Brussels-Capital Region residents looking to expand their language skills now have a powerful, accessible tool at their fingertips.
Brulingua, the regional e-learning platform offering free language courses, is revolutionizing how residents learn new languages and gain vital skills.
Whether you’re eager to learn a new language or refresh your French or Dutch, Brulingua offers 22 languages free of charge, fostering greater multilingualism among the city’s diverse population.
A Platform for All
Launched in 2013 by the regional employment office Actiris, Brulingua was initially designed as a resource for jobseekers in Brussels, aiming to improve their employability.
The platform was developed in collaboration with Altissia, a Belgian e-learning company that specializes in language instruction, and was set up on a four-year rolling contract.
At first, Brulingua was accessible only to job seekers, but in a strategic shift four years ago, Actiris expanded the platform’s reach to all Brussels residents.
This decision reflects the changing realities of the job market. “It opened up to all residents because any employee can lose their job from one day to the next,” explains Frédéric Lahaut, educational coach at Altissia.
The uncertainty of the modern workforce, paired with the city’s multilingual environment, prompted this crucial shift in the platform’s access policies.
Brulingua’s mission is to enhance employability and integration by providing language learning resources tailored to local needs. It has quickly evolved from a niche tool for jobseekers to a broad-based educational platform accessible to anyone living in the region.
Multilingualism for the Masses
At launch, Brulingua offered courses in just four languages: French, Dutch, English, and German. However, the platform has expanded over the years to offer a wide range of languages, catering to the linguistic diversity of Brussels’ residents.
Now, users can study 22 languages, including variations such as North American English and Canadian French.
Despite this wide array of options, Dutch remains the most popular language on the platform, with 44% of users opting to learn it. French follows closely behind with 34%, and English ranks third at 26%.
Lahaut attributes this trend to the practical significance of these languages in the Belgian job market. “These are the three most important languages if you want to find a job in Belgium,” he states.
Since its expansion, Brulingua has seen an impressive surge in participation. Over 110,000 residents have registered, and between 2021 and 2023 alone, 55,000 new users signed up.
The registration rate continues to grow steadily, with an average of 1,500 new users each month. This growth underscores the increasing demand for language learning resources, particularly in a city as multicultural and linguistically varied as Brussels.
A Platform for Integration
Brulingua’s benefits extend beyond just language learners seeking professional development. The platform is also an essential tool for refugees and asylum seekers, who are often in urgent need of language skills to integrate into Belgian society.
Actiris, which runs Brulingua, also offers a broader integration program that includes language courses in French and Dutch, helping newcomers settle into life in Belgium.
For Lahaut and his team at Altissia, this social dimension is a core feature of Brulingua’s appeal. “It’s not just about learning a language; it’s about helping people integrate, find jobs, and feel part of the community,” Lahaut explains.
The platform’s inclusive nature reflects a commitment to fostering integration and social cohesion in Brussels, a city home to a wide array of nationalities and backgrounds.
Competitive Advantage
In today’s market, there are numerous language learning platforms available, ranging from apps like Duolingo to in-person language classes. However, Brulingua’s competitive advantage lies in its local focus and accessibility.
Unlike other platforms, Brulingua is completely free for residents, making it an attractive option for people of all financial backgrounds.
“We are a Belgium-based company, so we work with local stakeholders to develop professional vocabulary tailored to the Belgian market and its needs,” Lahaut points out.
The platform’s content is not only useful for personal enrichment but also focused on business-specific vocabulary, which is especially beneficial for people looking to improve their prospects in the Belgian workforce.
Moreover, Brulingua is designed for flexibility, allowing users to learn at their own pace. The platform offers both a website and a mobile app, enabling users to learn at home or on the go.
With interactive exercises, quizzes, videos, and live classes with small groups, learners have access to a comprehensive, engaging educational experience.
The ‘Speaky’ feature, which connects users with native speakers, is an invaluable tool for putting newly acquired language skills into practice in real-world situations.
Learning Made Accessible
One of Brulingua’s key strengths is its user-centric approach to learning. When registering, users are asked to complete an assessment test or enter their current level.
From there, they can select a course that fits their proficiency level. If they find the course too easy or too difficult, they can easily switch to another level, ensuring that each learner is always challenged appropriately.
Courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a widely used standard for assessing language proficiency across Europe.
This makes Brulingua an excellent choice for anyone looking to build language skills that are internationally recognized.
In addition to its comprehensive learning resources, Brulingua also offers live classes with teachers, providing students with the opportunity to ask questions, practice speaking, and receive personalized feedback.
While the platform is still unable to offer an officially recognized certificate upon completion of a course (due to verification issues), Lahaut hopes to implement a system that will eventually allow learners to earn formal certification.
Raising Awareness
Despite its many benefits, many residents of Brussels are still unaware that Brulingua is available to them. Lahaut notes that some people mistakenly believe that the platform is only for jobseekers.
“We try to promote the website through our social media channels, but it’s a challenge to get the word out to everyone who could benefit from it,” he says.
In addition to digital promotion, Lahaut emphasizes that the platform’s reach could be expanded through collaboration with local institutions, employers, and community organizations.
By raising awareness and encouraging wider participation, Brulingua has the potential to become an even more powerful tool for language learning and integration in Brussels.
Real-Life Impact: Success Stories
One such success story is that of Simon, a 50-year-old Irish resident who moved to Brussels a year ago. He has used Brulingua to refresh his French skills in preparation for an upcoming EU exam. “It’s so much better than Duolingo,” he says.
“Brulingua has videos, reading exercises, speaking practices, and tests all in a proper flow. It feels like you’re really learning and making progress, and there’s a sense of achievement.”
Simon’s experience highlights Brulingua’s effectiveness in providing a structured, goal-oriented learning path that makes language acquisition feel rewarding and measurable.
Looking to the Future
As Brussels continues to evolve into a more interconnected and multilingual city, platforms like Brulingua will play an increasingly vital role in helping residents adapt to the ever-changing job market.
The ability to speak multiple languages is a key asset in a city like Brussels, where English, French, Dutch, and a variety of other languages are commonly spoken.
Brulingua’s innovative, free, and flexible approach to language learning is shaping the future of multilingualism in Brussels, making it easier for people from all backgrounds to thrive in this dynamic, cosmopolitan environment.
As more residents discover the platform’s value, Brulingua is poised to become an integral part of life in the Brussels-Capital Region, helping its residents stay competitive, integrate into society, and connect with the world around them.
In the future, the team behind Brulingua hopes to continue expanding the platform’s offerings, increase awareness, and further solidify its place as a key educational tool for Brussels residents.
For now, it remains a testament to the power of technology in breaking down language barriers and building bridges in one of Europe’s most diverse cities.
