Beginning as a language school in the United States nearly 150 years ago, Berlitz has built a worldwide reputation for foreign language instruction and has stayed relevant in the 21st century by branching out into leadership training, recognizing that effective communication is a sought-after skill in any workplace anywhere around the world.
Berlitz Serbia's Company Director Michela Bernacca met with GMI POST to share Berlitz’s history in Serbia and its journey in becoming the leading language and corporate training school in the country.
“Berlitz already existed in Serbia before World War I. It was one of the first few Berlitz centers to open in Europe, together with those in Paris and Rome,” said Bernacca, who added that the school closed down during World War II and did not reopen until 2004.
Under Michela and her husband, Berlitz in Serbia has become the market leader, serving three distinct markets: children, private individuals and corporate partners, which include Mercator, Dior, Gorenje, Japan Tobacco International, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
“We provide the most efficient way to learn a language. Everybody in the business world is short of time, and so we set the right goals for the client. And after conducting analysis and a placement test, we see where the clients are, where the clients want to be, and the fastest way to get them where they want to be, Bernacca said.
With more than 40,000 students, Berlitz in Serbia is committed to its brand of excellence in language instruction, not just for its corporate clients but also for private individuals, young and old.
“I invite investors to come to Serbia and see for themselves how welcoming the people are here, how beautiful the country is, and how much Belgrade has to offer in terms of the quality of our food, leisure activities, arts and culture, and also the quality of the workforce here,” said Bernacca, who pointed out that the best way to learn a new language is to immerse oneself in the local culture.
