Berlitz Virtual Classroom - Case Studies

BA Tobacco Norway

The initial phase has gone very well, and there is no doubt that language training from BVC has played a vital role in this. Both girls are fully integrated at school, and have no significant problems following lessons in English. I would very much like to commend the instructors who have worked with Hanne and Marianne. They have done a fantastic job, and have kept motivation at the highest level. Marianne, in particular, thinks it's very sad that she will no longer have the weekly conversations with her instructors. They have both lost a couple of lessons due to technical and logistical problems through holidays, but the plan to take the lessons over the internet has been optimal. It has given us the flexibility to be able to make the most of the summer at the same time as allowing the girls to take their course with Berlitz.

Karl Ole Stornes, The Netherlands

In July 2008 the Norwegian company Tiedemanns Tobak, a leading producer of tobacco related products, was bought and taken over by British American Tobacco. Much of the internal communication was changed into English, which presented a challange for many of their employees.

The Project

To offer lessons to all employees spread throughout Norway often in distance locations
To improve knowledge and confidence in using English at work
To optimise the available budget through group lessons (4 students per group)

Concerns

Attendance for sales representatives traveling 2-3 days a week
Would it work with a majority of students at low levels?

First Step

Meeting with BAT representative to introduce Berlitz Virtual Classroom
Presentation of recommendation

Results

Acceptation of 15 groups of 3-5 students
Frame agreement for 2 years signed

Organisation

A presentation was held for about 40 of the participants introducing the program
All students took a Berlitz online proficiency test to evaluate their level
All students were given the option of a schedule of lessons once or twice a week
Berlitz Norway created the groups based on the test results and the preferred schedule
Final scheduling managed by Berlitz Virtual Classroom

Results

Enthusiastic and positive feedback from the vast majority of students:
Excellent instructors
Confidence grew
Enjoyed high focus on speaking
Group was well balanced
No travel time made it easier to follow the course