Manhattan Language

What Manhattan Language does

Manhattan Language is a privately held English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) school founded in 2000 and headquartered at 26 Broadway in the Financial District of Manhattan. The school delivers in-person English instruction using the Communicative Approach methodology, in which students speak only English from the first day, across an 8-level curriculum with average class sizes of 8-12 students taught by certified, university-trained teachers averaging 20 years of ESL experience. The school is federally authorized to enroll F-1 visa students and issues I-20 forms in support of full-time study programs.

The core product portfolio comprises four weekly English programs — American English Tourist (20 lessons/week), Standard (24 lessons/week), and Intensive (32 lessons/week) — plus University Admission Test Preparation for TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo, Business English for Professionals, Signature Electives, One-to-One Instruction at $85 per 45-minute session, and a Holiday English travel package at $950 all-inclusive. Supplementary services include Discover NYC Fridays (outdoor lessons at NYC landmarks), homestay and student residence accommodation, and a network of 20+ university pathway partnerships offering conditional acceptance at partner institutions across the United States.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model with students enrolling via website, phone, WhatsApp, and contact forms, supplemented by international education agents and university pathway referrals. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring weekly tuition and accommodation fees, plus a one-time $195 non-refundable registration fee and private lesson fees. The school is independently owned by its founder Bonita, with no disclosed external investors, no funding rounds, and no M&A activity. The operating footprint remains a single facility with 12 classrooms, supported by 11-50 employees including a small management team and tenured teaching staff.

Name

Manhattan Language

Legal name

Manhattan Language

Website

https://manhattanlanguage.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Education (ESL)

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English Language Schools (ESL/EFL) (EDAIAEAB)

Keywords

• English language school
• ESL programs
• Test preparation
• Business English
• University pathway

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Programs: Core revenue from various English language programs including American English Tourist (20 lessons/week), American English Standard (24 lessons/week), American English Intensive (32 lessons/week), University Admission Test Preparation, Business English, and One-to-One Instruction. Programs priced per week with discounts for longer durations.
2. Accommodation Services: Revenue from student residence and homestay accommodations. Options include bed and breakfast homestay ($435-590/week depending on Manhattan location) and half board homestay ($525/week outside Manhattan).
3. Private Lessons: One-to-one instruction at $85 per 45-minute lesson or $800 for a ten-lesson package. Can be taken in-person or online.
4. Holiday English Package: All-inclusive holiday English programs combining one week of classes with trips to destinations like Boston and Coastal New England for $950.
5. Registration Fees: One-time $195 non-refundable registration fee for all new students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Manhattan Language is an English language school in lower Manhattan's Financial District that sells ESL immersion programs (Tourist, Standard, and Intensive tiers), test preparation for TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo, Business English classes, private one-to-one lessons, and Holiday English travel-study packages. The school also provides student accommodation (homestay and residence), F-1 visa support, and university pathway placement with 19 partner institutions. Pricing is per week with discounts for longer enrollments and a one-time registration fee.

Product overview

Manhattan Language is an English language school located in New York City's Financial District offering a portfolio of language programs. The core offerings include the American English Tourist (20 lessons/week), American English Standard (24 lessons/week), and American English Intensive (32 lessons/week) programs, along with specialized University Admission Test Preparation for TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo. Additional products include Business English for Professionals, One-to-One Instruction, and Holiday English travel programs. Signature Electives (Business English and Academic Skills) can be taken standalone or bundled with other programs. The school also offers Discover NYC Fridays as a cultural immersion activity included in tuition. Support services include student accommodation (homestay and residence options), F-1 visa support, and university pathway partnerships with 19 US institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• American English Tourist Program English language program with 20 lessons per week, designed for international students visiting New York City for a short time. Includes Speaking and Listening class and Integrated Skills class, focusing on essential English communication while allowing time for city exploration.
• American English Standard Program English immersion program with 24 lessons per week, requiring F-1 visa for international students. Includes Speaking and Listening and Integrated Skills classes for students seeking a comprehensive language learning experience.
• American English Intensive Program Full English immersion program with 32 lessons per week including Speaking and Listening Class, Integrated Skills Class, and Signature Elective Class. Requires F-1 visa and offers the most comprehensive language training offered by the school.
• University Admission Test Preparation (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo) Test preparation course designed to build reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo exams. Currently focuses on IELTS framework due to TOEFL 2026 format changes. Available in Part-Time and Full-Time (F-1 visa) options with 24 lessons per week.
• Business English for Professionals Business communication skills course covering networking, negotiation, telephoning, managing meetings, presentations, and business writing. Taught Monday to Thursday from 2:15pm to 4:15pm as part of Signature Electives.
• One-to-One Instruction Private English lessons with Manhattan Language teachers, available in-person or online. Lessons are 45 minutes each and can be customized for special schedules, goals, or interests. Priced at $85 per lesson or $800 for a ten-lesson package.
• Holiday English Combined English classes and cultural travel program. Includes one week of English classes plus 3-4 day trips to destinations like Boston and Coastal New England. All-inclusive pricing with transportation, accommodation, and travel insurance covered at $950.
• Student Accommodation Services Accommodation options including student residence (in Manhattan and Brooklyn with gym, kitchen, WiFi) and homestay programs (with breakfast included, optional dinner). Standard and premium homestay options available throughout New York City, with weekly pricing differentiated by location and meal plan.

