Invented by our founder, Maximilian Berlitz, the Berlitz Method is the first-known immersive teaching method and has shaken up traditional language learning styles since its inception.

How the Berlitz Method developed

Like many great discoveries, the Berlitz Method came about because of chance, specific circumstances, and a creative mind. While teaching in Providence, Maximilian Berlitz hired Joly, a young Frenchman as his assistant. However, upon Joly’s arrival in the U.S., Berlitz found out that his new assistant did not speak a single word of English.

During this time, Berlitz fell very ill and had no choice but to let Joly take over his teaching duties. Berlitz instructed Joly to use gestures to act out his meaning, encouraging him to use vocabulary in context so his French students could begin to understand the meaning.

After six weeks, Berlitz returned to the classroom expecting his students to be far behind in their language development. Instead, to his surprise, his students were more engaged than ever, communicating in an animated exchange of questions and answers – in perfect French!

Having been forced to learn from a French-only speaker accelerated their learning. As a result, a completely new and highly effective method of teaching was created.

The Berlitz Method today

The Berlitz Method is still the most effective way to learn a new language and continues to be used today.

The key elements of the method are:

Immersive

Your instructor teaches and addresses you in your target language only. Language is presented in context of real-life situations with a focus on grammar and vocabulary.

Goal orientated

Each lesson is task-based with specific learning goals. This allows you to put your new language to use in actual situations right away.

Present, practice and perform

To help you absorb your new language, every lesson follows this structure. New content is presented by your instructor, you take part in both guided practice and general practice, and are then encouraged to perform what you have learnt.

Man in a wheelchair smiling in the sunlight after his language class with Berlitz France

How learning with Berlitz works

When you inquire about building your language skills and cultural understanding with Berlitz, you’ll follow a few steps to help us define your learning path to ensure you’re matched to the correct proficiency level and can quickly progress towards your goals.

We call this the Berlitz Learning Cycle, and it’s designed to act as a quality assurance tool for you as you work through your studies.

We’ll find out your situation, your specific goals, your proficiency level and what you want to achieve out of your language and culture program.

Here’s how it works:

1. Getting to know your needs

Once we understand your aims, we’ll clearly explain the training options that would suit you best and how they can help you achieve your language and cultural understanding goals.

2. Orientation

We’ll explain how it all works and help you get started. You’ll meet your language instructors, get to know your way around the learning center, receive your program materials, and learn about our platforms.

3. Reviewing your progress

We’ll check you’re on the right path to achieving your learning goals, successfully retaining what you learn and give you any extra learning support you need to embrace your new language and culture with confidence.

4. Testing your achievements

We’ll measure your understanding and skills so you can see how much you’ve progressed before moving to the next level.

5. Certifying your achievements

You’ll receive a certificate to celebrate your accomplishments!

6. Progressing to the next level

We’ll check you’re happy with your achievements and advance you to the next language proficiency level.

Start learning with the Berlitz Method today

Check out our language classes

The Berlitz Method for Business Seminars

Alongside our methodological innovations in language learning, our business seminars are also built around modern, practice-based techniques.

  • Your learning objectives: We never lose sight of your individual learning goals. Our participants’ needs guide our seminar concepts and mix of methods.
  • Mix of methods: We use exercises, case studies, simulations, and transfer tasks to make sure you stay motivated and participate actively in the seminar.
  • Theory and practice: Our courses are based on tried-and-tested theories and techniques that we teach and practice with you in our seminars and you can apply them immediately in real-life situations.
  • Applied learning: Because your goal is to successfully master everyday workplace challenges, this is the yardstick by which we measure our success.

Putting the Berlitz Method into practice

Find out more

Fill in the form below and we’ll contact you to discuss your learning options and answer any questions you may have.