The Italian-owned English language school chain, Professional Linguistic Upper Studies (PLUS), is breaking out of the junior language market with ambitious new expansion plans: it is launching an academic pathway operation in the USA, a kindergarten in China and two adult language schools in Spain next year.
In January 2012, the school opens its first university pathway operation in partnership with Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. PLUS’s on-campus operation includes 80 student dorms, meaning on-site accommodation and access to all the on-campus facilities for its students. It will offer a general pathway at US$7,000 per semester and a certificate in business at US$8,100, with successful completion of each course guaranteeing progression to the east coast university.
And Riccardo Marra, Managing Director in charge of strategic developments and acquisition, told The PIE that further expansion was on the horizon, with a second school in Manhattan, New York and third in San Francisco also on the cards by early 2013. Expansion had been a plan for many years, he said, “but we never found the right location and the right product to develop . Then in 2010, after significant research, we have identified the right partner and we were finally able to start our international expansion which we expect to grow in the future.”
In addition, the company is launching two Spanish language schools in Seville and Cordoba, Spain, as well as a kindergarten school in China with a local partner in 2012. The kindergarten school will have a dedicated methodology for young learners with a kinesthetic approach to learning, planned for September next year.
In Spain, Marra said, “the opportunity presented itself” and both schools are opening in January, specialising in general and intensive Spanish courses. “As well as Spanish classes, students will be able to participate in Flamenco lessons and tours to Madrid etc.,” said Marra.
PLUS has been running junior summer camps since 1972, with operations in Europe and North America. The expansion takes its international network to 40 locations in eight countries.
