"I have been a Berlitz franchisee for nearly five years now, opening the first Centre in April 2000. It has been a very educational and rewarding experience, and I would recommend it to people who fit the profile.

"As a means to make a sharp profit, clearly investing in education is not going to come top of the list. There are many other franchise opportunities that are more obvious: pizza chains come to mind, or personal finance or property. But if you have an interest and background in teaching or languages, investing with Berlitz can offer a rewarding and satisfying professional career, in charge of your own destiny. There is sufficient profit, in any case, and the capital commitments are not huge.

"Importantly, you find yourself constantly traveling – in actual fact, and metaphorically through the contact with your clients and the languages they speak or are learning. Your Centre becomes a sort of miniature United Nations – a gathering point for like-minded curious people to meet and exchange skills. If you really want to be idealistic, there are times listening in to the conversations around you when you can actually believe that your work through Berlitz really is ‘helping the world communicate’, as their advertising states.

"I was put through several trainings before being let loose with the Berlitz brand: two weeks in Princeton HQ, two weeks sales training in Vienna in the snow, a week in Brussels, and even a day or two in local London. Visits to the then European HQ in Frankfurt fitted in, and senior staff from all these places have subsequently visited me and helped at all the stages – from selecting premises to Opening Parties to training teachers and sales staff. There is always someone there when you need help, even now.

"I now have four Centres, all still quite small, but growing steadily. I am pleased I work in my own business, but I realise it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. I have earned more in the past, but not since university have I felt I was learning more."