Photo Credit: Jewish Press
Maximilian Berlitz (1852-1921) gave his name to the first Berlitz School of Languages founded in 1878 in Providence, Rhode Island and to the allegedly unique âBerlitz methodâ of language instruction, the essence of which is the rejection of rote language learning, tedious memorization exercises, and grammar drills in favor of a conversational, usage-driven approach.
One of his most famous students was Kaiser William II, to whom he taught English and who put him in charge of teaching French to cadets at Germanyâs military academy in Potsdam. He went on to create a company that made his name synonymous with foreign language instruction in the United States and worldwide.