Proper Languages Sa

What Proper Languages Sa does

PROPER Languages SA is a Geneva-based Swiss language training provider founded in 2000 by Ruth Avison originally as PEP English and rebranded to PROPER Languages in 2020-2021. It serves two primary customer groups: corporate clients across regulated Swiss verticals (banking, luxury/watchmaking, healthcare/pharma, hospitality, engineering, public sector) and individual learners seeking personal or professional language development. The company delivers training in 13+ languages (French, English, German, Swiss German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Arabic, Turkish) through three physical classrooms in Geneva (centre, Veyrier, Meyrin), Switzerland-wide online training, and a customized e-learning platform. The platform is built per client to reflect their industry, working environment, and real communication scenarios, and includes interactive modules, pronunciation exercises, and role-based scenarios.

The company complements its training offering with CEFR-aligned language assessment services (Basic CHF 30, Comprehensive CHF 75), preparation courses for official certifications (Cambridge, IELTS, Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, DELF/DALF, DELE, FIDE, CELPE-Bras, CELI, CILS, HSK, TRKI, TÖMER), professional translation and proofreading, multilingual voice-over, and integration/expatriation support packages. Pricing is split between custom quotes for corporate programs and catalog-based pricing for individuals, with Swiss cantonal subsidies covering 30-70% of training costs. The portfolio is supported by sector-specialized trainers (20+ coaches with international diplomas), eduQua certification, and a partner network spanning Cambridge English, IDP/IELTS, Goethe-Institut, FIDE, and French/Spanish ministries.

The business is sales-led, combining personalized consultation for enterprise clients with catalog-based self-service for individual learners. Distribution is multi-channel: direct enterprise sales for in-company and online programs, website catalog for individuals, and partnerships with the Canton of Geneva (since 2005), OCAS (since 2006), Lux Geneva Association (2024), and the Integration and Citizenship Office (2024). Notable enterprise clients include Vacheron Constantin, Omega, Lloyds Bank, Swiss National Bank, L'Oréal, McCann, Labcorp, Favarger, and Transports publics genevois. The company remains privately held, self-funded, and operates exclusively within Switzerland.

Name

Proper Languages Sa

Legal name

PROPER LANGUAGES SA

Website

https://properlanguages.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PROPER Languages SA is a Geneva-based Swiss language training provider founded in 2000, delivering customized corporate language programs, individual courses in 13+ languages, and bespoke e-learning platforms to enterprise clients and private learners across Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Training Services

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Translation and Interpretation Services (54193), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Language Schools & Institutes (EDAMAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Language Proficiency Exam Prep (CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, PTE) (EDANACAD), Accent Reduction, Pronunciation & Fluency Coaching (EDAMAFAJ), Language Learning Centers (ESL/EFL & World Languages) (EDANAHAG)

Keywords

• Corporate language training
• Individual language courses
• Language skills assessment
• Exam preparation services
• Custom e-learning platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Meyrin

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

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. Corporate Language Training: Professional language training services for companies including individual coaching, group training, intensive courses, and exam preparation. Billed per course or training program, typically custom quotation based on scope and duration.
2. Individual Language Courses: Courses for individuals covering general, professional, intensive, and conversation formats. Offered in multiple languages (French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, Turkish). Revenue from course fees.
3. Language Skills Assessment: Basic assessment (CHF 30) for fast online evaluation and comprehensive assessment (CHF 75) for in-depth evaluation with individual interview. Revenue from per-person assessment fees.
4. Custom E-Learning Solutions: Bespoke e-learning platform development and deployment for corporate clients. Available as complement to training or standalone self-study solution.
5. Professional Translation and Proofreading: Professional translation, editing and proofreading services for corporate materials including brochures, websites, marketing materials and internal documents.
6. Professional Voice-over Services: Multilingual voice-over services for videos, presentations, e-learning modules and corporate content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Proper Languages SA is a Swiss language training school headquartered in Geneva that delivers personalized language courses across 13+ languages (French, English, German, Swiss German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Arabic, Turkish) to both individual learners and corporate clients. Offerings include individual coaching, group courses, intensive programs, exam preparation (Cambridge, IELTS, Goethe, DELF/DALF, DELE, FIDE, HSK, CELPE-Bras), language skills assessments, a custom corporate e-learning platform, professional translation/proofreading, and multilingual voice-over services.

