We hope you enjoy exploring our website, learning about Berlitz and the many products and services we offer. Berlitz is dedicated to helping people and organizations understand their world and communicate across borders. As the world's premier provider of language learning and cross-cultural services, Berlitz has over 500 locations in 70 countries, including more than 50 locations in the United States. If you want to learn about the location nearest you, please contact your local language center.
We have helped millions of men, women and children learn a new or second language, and our cultural consultants have assisted thousands in reaching across cultural barriers successfully. For more than 130 years, we have remained committed to the success and satisfaction of our customers, and we are constantly refining our products and services to meet their evolving needs.
Berlitz: Over 130 Years of Innovation
Berlitz is proud to share our celebrated history – click here to view the Berlitz story — 130 Years of Innovation. Our rich traditions and unique approach to instruction have had a direct impact on revolutionizing the way languages are taught. In 1878, language tutor Maximilian D. Berlitz developed a new method of teaching people languages. His conversational approach, which he developed into the Berlitz Method®, was so successful it became the gold standard of language instruction and led to what would become a globe-spanning organization.
Classic techniques, current innovations
The world-renowned Berlitz Method is a conversational teaching style that presents practical vocabulary and grammar in the context of real-life situations. All Berlitz students learn to speak their new language the way they did their first — through natural conversation. The Berlitz Method remains at the core of our approach, supplemented by materials and techniques that we have developed from over a century of ongoing research in improving language instruction. That includes new online programs, which combine the power of leading-edge information technology with the strength of the Berlitz Method.
Milestones in Berlitz Innovation
| 1878 |
The Berlitz School of Languages is founded by Maximilian D. Berlitz in Providence, RI, and the world-renowned Berlitz Method is born. |
| 1881-1914 |
This was a period of worldwide expansion and global recognition. By 1914, Berlitz has opened schools in the US as well as Europe, Latin America and Africa. |
| 1929-1945 |
Berlitz is one of the few international organizations to survive two world wars and the Great Depression. |
| 1964 |
Berlitz Total Immersion®, our most intensive language learning program, is developed and successfully introduced. |
| 1966 |
The Berlitz global network expands to Asia, as the first Berlitz Language Center opens in Tokyo. |
| 1970 |
The unique and proprietary Berlitz Multi-Media materials are developed, allowing for standardized curriculum delivery on a global basis. |
| 1982 |
Berlitz Kids® is introduced, featuring age-appropriate materials and activities geared toward language learning for children and teens. |
| 1994 |
Berlitz Cultural Consulting® is launched, offering solutions designed to develop greater intercultural effectiveness and global leadership excellence. |
| 1997 |
The Berlitz Learning Cycle, which clarifies our delivery process from program recommendation through level completion, is developed in order to better meet the needs of our customers. |
| 2002 |
BerlitzEnglish®, a fully integrated English program, is launched. Centered around practical situations, it offers authentic content sourced from prominent media partners. |
| 2003 |
Berlitz Virtual Classroom® is launched, offering live instructor-led distance learning via the Internet which delivers the same high-quality Berlitz language instruction provided in our face-to-face classroom scenario. |
| 2008 |
Berlitz acquires Training Management Corporation® (TMC), and the Berlitz Mobility Navigator is introduced. |
Our Mission
For over 130 years Berlitz has been committed to helping the world communicate through leadership and innovation in language and cultural services. At Berlitz we are dedicated to one ultimate goal — the success and satisfaction of our customers. We achieve this goal by providing a multi-faceted experience tailored to the individual's language and cultural needs, whether they are for business, education or personal interest. Our rich traditions and approach to instruction utilizing the Berlitz Method® have had a direct impact on revolutionizing the way languages are taught around the world. As an industry leader, our organization is committed to excellence in quality assurance. We pledge to continue refining our products and services by understanding our customers and anticipating the needs of the marketplace via ongoing research, resulting in a company that is admired by our customers, employees and the community.