Berlitz Virtual Classroom

Berlitz has been in the language learning business for 125 years, and that is much longer than anybody else.  They also have Berlitz Language Centers in every nook and cranny of the world.  There are 460 worldwide in 63 different countries, including 60 in the United States alone.

Now, Berlitz is expanding it's service to the World Wide Web with the Berlitz Virtual Classroom.  This is a system that allows you access to all of their language courses online.  You can study the language of your choice in the comfort of your own home or office.

Berlitz Virtual Classroom offers the exact same instruction as the Berlitz Language Centers do.  You get the same face-to-face, real-time instruction with a live, native speaker. 

The online instruction, as opposed to the traditional classroom, offers many advantages.  For the student, it offers more flexibility as far as scheduling, and it saves on travel time.  You can study anywhere that you can take your computer, and still have a live instructor.

Even though there are Berlitz Language Centers all over the globe, you may live in an area where it's hard to get to one.  The online courses are a great option for those who live out in remote areas.  Even some who have the option of attending a school prefer taking lessons online where they have the schedule flexibility and comfort of staying home.

Online courses are also great for travelers.  You can continue studying anywhere in the world without having to even change teachers.  It is ideal for business travelers who find themselves in another corner of the world every week.

How The Berlitz Virtual Classroom Works

The first step in getting set up is to go to a Berlitz Language Center for a consultation.  You can apply online, but you have to go to an actual center to get set up.  A big part of this is so that the staff can help you with the installation, which is not too complicated, but it needs the help of a staff member.

You log in and let them know when you are available for lessons, and they connect you to a teacher who suits your schedule, level and target language.  You can choose to take either private or semi-private lessons.  The difference is that private lessons are one-to-one, just you and your Berlitz teacher.  Semi-private lessons are small group lessons of 3-4 people.  Private lessons offer more scheduling flexibility, while semi-private lessons meet twice a week.  There are also employee online courses for companies that take group business English lessons.

You need to have a Windows system.  The Berlitz Virtual Classroom will not run on a Mac.  You also need an Internet connection speed of at least 56k, and either a headset microphone or independent speakers and mic.

Inside The Berlitz Method

The Berlitz method is often recognized as the most effective language learning style in the world.  It was developed over a hundred years ago, and it has helped many people since then perfect their speaking skills and achieve their language learning goals.

The method emphasizes speaking and listening.  There are no drills, vocabulary lists to memorize and repeat back, or dry grammar textbooks.  Everything in Berlitz is done by speaking in the target language.  You learn to use the new language in the context where you'll need it - conversation.

Here, you will learn your new language through real-life, everyday situations.  First, you'll learn the basic survival level of the language, and you will advance to more difficult vocabulary and grammar.  Starting with simple, everyday tasks, the lessons build until you are able to communicate on any topic you want to.  Although instruction is not grammar based like more traditional approaches, the instructor will explain grammar points as you go.  But, the focus is not on what you know about a language, but what you can do with it.  The vocabulary and grammar you will learn is all directed toward the goal of making you a competent speaker in the target language.

There is a special business course that is aimed at teaching business proficiency in a language.  Here, you can learn how to negotiate, conduct business meetings and send business correspondences in your second language, as well as carry on an everyday conversation.  Berlitz emphasizes the cultural side of language learning, so you will also learn about the business environment in your chosen language's country.

The online classroom, like the real classroom, follows a set course.  Berlitz has its own system of proficiency levels, and the lessons follow a natural progression.  With private lessons, you will be more able to get personal feedback from your instructor.  They will also be able to customize the lessons in order to work on your weak points and interests.

All Berlitz instructors are native speakers of the languages they teach.  Berlitz teaches every language under the sun, but with the Berlitz Virtual Classroom, the options are more limited.  French, German, Italian and Spanish are the only languages that are constantly offered in the Virtual Classroom, but if you contact Berlitz they may be able to set you up with lessons in any language.  It all depends on teacher availability.  If you want to learn a language other than these four, contact Berlitz and see what else is available.

If there are any technical problems, Berlitz staff are always there to help, although this has not been much of a problem.  Since the Berlitz Virtual Classroom is used for so many business group lessons, the system is stable and reliable.

Berlitz Virtual Classroom is a great way to learn a new language by interacting with a skilled native speaker of that language.  It is even better because you can have your lessons in your own home or office.  There is a great degree of flexibility in the program, and it's emphasis is on getting you speaking as soon as possible.