Product overview

PROPER Languages is a Swiss language training provider headquartered in Geneva, offering a comprehensive portfolio of human-centered language education services. The core offering consists of Language Training for Individuals (private courses in 13 languages) and Corporate Language Training programs for businesses. The portfolio is enhanced by complementary modules including a Custom E-Learning Platform for blended learning, Language Skills Assessment services (Basic and Comprehensive tiers), specialized exam preparation courses (Cambridge, IELTS, Goethe, DELF, DELE, Fide, HSK, and other certifications), Let's Talk conversation sessions, Public Speaking training, Integration/Expatriation Packs, Professional Translation Services, and Professional Voice-over capabilities. The company holds eduQua certification and offers access to Swiss cantonal training subsidies. Services are delivered across three physical locations in Geneva (Rue du Stand), Veyrier (Chemin de Castelver), and Meyrin (Route du Nant-d'Avril), as well as online throughout Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Language Training for Individuals Personalized language courses for private adults in 13+ languages, offered as group courses, private/semi-private lessons, intensive programs, conversation workshops, and online sessions.
• Corporate Language Training Tailored language training programs for companies across banking, luxury/watchmaking, hospitality, pharma, construction and other sectors, including individual coaching, group sessions, intensive courses, and on-site delivery.
• Custom E-Learning Solutions Fully customized corporate e-learning platform with interactive modules, pronunciation exercises, and professional role-based scenarios, available in English, French, German and other languages; can complement training or operate as standalone self-study.
• Language Skills Assessment CEFR-aligned adaptive language proficiency evaluation offered in Basic format (CHF 30, online test, 20-30 minutes) and Comprehensive format (CHF 75, includes 15-minute video interview and detailed written/oral report).
• Exam Preparation Courses Preparation courses for official language certifications including Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), IELTS, Goethe-Zertifikat, telc, DELF/DALF, DELE, FIDE, CELPE-Bras, CAPLE, CELI, CILS, HSK, TRKI, and TÖMER.
• Professional Translation and Proofreading Services Professional translation, editing, and proofreading of brochures, websites, marketing materials and internal documents in French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian and other languages.
• Professional Multilingual Voice-over Services Multilingual voice-over services for videos, presentations, e-learning modules and corporate content in French, English, German, Italian and other languages, including script adaptation and voice selection.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% exam success rate maintained over 20+ years for official language certifications including Goethe, DELF/DALF, DELE, Cambridge, IELTS, FIDE, HSK, CELPE-Bras, CELI, CILS, TRKI, TÖMER
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, moderate and core.

• Emmanuel Episcopal Church GenevaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for language courses for refugees, supporting integration efforts in Geneva community.
• Lux Geneva AssociationmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Lux Geneva association for luxury sector language training and professional development.
• Integration and Citizenship OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Canton of Geneva's Integration and Citizenship Office for integration language programs.
• Private University (Partnership)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with a private university for language training services and academic collaboration.
• Green Flower FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership for training initiatives in Ethiopia. International development focus supporting language education abroad.
• Cantonal Office of Social Insurance (OCAS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Partnership with Cantonal Office of Social Insurance for employee language training services.
• Canton of GenevacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Partnership established in 2005 for language training services. Canton serves as reference client and provides legitimacy in Swiss public sector market.
• Cambridge English / IELTScoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized exam preparation center for Cambridge English certifications (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), IELTS, and TOEIC. Trainers include official examiners.
• Goethe-Institut / telccoreTechnology or IntegrationPreparation courses for Goethe-Zertifikat and telc German language certifications.
• FIDE (Swiss Integration Agency)coreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial partner for FIDE language tests and integration exams for Swiss residence/work permits.
• DELF/DALF (French Ministry)coreTechnology or IntegrationPreparation for DELF and DALF French language diplomas awarded by French Ministry of Education.
• DELE (Spanish Ministry)coreTechnology or IntegrationPreparation for DELE Spanish language diplomas administered by Spanish Ministry.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Babbel: Subscription-based language learning platform offering 14+ languages with self-paced courses and live classes. Adjacent competitor to PROPER Languages in the Swiss market, especially for individual learners seeking flexible online learning alternatives.
• Lingoda: Online-first language school offering live group and private classes with native-speaker teachers across multiple languages. Comparable online delivery model and group/individual course formats to PROPER Languages, with stronger tech-led scalability.

Broad incumbents

• Berlitz Corporation: Global language training and corporate language services provider offering in-person and online courses across 50+ languages with executive coaching. Comparable business model to PROPER Languages' corporate language training with similar small-group and individual formats.
• British Council Switzerland: Official UK cultural organization delivering English language courses and IELTS preparation in Switzerland. Comparable to PROPER Languages' English training and IDP/IELTS testing center operations, but with stronger global brand and institutional backing.
• EF Education First: Global private education company offering language courses, academic programs, and corporate language training across 50+ countries. Comparable enterprise language training offering to PROPER Languages but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Goethe-Institut: Global German language and cultural institution with official Goethe-Zertifikat preparation and testing. PROPER Languages is a Goethe preparation partner; comparable as a German language training and exam certification provider but operating at much larger global scale.
• Wall Street English: International English language school chain with blended online and in-center methodology, focused on adult professional learners. Comparable hybrid delivery model (in-person + online/e-learning) to PROPER Languages' hybrid Active Learning format.

Regional players

• Club École Migros (Genève): Swiss language school chain operated by Migros with locations across French-speaking Switzerland including Geneva. Comparable Swiss regional language school serving both individuals and corporate clients with similar course catalog approach.

Direct peers

• Alliance Française de Genève: Geneva-based French language school offering French courses, certifications (DELF/DALF), and cultural programming. Directly comparable to PROPER Languages as a Geneva-anchored language school serving both individuals and corporate clients with similar course formats and exam prep offerings.
• Inlingua International: International language school franchise with locations worldwide including Switzerland, offering courses in 20+ languages with corporate training focus. Closely comparable to PROPER Languages in target customer (corporate + individual), course format, and exam preparation offerings.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/p/Proper-Languages-100091932017459
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/proper-languages
• Instagraminstagram.com/properlanguages
• TikToktiktok.com/@proper.languages

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Proper Languages Sa