Brulingua to add 21 additional languages to free learning platform

Brulingua, the language-learning platform in Brussels, is expanding its current offer of four languages to 24. The new lessons will become available on 19 October.

Brulingua is run by Actiris, Brussels’ jobs training and employment agency. It offers free online language lessons to Brussels residents, with the option to augment them with live classroom sessions or personalised coaching.

Launched eight years ago, Brulingua has always offered French, Dutch, German and English. But now it will add 21 languages to the mix, including many European tongues, such as Spanish, Greek and Italian. But it will also offer world languages such as Russian and Arabic.

Job-ready

“A lack of language skills is one of the factors when it comes to jobs for which there are too few candidates,” said Brussels labour minister Bernard Clerfayt. “This is certainly the case when it comes to administrative positions, receptionists and sales positions.”

Other changes are also coming to the Brulingua platform and app, according to Actiris director-general Caroline Mancel. “We are investing in tools to give job-seekers an extra weapon in their arsenal,” she said. “Over the coming months, we are going to roll out a number of updates. Users will be able to challenge themselves and access more interactive classes and activities in ‘real life’, such as quizzes and language tables.”

Another significant change to the Brulingua site and app: All the information will be offered in 32 languages instead of the current French, Dutch and English. “It’s pretty silly to ask people who live in Brussels who don’t speak French or Dutch to learn the languages on a platform that is only offered in French or Dutch,” said Clerfayt.

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