Quantifiable outcome

• IELTS score improvement from 5.5 to 6.5 in 5 weeks
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• ShorelightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShorelight works with internationally friendly universities to recruit students globally. Partners with Manhattan Language to provide pathway programs for international students needing English proficiency.
• Mercy CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercy College in New York, NY offers over 90 academic programs across four convenient NYC metropolitan campus locations. Offers conditional acceptance to Manhattan Language students.
• Berkeley CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBerkeley College offers Associate's and Bachelor's degree programs plus internships, specializing in business programs from Business Administration to Fashion Marketing and Management.
• LIM CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIM College prepares students for careers in the business of fashion, fostering connections between real-world experience and academic study.
• NY Film AcademysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew York Film Academy offers degree programs in Filmmaking, Acting, Photography, Game Design, Visual or Performing Arts at Los Angeles CA and South Beach FL campuses.
• Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCNY offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, online learning, accelerated studies, and flexible schedules for working students.
• Monroe CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRanked most affordable college in NY State offering undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in business, hospitality management, culinary arts, computer science, criminal justice, and MBA programs.
• HULT International Business SchoolsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerHULT offers full-time and part-time MBA programs, undergraduate and graduate degrees at five campuses worldwide including Boston, MA.
• Full Sail UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull Sail offers Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees in media, entertainment, game design, and arts industries located in Winter Park, FL.
• Rider UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRider University offers 69 undergraduate and 25 graduate programs in business administration, education, liberal arts, sciences, fine and performing arts in Lawrenceville, NJ.
• Texas Christian University (TCU)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCU offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The Neeley School of Business is among the nation's top business schools in Fort Worth, TX.
• Concordia CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate liberal arts college offering 60+ majors and 12 pre-professional programs in medicine, law, engineering, and dentistry in Moorhead, MN.
• University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTop-ranked public liberal arts university offering undergraduate and graduate programs in Arts & Sciences, Business, Education & Human Sciences, and Nursing & Health Sciences.
• Quinnipiac UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate university with state-of-the-art facilities offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Hamden, CT.
• Post UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost University offers Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, known as a pioneer in online and hybrid degree programs including online MBA in Waterbury, CT.
• King's CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatholic comprehensive college in the liberal arts tradition founded in 1946, offering 37 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
• Evergreen State CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffordable, unique college where students design their pathway to a bachelor's degree by combining coursework from 60+ subjects in Olympia, WA.
• DeVry UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCareer-focused education offering Bachelor's and Master's programs on-campus and online at locations including NYC, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
• Edmonds Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffordable college offering Associate's and Certificate programs in Lynwood, WA.
• Westcliff UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate university in Irvine, CA and Miami, FL offering practical business, STEM and education bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees plus certificate programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• LSI (Language Studies International): International language school network with a New York campus offering intensive, standard, and academic English programs to international students. Comparable in F-1 visa programs, accommodation services, and university pathway focus.
• EF Education First: Global education company with intensive English programs in the US and worldwide, including New York-area offerings, plus pathway-style university preparation. Comparable in serving international ESL students with multi-week programs and standardized curriculum, though at vastly larger scale.
• St Giles International: Established UK-origin language school group with a New York campus offering general English, academic English, and test prep to international students. Comparable in core ESL offering, F-1 programs, and teacher-driven pedagogy, with broader global footprint.
• ELS Educational Services: Major US-based intensive English program operator with multiple US campuses including New York. Directly comparable in offering F-1-eligible intensive English, university pathway programs, and accommodation services at larger scale.
• Kaplan International Languages: Global ESL and test-prep operator with a long-established New York City campus offering intensive, standard, and TOEFL/IELTS preparation. Directly comparable in product portfolio (English programs, F-1 visa support, pathway partnerships) but with far broader geographic footprint and brand recognition.
• EC English Language Centres: Large international ESL chain with a New York school delivering general English, academic English, and test prep to international students. Directly comparable in core offering (ESL, F-1 visa-eligible programs, accommodation services) with broader geographic reach.

Emerging players

• Duolingo English Test: Online, AI-driven English proficiency testing product that is rapidly adopted by universities as an alternative to TOEFL/IELTS. Indirectly competes with Manhattan Language's test-prep revenue line and reshapes the broader ESL test-prep demand curve.

Direct peers

• Rennert International: NYC-based English language school founded in 1973 offering general English, test prep (TOEFL/IELTS), and Business English to international students. Closely comparable in NYC location, target segment (international students), product mix, and F-1 visa sponsorship model.
• Converse International School of Languages: San Diego-based ESL school with additional US locations offering general English, TOEFL/IELTS prep, and Business English to international students. Comparable in product portfolio and F-1 sponsorship, with regional rather than NYC focus.
• Zoni Language Centers: Privately held ESL operator with campuses in NYC and New Jersey offering intensive, standard, and TOEFL/IELTS preparation. Directly comparable in product, target market (international students), F-1 visa sponsorship, and accommodation services.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@manhattanlanguage
• Facebookfacebook.com/manhattanlanguage
• Instagraminstagram.com/manhattanlanguage
• Xx.com/learnenglishml

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 Manhattan Language