Kaplan International Languages
Sub-brand
UnclaimedAn international language-education brand offering English, French, German and Spanish courses, examination preparation, study-abroad programs and related student services.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
Kaplan International Languages is the language-education division of Kaplan, Inc., an international education company headquartered in London within the wider Kaplan group. The brand provides in-person and related study-abroad language programs for international students, with a network spanning English-speaking destinations and selected European markets. Its main teaching languages are English, French and German, while Spanish courses are also sold through a partnership with Enforex in Spain. The business developed from Kaplan's expansion into international language schools during the 2000s. A major step came in 2007, when Kaplan acquired Aspect Education, a London-based chain with 19 schools in six English-speaking countries. Aspect itself had roots going back to 1963 and had expanded through earlier acquisitions, including Angloworld Travel and International Language Academies. The combined operation was launched as Kaplan Aspect, with David Jones continuing as its chief executive. Further acquisitions in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States expanded the network in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, Kaplan Aspect was combined with Kaplan International Colleges, creating a broader international education division under Jones's leadership. The brand's scope later broadened beyond classroom language instruction. In 2012, Kaplan International acquired BEO Limited in Japan and Hands On Education Consultants in Thailand, adding student-recruitment capabilities. Kaplan also entered the UK secondary education market in 2015 through the acquisition of Mander Portman Woodward, although that activity is distinct from the language-school operation. In 2019, Kaplan International English was renamed Kaplan International Languages after the acquisition of Alpadia Language Schools and a partnership with Enforex. These transactions enabled the portfolio to cover English, French, German and Spanish programs and added schools and agency relationships in continental Europe. Kaplan International also acquired ESL Education Group in 2019, a Switzerland-based language agency that placed students into language programs. Kaplan International Languages offers general and intensive language courses of different lengths, long-term study programs, business English, academic English and examination preparation. Depending on destination and program, students may combine language study with internships or paid work placements. Examination preparation covers internationally recognized tests and qualifications such as IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English, DELF/DALF, TELC, Goethe and DELE, as well as selected academic-admissions examinations including GMAT and SAT. The brand also offers age-oriented programs such as Study 30+ at selected schools in New York, London, Liverpool and Toronto. The school network described in the reference material comprises 39 schools: 35 English-as-a-foreign-language and English-for-academic-purposes sites, plus four French and German schools, across nine countries. Destinations include major cities and university centers such as London, Cambridge, Oxford, Dublin, Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Lyon, Biarritz, Berlin, Freiburg and Montreux. Spanish courses are marketed through four Enforex-owned locations in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga and Valencia. Kaplan's wider international education activities also include Kaplan International Pathways, which prepares international students for university entry through partnerships with universities in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and New Zealand. Although Pathways is a separate business from Kaplan International Languages, both sit within Kaplan International's broader portfolio of cross-border education services. The group has also invested in student accommodation and teaching facilities connected with partner universities. The COVID-19 pandemic materially affected Kaplan International's business because gover…
History
Kaplan International Languages emerged from Kaplan's expansion into international education and language schools. Its wider corporate context includes Kaplan, Inc., an education company whose international operations encompass language schools, university pathway programs, recruitment agencies and related student services. The modern international language-school network was substantially shaped by Kaplan's 2007 acquisition of Aspect Education. Aspect was headquartered in London and had developed a chain of 19 schools in six English-speaking countries. Its earlier history extended to 1963 and included growth through the acquisition of Angloworld Travel and International Language Academies. After the transaction, the combined business was named Kaplan Aspect, with David Jones retaining executive responsibility. Additional acquisitions in 2008 and 2009 expanded the network in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2009, Kaplan Aspect was merged into Kaplan International Colleges. This brought the language-school operation closer to Kaplan's international university-pathway activities. Kaplan had begun opening pathway colleges in the United Kingdom and overseas earlier in the decade, including a first university pathway college at Nottingham Trent University in 2005, followed