Become an internationally qualified Swimming Teacher

 

Would you like to turn your passion for swimming and working with people into a professional qualification?

The ENVOZ Swimming Teacher programme prepares you to independently provide safe, responsible and enjoyable swimming lessons to children and adults.

The programme combines theory, practical training, work experience and personal coaching. This means that you do not only learn what to teach, but especially how people learn to swim and how you can help them progress.

After successfully completing the programme, you will receive the European qualified Swimming Teacher diploma at NLQF/EQF level 3.

 

5 training days • workplace learning • personal coaching • internationally recognised qualification

 

Choose your course

 

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Why become an ENVOZ Swimming Teacher?

A good swimming teacher makes a real difference.

Learning to swim is about much more than learning swimming strokes. As a swimming teacher, you help people become confident, skilled and safe in and around water.

 

During this programme you learn how to:

• teach swimming safely and responsibly;
• work with children and adults at different learning levels;
• understand how people develop swimming skills;
• observe swimmers and recognise technical errors;
• adapt exercises to individual needs;
• prepare structured and purposeful swimming lessons;
• provide effective feedback;
• develop the main swimming strokes;
• guide learners towards independent and safe swimming.

Theory and practice are closely connected throughout the programme.

 

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Internationally recognised qualification

After successfully completing the programme, you receive the ENVOZ diploma European Qualified Swimming Teacher, classified at NLQF level 3 / EQF level 3.

 

The European Qualifications Framework makes qualifications easier to understand and compare across Europe. The ENVOZ Swimming Teacher qualification is classified at level 3 within both the Dutch NLQF and European EQF frameworks. ENVOZ Opleiding Zwemonderwijzer…

The qualification can therefore be clearly positioned within the European qualification structure and is currently communicated by ENVOZ as a level-3 qualification recognised within the framework used across 39 European countries.

 

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Recognition beyond Europe

ENVOZ is a member of the International Federation of Swimming Teachers' Associations – IFSTA.

Through this international cooperation, successful candidates also receive documentation confirming the international recognition of their ENVOZ Swimming Teacher qualification within the IFSTA network.

This gives the qualification value not only in the Netherlands and Europe, but also when working internationally.

 

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Who is this programme for?

This programme is suitable for you if you:

• already work in a swimming pool and want to qualify as a swimming teacher;
• are working as an assistant and want to take the next professional step;
• would like to start a career in swimming education;
• want to obtain a recognised professional swimming-teaching qualification;
• work with an ENVOZ swimming school or swimming organisation.

You do not need to have completed a specific previous vocational programme.

The minimum age at the time of the practical examination is 16 years.

Your own swimming ability must be comparable to the standard of the ENVOZ International Swimming Diploma C.

Before taking the final examination, you must also be able to provide a valid Certificate of Conduct or an equivalent document appropriate to your country and situation. The Dutch VOG requirement is described in the current programme information.

 

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Learn through theory and practice

We believe you become a good swimming teacher by combining knowledge with practical experience.

The programme therefore consists of:

5 contact days – 40 hours
You attend five practical and theoretical training days led by experienced ENVOZ trainers.

Workplace learning / internship – approximately 108 hours
You gain practical experience in a swimming pool, preferably in the organisation where you already work or complete your internship.

Self-study and assignments
Between the contact days you work independently on theory, lesson preparation, assignments, reflection and your portfolio.

The total indicative study load is approximately 240 hours. The complete programme must be completed within one year of the first contact day.

For most participants, the programme is completed within several months by combining training days, workplace learning and self-study.

 

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What will you learn?

Day 1 – The foundations of swimming education

You start with the role of the swimming teacher and the principles of effective swimming education.

Topics include:

• introduction to the profession;
• pedagogy;
• learning to float on the back;
• progressing towards basic backstroke;
• your own swimming ability;
• the four main swimming strokes.

 

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Day 2 – Understanding movement in water

You learn why swimmers move the way they do and how the properties of water influence movement.

Topics include:

• biomechanics;
• properties of water;
• the motor learning process;
• translating theory into practical exercises;
• progression towards breaststroke.

 

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Day 3 – Designing effective swimming lessons

A good swimming lesson has a clear goal and a logical learning pathway.

Topics include:

• progressing towards Swimming Diploma A level;
• preparing lessons;
• teaching and coaching;
• practising lessons with fellow participants;
• progressing towards front crawl and back crawl.

The original programme describes the theoretical and practical division of these training days in detail.

 

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Day 4 – Swimming technique and error analysis

You develop your ability to observe swimmers and recognise what is preventing them from progressing.

