About us
Our principles
TaalTafels was founded by Peter Wortelboer in 2018 based on a personal vision with four pillars:
- Language acquisition and integration for highly educated students or people with a high learning profile can be done faster and better.
- Learning Dutch should be fun and varied. TaalTafels has dynamic classes with highly qualified teachers and the groups are diverse due to a mix of refugees, migrant and expats
- Language alone is not enough. That is why the school uses, where ever possible, a broad network to help students with study or work.
- All foreigners also want to build a social network, make friends an find their way in a new and foreign country. TaalTafels tries to make this happen by connecting people through social activities.
Because we have experienced the effects of Covid, we added two important pillars:
- Personal contact is of the utmost importance to learn Dutch. Learning a language is tough and is much easier and faster in lessons on location with personal contact. Moreover it is much, much more fun.
- Self-study is an important part of the language courses at TaalTafels and largely determines the progress of each student. Some work at home a lot and learn faster. Some have too little time to study at home. Therefore we make it possible to switch to a higher or lower group or even follow lessons at two different levels at the same time.
Living room setting
Who wants to sit in a boring classroom?
TaalTafels is located on the ground floor of a storehouse at the Van Speijkstraat 234, Zeeheldenkwartier, The Hague.
We especially like the classroom because it is charming and cosy. We have created a living room setting where everyone can feel at home.
There is only one classroom, so don’t just drop by for an intake, but make an appointment please!
The first time you arrive, TaalTafels can be difficult to find. The storehouse is located behind a parking place from paint shop Bierens. But… the classroom more than makes up for it!
Our team
Lukas van Diermen
LINGUIST AND NT2 TEACHER
Lukas has been director and teacher at TaalTafels since he took over the school from Peter Wortelboer in January 2026. He is a linguist with a master’s degree in conflict studies and human rights. He has studied and worked in Portugal, Brazil and Brussels, after which he started working in the Netherlands as an NT2 teacher. Within language education, his interest and passion lie above all in intercultural communication and providing the tools to enable students to tell their own story. At TaalTafels, Lukas teaches NT2 classes at all levels. In addition to Dutch and English, Lukas also speaks Portuguese, French, German, Romanian and Arabic. In his spare time, he is learning Spanish and Russian.
Peter Wortelboer
Teacher of Dutch and NT2 teacher
Marty Smit
DOCENTE FRANS EN NT2
Marty has been co-founder and director of De Vrije Ruimte, a school for democratic education for primary and secondary school students, since 2007. Before that, she worked for over ten years as a French teacher in regular secondary education. In addition to her life’s work at De Vrije Ruimte, Marty works as a freelance certified NT2 teacher at TaalTafels.
Ariëtta van Olphen
Docente muziek en NT2
Ariëtta has experience as a music teacher, primary school teacher, and Dutch language instructor. She has lived and worked in Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and Poland, and has always been interested in other cultures. As a language teacher, she often tries to incorporate music into her lessons, as it not only enhances language skills but also fosters connection and creates a warm, enjoyable atmosphere. Arietta is a certified NT2 teacher and teaches Dutch up to C1 level at Erasmus University, VU University, TaalTafels, and various companies
Angélique Strobbe
BACK OFFICE
In addition to being an NT2 teacher, Roos is a theatre maker with a Bachelor’s degree in playwriting. As a poet, she has performed her work on various stages throughout the Netherlands and founded a digital theatre platform. In her free time, she enjoys playing music. In her teaching, human connection and mutual learning are central to her approach. Roos teaches NT2 classes at Capabel Taal and at TaalTafels and is a certified NT2 instructor.
Ilse Wortelboer
BACK OFFICE
Ilse is an organizational consultant for the Dutch government. Alongside her job, she manages the back office of TaalTafels. She ensures that the administration meets the requirements of DUO and Blik op Werk. In addition, she gladly uses her experience and network to support students whenever possible.
Danil Melnikov
webmaster
Danil is an all-rounder with a wide range of interests: from web development and data work to linocuts and gemstone cutting. He is committed to the cause of newcomers and works with Ukrainian refugees in North and South Holland.