What inlingua does

inlingua is a Swiss-based language training organization founded in 1968 and headquartered in Bern, Switzerland (inlingua International Ltd., registered in the Swiss commercial register under CHE-101.435.045). It operates a global franchise/licensee network of more than 200 language training centers across 30+ countries on four continents, with Managing Director Peter König overseeing the Swiss parent. The parent supplies the proprietary inlingua Method — a communicative teaching approach emphasizing oral expression, comprehension, and real-world application — along with exclusive teaching materials, e-learning platforms, marketing support, trainer certification, and quality standards; independent licensees run day-to-day local operations under the brand.

The product portfolio combines physical classroom instruction with a digital ecosystem that includes the my.inlingua learner portal, the my.VC live virtual classroom, my.lab, my.conversations, the inlingua plus hybrid package, and proprietary textbooks, workbooks, and e-books. Children's programs cover ages 1–14 through age-segmented offerings branded DOTS (1–5), Bubbles (6–8), Junior (8–10), and Go World (11–14). Online language proficiency tests support learner placement.

Revenue mechanics rest on three streams: franchise and licensing royalties paid by local operators; course and program fees collected at the local center level (with pricing set per franchisee); and e-learning subscriptions sold standalone or bundled with classroom programs, alongside corporate on-site, virtual, and blended training packages. Customer segments are individual adults, corporate/enterprise clients, and children. The company remains privately held, with the source data showing no evidence of external institutional investment, M&A activity, or public-market positioning, and the parent itself is GDPR-compliant across its digital platforms.

Name

inlingua

Legal name

inlingua International Ltd.

Website

https://inlingua.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

inlingua is a Swiss-founded global language training franchise with 200+ centers across 30+ countries, serving individual adult learners, corporate clients, and children ages 1–14 through its proprietary inlingua Method and an integrated e-learning platform suite (my.inlingua, my.VC, my.lab, my.conversations, inlingua plus).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Training Services

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Language Learning Centers (ESL/EFL & World Languages) (EDANAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Live Online Language Tutoring & Small-Group Classes (EDAMAFAD), General ESL/EFL Coursebooks & Integrated Skills Series (EDAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Language training services
• Corporate language courses
• Children's language programs
• E-learning platforms
• Franchise language education

Headquarters

HQ city

Orléans

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Franchise/License Fees: Independent local operators pay franchise or licensing fees to use the inlingua brand, methodology, and access to proprietary materials and platforms. Each center operates as a separate business entity collecting course fees from learners.
2. Language Training Courses: Revenue generated from learners attending in-person, virtual, or blended language courses at local centers. Course fees vary by center and program type (adults, kids, corporate).
3. E-Learning Subscriptions: Online learning services including access to my.inlingua platform, my.VC virtual classroom, e-books, and online tools. These may be sold as standalone subscriptions or bundled with course packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

inlingua operates a global language training network through 200+ franchise-owned centers across 30+ countries, delivering adult, corporate, and children's language courses using its proprietary inlingua Method and exclusive teaching materials. Courses are offered in-person at local centers, through live virtual classrooms (my.VC), via blended learning (inlingua plus), and through self-paced e-learning portals (my.inlingua, my.lab, my.conversations). Specialized age-segmented programs cover children aged 1-14 (DOTS, Bubbles, Junior, Go World), and corporate clients receive on-site, virtual, or blended training with proficiency assessments.

Product overview

inlingua offers a comprehensive language learning ecosystem built around its proprietary inlingua Method and associated learning materials. The portfolio includes multiple e-learning platforms (inlingua plus, my.inlingua, my.VC, my.lab, my.conversations) that combine classroom instruction with modern online tools. Physical and digital learning materials include proprietary textbooks, workbooks, and E-Books. The company also provides specialized programs for children (DOTS, Bubbles, Junior, Go World) covering ages 1 to 14, and offers language proficiency assessments. Delivery formats include on-site instruction, virtual classrooms, and flexible blended learning approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• inlingua plus: A learning package combining dynamic classroom instruction with modern e-learning.
• my.inlingua
• my.VC
• my.lab
• my.conversations
• DOTS
• Bubbles
• Junior
• Go World

