Intensive courses
Maas-Rhine School specialises in intensive language courses.
Language is communication, and whatever your reason for wanting to improve your communication skills – whether it’s for work, migration, love or any other special circumstance – Maas-Rhine School helps everyone get off to a flying start with a tailor-made weekly programme.
‘Intensive’ means that participants are expected to put in the effort; there are plenty of contact hours with an experienced teacher, who, following an introductory interview, will know exactly how to help you achieve your desired results. In addition, there is a portion of homework to complete every evening.
Of course, it’s not just about dry theory, grammar and vocabulary; we ensure variety and, depending on your goal, the programme incorporates practical exercises tailored to your individual needs across all language skills.
We aim to make learning a language as enjoyable as possible. After all, learning a language is great fun! Our team knows better than anyone how to convey this to our participants.
Our intensive language courses take place at Rolduc Abbey in Kerkrade, a four-minute walk from the border with Herzogenrath in Germany.
Rolduc is ideal for a week-long residential stay, combining study, work, dining and daily life. You’ll stay in a comfortable room, and during the day lessons take place in one of the halls within the Abbey complex. There is a brasserie which serves breakfast, lunch and, if desired, dinner as well.
Outside the Abbey, there is plenty of space for walking and relaxation. Aachen and Herzogenrath are nearby, and there is something for everyone in Kerkrade, Heerlen and the other towns of Parkstad in South Limburg. You’re welcome to extend your stay by a weekend to visit Gaia Zoo, Mondo Verde World Gardens, Aachen’s old town, the Mining Museum and the Roman Museum in Heerlen, or take a ride on the steam train along the Miljoenenlijn – to name but a few of the possibilities.
Weekly programme for the intensive language course at Maas-Rhine School in brief:
You are expected at Rolduc Abbey at 9 am on Monday, after which lessons begin at 10 am.
After lunch, there is an hour’s break to let the morning’s lessons sink in. This is followed by a few more hours of lessons until 5 pm. After dinner, there is time for a short special lesson and for homework.
On the other days, lessons run from 9 am to 5 pm, with plenty of breaks, of course, and are organised in such a way that the time will fly by.On Fridays, there are lessons in the morning, followed by a debriefing over the closing lunch. The programme ends at 2 pm.
Whatever your goal, there’s a good chance you’ll succeed with the ‘Paters van Parkstad’!
The abbey was founded in the year 1104 by Ailbertus of Antoing, a clergyman. It began as a small wooden chapel, which was replaced by a small stone building just a few years later. Over the centuries, more and more structures were added, and the abbey grew into the immense complex it is today.
The land surrounding the abbey is partly leased out as farmland. The majority of it is a nature reserve. Here, visitors can walk through the woods and there is a small animal park, home to deer, goats, geese, ducks and chickens. The ponds also hold a certain appeal.
Following a long history, the major seminary of the Diocese of Roermond has been based here since 1974. In 1985, there were over 80 seminarians. By the time of its 40th anniversary in 2014, the major seminary had produced some 300 priests, including six bishops, one of whom was a cardinal.
Following the restoration of the buildings, Rolduc was opened in 1970 as a centre for education, conferences and cultural events. From 1974 to 1995, the abbey complex housed the mining collection of the Erenstein Castle Regional Museum. In 1995, the collection moved to the Industrion, now known as the Discovery Museum.
Until 2011, the outbuildings also housed Rolduc College, part of the Charlemagne College school group.
Currently, part of the buildings is used as a hotel. The conference centre can accommodate 300 guests. In addition, the Rolduc Major Seminary occupies part of the abbey complex.