ETB is the market leader in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) for the Benelux market in Türkiye, with 14 branches across the country and more than 1,700 employees. From this strong position, we deliver high-quality customer contact every day for Dutch and Belgian clients. Our strength lies in the fact that our employees, although living and working in Türkiye, speak Dutch and Flemish at a native level. This guarantees that our clients experience the same language proficiency, cultural understanding, and customer focus they are used to locally.
What makes ETB unique is that many of our employees are Turkish families who have lived, studied, and worked in the Netherlands or Flanders for many years. During that time, they not only mastered the Dutch language perfectly but also absorbed the culture, customs, and expectations. Many parents themselves have a background in education in the Netherlands or Flanders, which has made the language and culture an inseparable part of their identity.
This unique combination of background and experience is what they now use to serve our clients. Yet, this also raises a recurring question among our employees: how do we ensure that our children, who are now growing up in Türkiye, learn and preserve the Dutch language?
That need marked the beginning of a special collaboration between ETB and Wereldschool.
Language and culture as a foundation for the future
For many Turkish families who have lived in the Netherlands or Flanders, Dutch is not just a practical skill but an essential part of their identity and life journey. It is the language in which they built their careers, developed friendships and networks, and gained access to opportunities in the Benelux.
Now that these families have returned to Türkiye and their children are growing up here, parents want to ensure that this same language and culture are not lost. It is about more than words and grammar; it is about a connection with the past, an investment in the future, and the certainty that their children can also benefit from the advantages of bilingualism.
Children who maintain or develop their Dutch are stronger in several ways:
- They can more easily integrate into Dutch or Flemish schools if the family returns in the future.
- They increase their chances for international study and career opportunities.
- They can better understand and maintain contact with family and friends in the Netherlands or Belgium.
- They develop a broader cultural identity, where both Turkish and Dutch/Flemish elements have a place.
For ETB, it was therefore self-evident to support our employees in this. As an employer who looks beyond the workplace, we see it as our responsibility to contribute to the future of our employees and their families.
Wereldschool: expertise since 1948
To find a qualitative solution, we looked for a partner who could not only provide Dutch language education but do so in a way that is reliable, sustainable, and proven effective. That search led us to Wereldschool.
Since 1948, Wereldschool has been offering Dutch language and culture education to children living outside the Netherlands. Today, children in more than 120 countries are supported. The strength of Wereldschool lies in its customization and flexibility: whether it concerns toddlers playfully getting to know the language, primary school students building language skills, or secondary school students who want to maintain their Dutch at an academic level – there are always packages that fit the family’s age and situation.
With a team of certified teachers, digital learning tools, and personal guidance, Wereldschool ensures that children not only gain knowledge but also enjoy learning Dutch. For ETB, this was the reliable and high-quality partner we were looking for.
From idea to tailored cooperation
In March 2025, we started researching the needs of our employees. During conversations and informal discussions, it quickly became clear that the theme of language and culture was high on the agenda. Parents indicated they wanted concrete solutions that were feasible alongside their busy work and family lives while still being of high quality.
After several discussions and an inspiring meeting at Wereldschool’s headquarters in Lelystad, we decided to develop tailored solutions together for ETB. This led to a collaboration consisting of three pillars:
- Informative webinar – where interested parents were introduced to Wereldschool, could ask their questions, and immediately gained insight into the programs.
- Specific packages for ETB employees – ranging from toddler packages to programs for older children, ensuring every family could find a suitable solution.
- Pilot group lessons – where children of ETB employees learn Dutch together. This not only increases motivation but also fosters social connections between children who share the same background.
With this collaboration, ETB demonstrates that we look beyond business results. We actively think along with our employees about topics that affect them personally.
Enthusiasm and a September start
Interest among our employees was strong and enthusiastic. Very quickly, enough families registered to form a first group. In September, the children will start their lessons, and parents of toddlers have also chosen the special toddler package. This way, they lay the foundation for bilingualism at a very young age.
For ETB, this is more than a successful project: it is an investment in the future of our employees and their children. It is a way to maintain and strengthen the bond with the Benelux, even though the families now live in Türkiye.
Commitment and pride
“Besides my background in marketing and business management, I also have a pedagogical background. That makes it extra special for me to initiate this project. Education and language development are crucial for children, and I am very curious about the knowledge our ETB kids will gain. This cooperation confirms our values and shows why ETB has achieved the Best Workplaces certification.”
— Eşref, Marketing Manager, ETB
From Wereldschool, the same enthusiasm is heard:
“At Wereldschool, we believe that what roots are to a tree, language is to a human being. Being able to express yourself in multiple languages, especially those important to your parents, provides a solid foundation for identity and cognitive development. Moreover, multilingualism brings many benefits! We are proud to help your children develop in this way together with ETB and hope to support many parents!”
— Leandra, General Manager, Wereldschool
Why this fits ETB
As a market leader in BPO for the Benelux market in Türkiye, with 14 branches and 1,700+ employees, we carry not only a business responsibility but also a social and human one. We want to be not only the best in customer contact but also an employer that invests in the people behind that success.
The cooperation with Wereldschool therefore perfectly aligns with ETB’s values. It shows that we listen to our employees, take their wishes seriously, and take responsibility to find solutions together. This is how we give concrete meaning to what we consider important as an organization.
It is exactly this kind of initiative that proves why ETB is among the Best Workplaces: Listening to our people, investing in what matters, and building the future together – that is ETB.