Products and services

• inlingua Material Proprietary teaching materials and learning resources developed by inlingua, including textbooks, workbooks, and supporting educational content, used to support structured language courses at local centers.
• inlingua plus Combined language learning package that integrates dynamic classroom instruction with modern e-learning components, providing flexible hybrid learning for individual and corporate learners.
• my.inlingua Personalized online learning portal providing 24/7 access to course materials, digital resources, and progress tracking tools for self-paced study.
• my.VC (Virtual Classroom) Live virtual classroom platform enabling real-time interaction between certified trainers and learners for remote language instruction, available globally.
• my.lab Online language laboratory tool for self-directed practice and skill development, complementing classroom or virtual training.
• my.conversations Online conversation practice tool focused on developing speaking and listening skills through interactive sessions with trainers or peers.
• E-Books Digital versions of inlingua proprietary textbooks and learning materials for online access by enrolled learners.
• Language Placement Tests Online language placement and proficiency tests that assess current skill levels and place learners in appropriate courses; offered free in five languages.
• DOTS Age-appropriate language program for children ages 1 to 5, focused on learning through play, songs, and interactive activities suited to toddlers and preschoolers.
• Bubbles Age-appropriate language program for children ages 6 to 8, supporting language acquisition while encouraging interaction with peers.
• Junior Age-appropriate language program for children ages 8 to 10, developing and enriching vocabulary while building additional skills such as reading and writing.
• Go World Age-appropriate language program for children ages 11 to 14, designed to motivate and prepare learners for advanced language training.
• Corporate Language Training Customized corporate language training for companies and organizations, delivered on-site at client locations, via virtual classrooms, or as blended learning programs, with language assessments and measurable outcomes.
• inlingua Franchise / License Program Licensing opportunity for independent operators to open and run inlingua language training centers under the inlingua brand, with access to the proprietary inlingua Method, training materials, e-learning platforms, and marketing support.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Berlitz Corporation: Berlitz is one of the world's largest private language training companies, operating corporate and consumer language instruction globally with a comparable mix of in-person, virtual, and blended delivery, and a similar franchise/license model. Direct competitor to inlingua in adult, corporate, and kids language learning segments.
• EF Education First: EF operates one of the largest global language school networks alongside study abroad and corporate training programs (EF Corporate Language Training). It directly competes with inlingua for adult learners, corporate contracts, and study-travel students across many of the same countries.
• Wall Street English: Wall Street English is a global franchise-style adult English language school network with proprietary blended learning methodology and physical centers in multiple countries. It overlaps with inlingua in adult ESL, corporate training, and center-based blended delivery.
• International House (IH) World Organisation: International House is a network of independently owned language schools teaching English and other languages across dozens of countries, sharing inlingua's affiliate-driven distribution model and adult/teacher-training focus. Comparable in geographic breadth and target learner profile.
• Kaplan International Languages: Kaplan International Languages is a major global provider of English language courses with physical centers and online delivery, competing directly with inlingua for adult learners, study abroad students, and corporate English training clients.
• Linguaphone Group: Linguaphone is one of the longest-established language training brands globally, offering courses, e-learning, and corporate solutions through licensed partners. Comparable heritage brand, similar royalty-based distribution, and overlapping corporate/consumer audience with inlingua.
• Language Trainers: Language Trainers provides individualized and corporate language instruction across many countries, with a mix of in-person tutors and online delivery. Comparable in target customers (professionals and corporate clients) and breadth of languages offered to inlingua.
• Speexx: Speexx is a digital corporate language training platform serving large enterprises and SMEs with blended learning and online tools, overlapping directly with inlingua's corporate and virtual classroom offerings in the B2B segment.

Emerging players

• Babbel (Lesson Nine GmbH): Babbel is a leading consumer subscription language-learning app with millions of subscribers, competing with inlingua for self-directed adult learners and increasingly for corporate accounts via Babbel for Business. Differs in being digital-first rather than center-based.
• Duolingo: Duolingo is the largest free/subscription language-learning platform globally, offering short-form mobile lessons across dozens of languages. It commoditizes beginner-level language acquisition and competes for the entry-level consumer learners that inlingua centers also target.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmNQP6hOUK18Hd8aDUENW5Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/inlingua
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/inlinguainternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/inlinguainternational
• Xx.com/inlinguaint

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about inlingua