Linguaphone Group relaunches Direct English training program franchise for adults in Indonesia

The Linguaphone Group’s world-renowned English language program for adults, Direct English, was relaunched yesterday in Indonesia by PT. Direct Language Solutions (DLS), the new Master Franchisee of Direct English.

In the presence of Ms Rebecca Razavi, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General for Indonesia and Timor Leste at the British Embassy in Jakarta, the launch showcased a new edition of the world-renowned Direct English training program now available for use across the Indonesian retail and corporate English language training market.

The launch event also formally announced PT. Direct Language Solutions (DLS), a member of ITC Group of Companies, as the new, exclusive Direct English Master Franchisee for the Linguaphone Group across Indonesia.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr Matthew Brown, New Business Manager with the Linguaphone Group said: “DLS already has an impressive reputation in the Indonesian language training market, having provided English language training to the Indonesian workforce and student population since 2004. They have proven themselves as a strong partner for our pre-school English language franchise, Pingu’s English and we are delighted to now also work with them to bring our new edition of our first-class Direct English to the Indonesian market too. We very much look forward to working with them to bring both of our strong international English language training brands to student’s young and old across Indonesia in the months and years ahead.”

DLS also outlined during the launch how they plan to train and test thousands of students across Indonesia using the Linguaphone Group’s prestigious nine-level English language program. Under a new global collaboration between the Linguaphone Group and the University of Cambridge (ESOL), DLS were also formally announced as an official agent for Cambridge English Language Assessment’s BULATS tests at the event. Through this arrangement, Direct English students across Indonesia will now also be able to gain a qualification within a Direct English center and see exactly how their English language skills match up to an internationally recognised standard.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Rebecca Razavi, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General for Indonesia and Timor Leste at the British Embassy in Jakarta said: “I am delighted to be present at the launch of one of the UK’s strongest international English language learning brands in Indonesia – Direct English. High-quality English language training is crucial to Indonesia’s development as a global economic player. UK companies lead the world in providing excellent and imaginative English language training. The British Embassy and UK Trade & Investment in particular are pleased to have been part of this story and I wish Direct English Indonesia huge success.”

MrVictor Chan, CEO of Direct English Indonesia said: “We at DLS are thrilled to relaunch Direct English in Indonesia. We really like the new edition of Direct English and believe that it will work wonderfully well in Indonesia. English language learning is becoming increasingly important and popular in this country, and the need for a good quality English language learning resource is immense. DLS is confident that we will do a good job in reaching out to Indonesian English language learners and improving their proficiency in Direct English. Beyond the capital city, we also plan to bring Direct English to the provinces, to reflect the steady progress and transformation already happening across the country.”

Mr Matthew Brown, New Business Manager with the Linguaphone Group concluded: “The Linguaphone Group would also like to pay tribute to the strong and continued support that we have received from UKTI Indonesia in the last few years in both facilitating and nurturing the relationship between the Linguaphone Group and ITC Group. Their unwavering support and first-class professionalism has been invaluable.”

Initially created in 1997, the Linguaphone Group’s Direct English training program, combines highly interactive bilingual materials, with an enhanced program of personalised tutorials and conversation classes, and provides high-quality language training for beginners through to the senior executive. The program already delivers world-class English language training for all abilities to corporate and retail clients alike, through a network of franchised partners across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

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For all media enquiries, please contact

Charlotte Pritchard, Head of Marketing, Linguaphone Group E-mail: sarah.cole@linguaphonegroup.com Tel: +44 (0)20 8687 6115 Mobile: +44 (0)7799 723 218

Notes to editors:

Direct English is delivered through a network of Master Franchisees in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information on Direct English Master Franchise opportunities worldwide, please visit http://www.directenglish.com/licensing_master-franchise.htm or email opportunities@directenglish.com

The Linguaphone Group is a global language training provider, operating under the internationally recognised Linguaphone, Direct English and Pingu’s English brand names. With over 109 years of experience, the Group has an extensive network of licensed partners across Asia, Europe, the Middle-East and Africa. The Group has also helped millions of people learn a new language through their wide-ranging portfolio of self-study products sold in over 60 countries worldwide. For more information visit linguaphonegroup.com

Cambridge English Language Assessment) offers the world’s most valuable range of English qualifications. Cambridge English is part of Cambridge Assessment, a not-for-profit department of the University of Cambridge and Europe’s largest educational assessment organisation. Cambridge English Language Assessment develops the Cambridge English suite of English tests which are recognised by more than 14,000 organisations around the world including universities and colleges, commercial organisations and government departments.

The Linguaphone Group welcomes the support from the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the British Embassy in Indonesia through their Overseas Market Information Service (OMIS) who helped secure the initial partnership with International Test Center (ITC).

About UK Trade & Investment -UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UKs economy acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk. For latest press releases, visit the online newsroom at www.ukti.gov.uk/media.