Berlitz Corporation (founded in 1878) is an American education company that offers language courses in more than 50 languages, intercultural training, leadership, and soft-skills programs. Its teaching is based on the Berlitz Method, an immersion-based approach to language instruction in which lessons are delivered only in the target language, focusing on the immediate use in conversation. Recently, Berlitz has incorporated AI-enabled tools into its online platforms, including speech recognition, automated speaking practice, and conversational chatbots, to enhance learning.
The company is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, and operates internationally through a mix of franchised and company-owned centres. Berlitz later became part of Language Education Holdings, the parent company of ELS Educational Services and the ILSC Education Group. As of 2025, Berlitz operates in 76 countries, with approximately 375 learning centres worldwide, and also offers courses online.
History
Founding and early years (1878–1880s)
Berlitz was founded in 1878 by Maximilian D. Berlitz, an American linguist born in Germany in 1852 to a family of educators and mathematicians. He emigrated to the United States in 1870 and began teaching languages in Rhode Island before joining Bryant and Stratton National Business College in Providence. In 1878 he established the first Berlitz School of Languages in Providence. During its early years Berlitz hired a young assistant from France who spoke no