User:Linguarama/Linguarama

Linguarama is an international Language and Cultural Training organisation focusing on providing high quality training for business and professional people who need to to communicate effectively in foreign languages and across international cultures. The Linguarama Head Office is in London. Linguarama operates 22 training centres around Europe. All Linguarama centres provide training in over 30 languages and work with many of the major blue chip companies in the countries where they are located. Each year Linguarama provides training for more than 20,000 participants from 1000 companies in 65 different countries. Since being founded in 1971 the corporate aim has always been the same – to enable business and professional people to operate successfully and confidently in foreign language and foreign cultural environments.

History
Linguarama was founded in 1971 in London, Tokyo and Helsinki. The company focused on providing language training for the business community. In particular the focus was on English language training and the ‘Learn English in England’ programme bringing executives to UK in order to study English intensively for 2, 3 and 4 week programmes. In 1989 Linguarama became part of the BPP group. With a strong publishing background BPP oversaw the expansion of the company and the development of its products and its published materials. In 2005 Linguarama was acquired by the Marcus Evans group, a world leader in Business Conferences, Summits and Business intelligence. Since then Linguarama has increased its overseas operations regularly running programmes in the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific region. The current Chief Executive is John Burkitt who joined the company in Helsinki in 1978.

Expansion
In 1974 Linguarama Iberica was founded in Barcelona. In 1978 Linguarama Deutschland was founded in Munich. In 1979 Linguarama France was founded in Paris. In 1981 Linguarama Italia was opened in Milan. In 1982 the first Linguarama training centre in the Netherlands was opened in The Hague. There are now 22 Linguarama training centres operating in 6 countries in Europe.

Main Languages Taught
Arabic, Armenian, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dari, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Mandarin, Norwegian, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.

Course and Materials Development
Over the years Linguarama has produced a range of innovative products and services for its client base. It began with its own training materials used throughout the organisation. Linguarama was then commissioned by a major car and truck manufacturer to write language training materials relevant to the vehicle industry. In a joint venture with Encyclopaedia Britannica Linguarama was one of the first companies to develop individualised pronunciation programmes. In the late 1990s Linguarama produced a series of Reference Guides in 6 languages presenting the languages clearly and precisely in business contexts relevant to its clientele. At the same time Linguarama produced the GEM Materials. These were not just Business English materials aimed specifically at the adult business English learner but a wide range of resources for both teacher and student to be used inside and outside the classroom. In 2000 Linguarama was one of the first companies to develop its own business related blended learning programmes with the introduction of Linguarama Direct. This Business English focused programme complemented the face-to-face training in a new and innovative way and allowed participants to study on-line and to increase the value and impact of their lessons. Linguarama Direct was further supported by the development of interactive materials such as English for Socialising and English for Telephoning. Over the period 2009 – 2012 Linguarama introduced Linguarama Connect - an online learning resource for learners of Business English. The programme uses a variety of multi-media to encourage learners to develop their skills quickly and effectively

Learning Approach
The Linguarama approach is a communicative, student-centred approach which enables participants to learn language which is immediately relevant to their working lives and which will help them to do their jobs more effectively

Key Services
Language Training – Linguarama trains all languages with native speaking trainers

Communication Training – Linguarama provides training in key business communication skills

Cultural Competence – Training in all areas of Cultural Awareness and Cross-Cultural skills

Testing and Assessment – the Linguarama testing process is accepted internationally by many blue-chip companies as the standard for international transfers and exchanges

Skills Audits – check the level of language skill throughout your company so that you can plan the skill set you need to develop

Clients
Linguarama currently works with over 1,000 client companies worldwide and trains participants from all over the world.