by colleges associated with the universities of Glasgow and Liverpool and international pathway activity in the United States and Australia in 2007. The language-school and pathway businesses subsequently remained related components of Kaplan International while serving different student needs. Kaplan International broadened its transnational education capabilities in 2012 by acquiring BEO Limited in Japan and Hands On Education Consultants in Thailand. These acquisitions added recruitment and counselling operations in important Asian markets. The business also entered the UK sixth-form and secondary education market in 2015 through the purchase of Mander Portman Woodward, although that company represented a separate educational activity from the language-school network. A major reconfiguration occurred in 2019. Kaplan International English changed its name to Kaplan International Languages after Kaplan acquired Alpadia Language Schools, a Swiss-owned language-school group, and established a partnership with Enforex, a major Spanish-language education provider in Spain and Latin America. The changes expanded the brand's language portfolio from primarily English to English, French, German and Spanish. Kaplan International also acquired ESL Education Group, a Swiss language agency that supported student placements into language programs. Spanish courses were subsequently marketed through Enforex-owned schools in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga and Valencia. The resulting Kaplan International Languages network has been described as comprising 39 schools in nine countries, including 35 English-as-a-foreign-language and English-for-academic-purposes schools and four French and German schools. English destinations include cities in Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and the United States. French and German locations include Lyon, Biarritz, Berlin, Freiburg and Montreux. The business also offers a Study 30+ format at selected schools in New York, London, Liverpool and Toronto. Course development has centered on flexibility in duration and intensity. Students can choose general or intensive language instruction, long-term programs, academic English, business English and examination preparation. Courses may prepare students for IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge examinations, DELF/DALF, TELC, Goethe and DELE, as well as selected admissions examinations such as GMAT and SAT. In some destinations, language tuition can be combined with internships or paid work placements. Accommodation and student support are also integral to the study-abroad proposition. Kaplan's international operations were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic because travel restrictions sharply reduced cross-border student movement. Kaplan International revenue reportedly fell 13% in 2020 to US$654 million, though it still represented about half of Kaplan, Inc.'s total revenue. The reference material identifies Kaplan International as a division of Kaplan, Inc., wholly owned by Inspirit Capital, a UK investment firm. Kaplan International Languages continues to operate as the group's specialist language-education brand, supported by accreditation or quality-recognition arrangements in several national markets.
- 2020
Pandemic-related revenue decline
[1]Travel restrictions associated with COVID-19 contributed to a reported 13% fall in Kaplan International revenue to US$654 million.
- 2019
Kaplan International English became Kaplan International Languages
[1]The brand adopted its current name after the Alpadia acquisition and an Enforex partnership broadened its language portfolio.
- 2019
Acquisition of ESL Education Group
[1]Kaplan International acquired the Switzerland-based ESL Education Group, a language-program agency.
- 2015
Entry into the UK sixth-form sector
[1]Kaplan acquired Mander Portman Woodward, a sixth-form college group with schools in London, Cambridge and Birmingham.
- 2012
Expansion into Asian student recruitment
[1]Kaplan International acquired BEO Limited in Japan and Hands On Education Consultants in Thailand.
- 2009
Creation of the consolidated Kaplan International Colleges division
[1]Kaplan Aspect was merged into Kaplan International Colleges.
- 2007
Acquisition of Aspect Education
[1]Kaplan acquired Aspect Education and launched Kaplan Aspect, adding an international network of English-language schools.
- 2005
First Kaplan university pathway college
[1]Kaplan opened its first university pathway college at Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom.
- 1963
Origins of the Aspect language-school business
[1]Aspect Education, whose later acquisition helped form Kaplan Aspect, traced its origins to 1963.
Products and positioning
A global, destination-based language-learning and study-abroad provider combining language instruction, examination preparation, academic English, accommodation and selected work or internship pathways.
Language instruction
General English courses
English-as-a-foreign-language courses are offered at destinations across the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Course formats vary in duration and intensity, allowing students to select shorter study trips, intensive programs or longer routes toward advanced fluency.
Language instruction · 2019
French and German courses
Kaplan International Languages offers French and German instruction through locations added or strengthened through the Alpadia business. Listed destinations include Lyon, Biarritz, Berlin, Freiburg and Montreux, providing language study in France, Germany and Switzerland.
