FOR COA

Connecting communities

Already thriving at multiple COA locations, the English for All programme brings confidence, agency and connection to asylum seekers awaiting residency decisions. We provide a safe and low-pressure environment for our students to learn English, while keeping the administrative burden on the COA team to a minimum.

Learn more about us →

Are you open to expand our current collaboration or introduce our programme to a new COA location? Get in touch with Zoey Breslar via +31 6 13 06 79 49 or zbreslar@gmail.com to discuss how we can integrate into your activity schedule.

Our current locations

We are currently teaching between one and three weekly classes at each of these COA-run AZC's and Emergency Centres:

📍 Wassenaar📍 Leiden📍 Leiden Antoniuskerk📍 Leiderdorp 📍 Den Haag📍 Rotterdam Schiehaven📍 Rotterdam Parkhaven📍 Capelle aan den IJssel

A flexible, high-impact model

Our model is customised for teaching English to the residents of COA centres, working within the needs and schedules of COA and the students themselves.

💙 Volunteer managementWe recruit, vet, onboard, and schedule all volunteers. Peer-led coordination groups guarantee seamless class coverage with minimal administrative work for the COA team.

💙 Drop-in lessons Our curriculum is designed for standalone sessions, so fluctuating attendance or shifting resident numbers never interrupt the learning flow.

💙 Easy scheduling 1.5-hour sessions can run any day of the week to easily avoid conflicting with Dutch courses or other centre activities on the COA calendar.

💙 Everyone is welcomeWe accommodate large or small groups, welcoming everyone regardless of their current literacy or English levels.

A safe & welcoming learning space

While our team is made up of volunteers with diverse backgrounds, we prepare everyone with a foundational understanding of trauma awareness and safeguarding.Our focus is on simple kindness and mutual respect, ensuring that everyone feels secure and in control of how they participate in a lesson. To build on this connection, we also host social events like movie nights or dinners, and takes language learning outside the classroom with occasional trips.

The difference we make

Our programme has proven beneficial for our students in three core areas:

Learning a language that will be useful for life in the Netherlands and beyond
Structure on class days when other activities are limited
Meeting new people from inside and outside the centre and being part of a warm and supportive community

Q4 2025 across 4 locations = 1100 student hours + 750 volunteer hours

English for All is more than just an English class — it is a place where people feel welcomed, respected, and supported. The lessons help asylum seekers communicate better in daily life and open new opportunities for integration and personal development. I’m very grateful for the positive impact this initiative has on our community.— Omar, COA

I sincerely thank the COA managers and staff for providing these opportunities for us. We are truly very lucky here because many other camps do not have such facilities. I wholeheartedly thank them for the support they give us and for valuing us so much.— Mehmet, Student

Simple requirements

While our programme requires very little effort from the COA team, we do ask for enthusiasm and commitment from the COA leadership, alongside basic support in the following areas:

One or two consistent weekly classrooms (ideally same day/time) equipped with tables, chairs, a whiteboard, and — if possible — an internet-connected television.

Support advertising classes to students, encouraging attendance, and a designated COA contact person for the English for All team to keep everything running smoothly.

Class scheduling that avoids conflicts with Dutch courses, volunteer access to toilets, free use of photocopier /printer, and occasional collaboration for community events.

Are you an organisation or expert working with asylum seekers and open to collaborate? Click here for more information.

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