How the Berlitz Method developed
Invented by our founder, Maximilian Berlitz, the Berlitz Method is the first known immersive teaching method that disrupted traditional styles of learning new languages from the outset.
Like many great discoveries, the Berlitz Method emerged by chance, specific circumstances, and a creative mind. While teaching in Providence, Maximilian Berlitz hired Joly, a young Frenchman, as his assistant. However, upon arriving in the US, Berlitz discovered that his new assistant didn’t speak a single word of English.
During this time, Berlitz fell seriously ill and had no choice but to let Joly take over his teaching duties. Berlitz instructed Joly to use gestures to convey meanings, encouraging him to use vocabulary in context so that his French students could begin to understand the meaning.
After six weeks, Berlitz returned to the classroom expecting his students to be considerably behind in language development. Instead, to his surprise, his students were more engaged than ever, communicating in a lively exchange of questions and answers – in perfect French! Being forced to learn from an instructor who only spoke French accelerated their learning. As a result, a completely new and highly effective teaching method was created.
How learning with Berlitz works
When you inquire about developing your language skills and cultural understanding with Berlitz, follow a few steps to help us define your learning path, ensuring that you match the right proficiency level and can make rapid progress toward your goals.
We call this the Berlitz Learning Cycle, and it’s designed to work as a quality assurance tool for you as you engage in your studies. We will uncover your situation, your specific goals, your proficiency level, and what you want to achieve with your language and culture program.
The Berlitz Method today
The Berlitz Method is still the most effective way to learn a 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.
Here’s how it works:
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - Certifying your achievements
You’ll receive a certificate to celebrate your accomplishments! - Progressing to the next level
We’ll check you’re happy with your achievements and advance you to the next language proficiency level.
