeten thuis wat doen?

Use

Wat kunnen wij thuis oefenen?

Kunnen invites a practical suggestion; moeten can sound as if an obligation is already fixed.

Make it fit your situation

Two useful adaptations

A school term is unclear

Wat betekent dat woord hier? Kun je een concreet voorbeeld geven?

What does that word mean here? Can you give a concrete example?

Ask for both meaning and classroom evidence.

You want time to consider

Dank je. Ik wil dit thuis rustig bespreken. Kan ik morgen per e-mail reageren?

Thank you. I want to discuss this calmly at home. Can I respond by email tomorrow?

Do not feel forced to answer a new proposal immediately.

Your turn

Say a version that belongs to you

Prepare a two-question oudergesprek

Choose one broad question and one request for an example, then close with a follow-up.

  1. Say the child's name and one broad question.
  2. Listen to an invented answer and ask for an example.
  3. Summarise: Dus, als ik het goed begrijp …
  4. Ask what school will try and what you can do at home.
  5. Suggest a date or interval to check again.
This exercise does not submit or save your draft.
Self-check after you speak

Common questions

Before you practise

Should I call the teacher juf or meester?

Children often do, but adults may use the teacher's first name. Follow the school's introduction and the teacher's own wording.

What is groep in Dutch primary school?

Primary school is organised into groups, commonly groep 1 through groep 8. Use your child's actual group number.

Can I ask for support in this meeting?

Yes, ask what the teacher observes and what next step the school suggests. Specific support decisions belong with the school and relevant professionals.

Checked context

Sources

  • Primary education

    Checked 10 Sept 2026 · Dutch primary education generally spans eight groups and schools have duties around appropriate education.

  • Appropriate education at primary school

    Checked 10 Sept 2026 · Schools adapt teaching for pupils who need extra assistance and discuss development planning with parents.