Zurich, August 21st 2008: Berlitz celebrates its 130th anniversary
Over 300,000 customers around the world use the diverse range of language, intercultural and specialist training services every year.
When German expatriate Maximilian D. Berlitz founded the first language school in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1878, he revolutionized the way in which foreign languages were learned: from the very first lesson, only the language that the students wanted to learn was spoken. The fact that this is now the prevalent way of learning is due to the Berlitz Method. Berlitz developed this method because he realized that students learned a language much faster this way. This year, Berlitz is celebrating its 130th anniversary and its ongoing innovativeness is reflected in its anniversary motto "130 years of innovation".
The company expanded greatly from 1881 to 1914. The demand for effective language training was particularly strong in Europe. The first European Berlitz language school was opened in Berlin in 1888. Paris and London followed a year later. Berlitz already had around 200 schools in 1914. Today, the company, which has continually expanded its range of services to include new areas, has over 500 language schools in more than 70 countries. Around 50 different languages are taught around the world. Every year, over 300,000 customers use its services. Since the company was founded, over 30 million people have learned to speak a foreign language, and become acquainted with the culture associated with that language, at Berlitz. Berlitz has thus made a big contribution to international understanding and facilitated access to other countries for numerous people by providing them with new skills.
Ongoing expansion of business segments
Berlitz not only expanded geographically, but also in terms of content. Flexibility, innovativeness and a feel for customer needs ensured that its portfolio was continually developing. In 1964 "Total Immersion" was launched. People who book this program are totally submerged in the foreign language for several days or weeks, learning both the art of small talk and how to negotiate convincingly. "Berlitz Kids" was created in 1982. Children aged four to eleven learn foreign languages in a fun way in colorful "kids' rooms". Using this as a basis, the "Berlitz Kids & Teens Camps" were launched in 1999. For children and young people aged seven to seventeen, there is a comprehensive range of language holidays in various European countries, each of which lasts from one to several weeks at a time. Other milestones in the company's international history are the launch of "Berlitz Cultural Consulting" (1994), "BerlitzEnglish" (2002) and the "Virtual Classroom" (2003). "Cultural Consulting" is aimed at private individuals and business people who are planning a longer stay abroad or are doing international business. On these courses, you are not only prepared in terms of language but also for the cultural and social aspects of the country concerned. "BerlitzEnglish" is an internationally-developed English program with an innovative multimedia package and contemporary, reality-based content. The "Virtual Classroom" is a response to the need for flexible learning, anywhere. Language students (individuals or groups) and Berlitz language teachers arrange an online language course over the Internet. The latest Berlitz development is called "Berlitz Business Seminars". This new business segment with an extensive range of seminars was created in 2007 and combines language, intercultural and specialist training for professionals and managers.
Berlitz International, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the stock exchange-listed Benesse Group in Tokyo.
Berlitz in Switzerland
The first Berlitz school in Switzerland was opened in Zurich in 1898. Geneva followed in 1900, Basel and Lausanne opened in 1905 and were followed in 1908 by Bern and Davos. There are now 9 branches throughout Switzerland. Berlitz Switzerland is certified according to EduQua and has around 300 employees. Berlitz services were used in 17 different languages in 2007. French (35.1%) continues to be most in demand, closely followed by English (31.4%), German (25.6%), Italian (3.2%) and Spanish (2.2%). Berlitz has also been helping socially-disadvantaged children and young people since 2006. The Berlitz Educational Foundation supports school projects in Kenya and Romania.
Berlitz Switzerland generated total sales of 13.9 million Swiss Franks in 2006. Provisional earnings for 2007 are around 14.6 million Swiss Franks. Within Europe, Switzerland is the fifth highest revenue country; in worldwide comparison, Switzerland is in the top ten in ninth place, based on factors including the number of teaching hours.