Topics include:

• teaching swimming techniques;
• personal swimming skills;
• swimming with additional clothing;
• observation;
• technical error analysis;
• finding appropriate solutions and exercises;
• translating observations into better teaching.

 

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Day 5 – Observation, communication and teaching

During the final contact day, the emphasis increasingly shifts towards your role as an independent swimming teacher.

Topics include:

• observation and communication;
• analysing swimming lessons;
• discussing practical cases;
• teaching your own swimming lesson;
• assessment by your trainer/learning coach;
• feedback and reflection;
• preparing for completion of the programme.

 

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Your workplace is an important part of the programme

Between the contact days, you continue learning in practice.

You work on:

• lesson preparations;
• practical assignments;
• observation assignments;
• teaching swimming lessons;
• feedback from your workplace supervisor;
• reflection;
• building your portfolio.

 

Whenever possible, you complete this practical part of the programme at the swimming pool where you already work or undertake your internship.  This allows you to immediately apply what you have learned.

 

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Personal guidance

You do not complete the programme on your own.

Your swimming pool or internship organisation appoints a workplace supervisor who supports you during your practical training.

In addition, ENVOZ appoints a learning coach.

Your learning coach follows your development and, as you approach the examination stage, assesses your lessons and portfolio.

Together with your workplace supervisor, your learning coach helps determine whether you are ready to take the final examination.

 

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Examination

The final assessment consists of several elements.

You must successfully complete:

• the online theory examination;
• your portfolio;
• a practical assessment during the preliminary learning stage;
• a practical assessment during the main learning stage;
• a final professional interview.

 

Wherever practically possible, your practical examination takes place at the swimming pool where you work or complete your internship.

This means you can demonstrate your professional skills with swimmers you know, in an environment you are familiar with.

 

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Your ENVOZ professional licence

Passing your examination is not the end of your professional development.

ENVOZ believes in lifelong learning.

After successfully completing the programme, you also receive a personal ENVOZ licence valid for two years.

The licence allows you, subject to the applicable ENVOZ conditions, to organise and assess swimming examinations for the ENVOZ International Swimming Diplomas ABC.

The licence can be maintained by participating in continuing professional development within swimming education.

 

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Complete programme - no unexpected examination fees

The published course fee includes the regular components required to complete the programme.

This includes:

• the five training days;
• study materials;
• guidance;
• certification;
• the regular examinations;
• your diploma after successful completion;
• your initial personal ENVOZ licence.

 

There is no separate registration fee or standard final examination fee.

Additional costs may apply only in specific situations, for example if a re-examination is required. ENVOZ Opleiding Zwemonderwijzer…

For full-day training sessions, ENVOZ currently also communicates that lunch, coffee, tea and table water are included.

 

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Combine swimming teaching with water safety

For professional swimming teachers, we strongly recommend having valid qualifications in:

First Aid, and
Swimming Pool Lifeguarding / Swimming Rescue

ENVOZ also provides professional water-safety and lifeguard training.

Depending on the available course combination, a financial benefit may apply when programmes are booked together.

 

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Continue developing your career

Once you have qualified as a Swimming Teacher, you can continue to specialise.

ENVOZ offers further professional development in areas such as:

• swimming education for young children;
• swimming with children who need additional support;
• communication with parents and colleagues;
• swimming technique and error analysis;
• open-water swimming;
• lifesaving and supervision;
• other specialist areas within swimming education and the wider swimming-pool sector.

Your Swimming Teacher qualification can therefore be the starting point for a much broader professional career.

 

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Study in the Netherlands as an international participant

Do you live in the Netherlands but is Dutch not your first language?

Please contact us before registering.

The ENVOZ Swimming Teacher programme is primarily organised within the Dutch professional swimming sector. However, we increasingly work with international professionals, swimming schools and participants.

We are happy to discuss what support is possible in English and whether your workplace or internship situation is suitable for completing the programme.

This can be particularly relevant if you work with international or expatriate families and would like to teach swimming in English.

 

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In-company and international programmes

Would you like to train several employees at the same time?

ENVOZ can also organise the Swimming Teacher programme in-company for swimming schools, swimming pools and other organisations.

Depending on the situation, we can discuss:

• training at your own swimming facility;
• customised planning;
• programmes for groups of employees;
• English-language or internationally oriented delivery;
• combinations of online learning, practical training and workplace learning.

Please contact us to discuss the possibilities.

 

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Ready to become a Swimming Teacher?

Choose your course and start building your career in professional swimming education.

 

Questions?
Contact us and let us help you.