Leraar

Leraar is a Dutch noun meaning a teacher, typically a male teacher in primary or secondary education. The feminine form is lerares. In everyday usage, leraar can also function as a gender-neutral term referring to teachers in general, while lerares is used specifically for a female teacher. The plural form leraren is commonly used when referring to a group of teachers.

Etymology and usage. The word derives from leer, meaning learning, combined with the agent suffix -aar, producing a term for a person who teaches. It is widely used in the Netherlands and in Flanders, with regional and contextual variations. In formal contexts, especially in higher education, the term docent is more common.

Context and roles. Leraars work in primary and secondary schools, and their duties include planning and delivering lessons, explaining concepts, monitoring student progress, assessing work, and providing feedback. They also manage the classroom environment, support students’ social and academic development, and communicate with parents and colleagues. The term is linked to the profession of teaching and to school governance and curriculum implementation.

Training and professional status. Becoming a leraar typically requires a teacher education program and certification. In the Netherlands, aspiring primary teachers often complete a.p.b.o. (pabo) or a university-based teaching training program, while secondary teachers may pursue specific subject training. In Flanders, analogous programs lead to teaching qualifications. Continuous professional development is common to maintain credentials and adapt to educational reforms.