We had a look inside Amsterdam’s most social English language school: here’s what we loved about it

From vibes to course content 📖

Located in Amsterdam Oost, MixTree Languages has been steadily growing its community for more than a decade.

It began in 2015, when one of MixTree founders Susanna, an expat herself, started running themed meetups for expats and realised how few affordable English courses were available for internationals.

She set out to build something practical: a school that prioritised speaking from day one.

Today, that aim remains unchanged. MixTree Languages focuses on providing a warm, social, and accessible learning environment where adults can build confidence in English and use it in real, everyday situations.

A friendly international community, from day one

When we walked into MixTree Languages, we quickly saw that this isn’t your average language school. It’s a multicultural space where students are genuinely excited to show up.

female-students-sitting-in-english-class
MixTree Languages is more than just a school. Image: MixTree Languages/Supplied

The school has built its reputation on creating a positive and safe learning environment where everyone can practise speaking in small groups without fear of embarrassment. 

The proof? They’ve earned an impressive 4.9 stars on Google Reviews from over 260 students.

Beyond the classroom, there’s a dedicated canteen where students can study and socialise with fellow internationals (or just enjoy a cup of coffee that isn’t overpriced). 

Stop cramming, start chatting

If you’ve spent your time memorising vocabulary but still panic when ordering coffee, MixTree Languages’ approach will feel refreshingly different. 

Here, speaking isn’t just part of the lesson. It’s what the lessons are built around.

The unique “Activate Your English” approach puts conversation at the heart of everything. Boring grammar exercises? Forget it. Instead, you’ll be focusing on pair work, discussions, presentations, and role plays.

students in english language class
Students at MixTree Languages focus on speaking above all else. Image: MixTree Languages/Supplied

And honestly, what’s better than practising the things you’ll actually be using in your day to day life as an expat in the Netherlands?

There are CELTA and DELTA qualified teachers to personally guide you through the whole process in a way that helps you step out of your comfort zone and try new things. 

Every teacher at MixTree Languages has at least five years of international experience under their belt, bringing a wide variety of perspectives and cultural understanding, and is a native or bilingual English speaker. 

Get real-life practice beyond the classroom

When the class is over, MixTree Languages stays true to its mission of offering a social and engaging learning environment. 

Every Wednesday, a conversation cafe is held between 1 PM and 3 PM in the school canteen, where students can invite family and friends. 

On top of that, students can enjoy a language exchange which is organised two times per month on a Tuesday at Marina iDock or at Meet Berlage in collaboration with the Amsterdam International Community.

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The canteen is a social space for students to meet up and work on their assignments. Image: DutchReview/Supplied

These informal gatherings are perfect for building confidence, testing out what you’ve learnt, and meeting new people, all while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of a proper social event rather than a formal lesson.

What courses can I take?

MixTree Languages offers a solid range of courses to fit different schedules and goals. Whether you’re a busy professional or looking for true language immersion, there’s something that’ll work for everyone.

From semi-intensive to intensive: in-person group classes

MixTree Languages’ in-person group classes come in different formats to match your preferred learning style and availability.

Morning semi-intensive courses are ideal for steady progress without overwhelming your schedule. They run twice a week over six weeks (30 hours total) at a more relaxed pace and cover levels from Elementary A2 through to Advanced C1.

Intensive courses run four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) over just four weeks, packing in 40 hours of classroom time. Available for levels Pre-Intermediate A2, B1, and B2, these are designed for students ready to dedicate serious time to rapid improvement.

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Work with the latest materials. Image: DutchReview/Supplied

Complete beginners are not forgotten either. The English for beginners course runs twice a week over six weeks for a total of 24 hours.

All in-person classes are capped at small group sizes (between six to 12 students depending on the course), so you’ll get plenty of speaking time and personalised attention.

Ready to level up your English? The next series of courses at MixTree Languages start on February 9, 2026. Check out the schedule for more details.

Need flexibility? Check out the online options

Can’t make it to central Amsterdam? MixTree Languages’ online evening courses run via Zoom twice a week (24 hours over six weeks), covering levels A2, B1, B2, and C1.

The advanced (C1) course is specifically designed to help students express themselves with ease and eloquence, working on communication skills, pronunciation, as well as vocabulary.

The online classes maintain the same interactive, conversation-focused approach — just from wherever you happen to be.

Private or in-company company course? MixTree Languages has you covered

Looking for something more tailored? MixTree Languages offers private lessons and company courses designed around your specific needs.

Private courses, available both in person and online, give you one-on-one attention, custom content depending on what you want to improve, and total flexibility in scheduling.

Company courses are perfect for teams looking to improve their English together, whether for presentations, meetings, or general workplace communication.


If you’re ready to finally feel confident speaking English, you can take MixTree Languages’ free English level check and see what course suits you best.

Found the course for you? Great! We wish you luck on your English-learning journey. 

What experience do you have learning English in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image:MixTree Languages
Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
Originally from the Czech Republic, Jana moved to the Netherlands for her studies. Seven years in the flattest country in Europe has brought her a Masters in Environmental Management, experience in content creation, projects, partnership coordination, and about 20 ideas on how to deal with Dutch winter blues (most of which didn’t work). Her love for the local cycling culture is undying — but she finally knows better than to hop on a bike in a typical Dutch downpour.

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