Language instruction · 2019
Spanish courses through Enforex
Spanish-language programs are marketed through Enforex-owned schools in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga and Valencia. The partnership broadened Kaplan International's language offering beyond English, French and German.
Test preparation
Examination preparation
Preparation programs support language and academic examinations including IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English, DELF/DALF, TELC, Goethe and DELE, with additional preparation for examinations such as GMAT and SAT. The exact availability varies by language, destination and school.
Professional language training
Business English
Business English courses combine general language development with workplace-oriented lessons. They are designed for learners seeking communication skills applicable to professional and commercial settings.
Adult language education
Study 30+
Study 30+ is an age-oriented format for adult learners available at selected English-language schools, including New York Central Park, London Leicester Square, Liverpool and Toronto. It combines language tuition with a peer group and destination-based study experience.
Study-abroad services
Work and internship combinations
In selected destinations, students can combine language classes with internships or paid work placements. These programs extend the study-abroad proposition beyond classroom instruction, although availability and eligibility depend on local rules and program conditions.
Brand decisions
2019
Acquisition of Alpadia and expansion of the multilingual portfolioM&ABackground
Kaplan International English wanted its brand and product scope to reflect language offerings beyond English.
Action taken
Kaplan acquired Alpadia Language Schools, partnered with Enforex and renamed Kaplan International English as Kaplan International Languages.
Aftermath
The brand added French, German and Spanish offerings to its established English-language portfolio.
2019
Acquisition of ESL Education GroupM&ABackground
Kaplan International was expanding both direct teaching operations and student-placement capabilities.
Action taken
It acquired ESL Education Group, a Switzerland-based language-education agency.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Kaplan International's language-program recruitment and agency network in Europe.
2009
Merger of Kaplan Aspect into Kaplan International CollegesStrategyBackground
Kaplan had developed both language-school and university-pathway operations for international students.
Action taken
Kaplan combined Kaplan Aspect with Kaplan International Colleges.
Aftermath
The consolidation placed language schools within a broader international education structure.
2007
Acquisition and integration of Aspect EducationM&ABackground
Kaplan sought to expand its English-language-school network beyond its mainly US-based operations.
Action taken
It acquired Aspect Education and launched the combined business as Kaplan Aspect.
Aftermath
The transaction created a multi-country school network that was later expanded through further acquisitions and merged into Kaplan International Colleges in 2009.
Recent events
- 2020
COVID-19 travel restrictions reduced Kaplan International revenue[1]
Other
Government travel restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international student mobility. Kaplan International revenue was reported to have declined 13% to US$654 million in 2020.
- 2019
Kaplan International English renamed Kaplan International Languages[1]
M&A · Product generation
Following the acquisition of Alpadia Language Schools and a partnership with Enforex, the former Kaplan International English brand adopted the Kaplan International Languages name to reflect its broader multilingual offering.
- 2019
Kaplan International acquired ESL Education Group[1]
M&A
Kaplan International acquired ESL Education Group, a Switzerland-based language-education agency that arranged language programs for more than 25,000 students annually according to the reference material.
- 2015
Kaplan International acquired Mander Portman Woodward[1]
M&A
Kaplan entered the UK secondary-school and sixth-form sector by acquiring Mander Portman Woodward, which operated schools in London, Cambridge and Birmingham.
- 2012
Kaplan International acquired BEO and Hands On Education Consultants[1]
M&A
The company acquired student-recruitment agencies in Japan and Thailand, strengthening its ability to recruit and advise students travelling internationally for education.
- 2009
Kaplan Aspect merged into Kaplan International Colleges[1]
M&A
Kaplan consolidated its international language-school and university-pathway operations into a larger Kaplan International Colleges division.
- 2008
Kaplan Aspect expanded through additional language-school acquisitions[1]
M&A
The business added language-school operations in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States as it built a broader international network.
- 2007
Kaplan Aspect launched following acquisition of Aspect Education[1]
M&A
Kaplan expanded its international English-language-school business by acquiring Aspect Education, a 19-school network operating across six English-speaking countries. The combined operation was launched as Kaplan Aspect.
Sources2 sources
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