Custom Language Services

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Custom Language Services provides a wide range of language and intercultural training for government organizations, global business, and individuals across multiple industries and sectors.

Custom Language & Intercultural Training 

Personalized Programs for Global Professionals, 
Diplomats & World Travelers

Our customized language and intercultural communication programs focus on developing your language skills and cultural competence, which are essential for building lasting relationships, mutual understanding, and strategic partnerships across diverse cultural contexts.

Whether you’re a diplomat preparing for a posting abroad, a business executive navigating cross-cultural negotiations, or a global traveler seeking deeper cultural connection, our customized language and intercultural communication programs are built to match your goals, schedule, and field of interest.

We specialize in personalized, flexible training that helps you communicate confidently in real-world global contexts, whether at high-level negotiations, in international classrooms, across borders, or in daily life overseas.

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Who We Serve 

Our clients Include: 

Our flexible programs are designed for individuals, small groups, and organizations seeking to enhance professional development, operational readiness, or personal growth.

Three students looking at a computer

Core Program Features

Fully Customized Curriculum tailored to your goals, industry, and cultural context

Flexible Delivery Options: online, in-person, or hybrid formats with scheduling that fits your life

Expert Instructors with deep experience in language education and cross-cultural communication

Real-World Focus using authentic materials, case studies, and expert insights

A Breadth of Language Options including English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, and others by request

Areas of Focus

Communication & Intercultural Skills

  • Diplomatic negotiation and public diplomacy
  • Business negotiations and multicultural team leadership
  • Conflict resolution and cross-border relationship management
  • Public speaking and persuasive communication
  • Meetings and professional communication
  • Field-specific content and terminology 

Specialized Language Training

  • Cybersecurity Communication (English, Spanish)
  • Disaster Management Communication (English)
  • Journalism (English)
  • International Business (Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, English, etc)
  • US-China Intercultural Communication in Business (Chinese, English)
  • Strategic Empathy (Russian)
  • Agribusiness (Spanish)
  • East Asian Soft Power (Chinese, Japanese)
  • Education and Globalization (Spanish)
  • Sustainable Development Goals (Spanish)
  • Human Rights and Global Equity (French)
  • Geopolitics and Media (French)
    …and more

Practical Skills for Travelers & Expats

  • Survival language for everyday interactions
  • Cultural etiquette and communication norms
  • Travel-ready conversation skills
  • Confidence-building for global mobility

Sample Customized Programs

Language for Diplomacy: Advanced English, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese with a combination of graduate-level coursework and tailored one-on-one instruction

Business Negotiation for Non-native English Speakers: Practical skills for meetings, presentations, and relationship building

Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) Preparation: Intensive training customized to your level and language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, etc)

Survival Language for Travelers: Essential phrases and cultural norms for everyday interactions abroad (various languages)

Cross-Cultural Leadership Workshops: Build cultural intelligence and manage global teams effectively 

Image of 4 adults at a wooden conference table, only showing their hands, as they take notes as if in a meeting

Our Success with Clients and Partners

We take pride in our history of successful collaborations. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege to work with a diverse range of clients and partners, each with unique language and intercultural training needs. Our commitment to excellence has resulted in lasting relationships and impactful outcomes. A few of our past partnerships include:

Chevron Global
Motorola
East European Mission Network
Driscoll’s
Newton Farms
Trading Organics USA (Sunopta)
Taylor Farms California
Steinbeck Country Produce
China Silicon Valley Association

Palomarin Consulting Group LLC
Goldman Sachs
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Navy
U.S. Army
U.S. Air Force
Various Ministries of Foreign Affairs

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Get Started on Your Custom Program

Programs are available year-round, start within three weeks of application, and are designed with a minimum of 60 hours—fully tailored in length and intensity to your needs.

Enhance your ability to communicate effectively and build strong intercultural partnerships—wherever your work or travels take you.

Inquire Now

Email: executiveprograms@middlebury.edu
Phone: (831) 647-4115

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Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Language Services

The time it takes to learn a new language can vary significantly based on several factors, including your prior language-learning experience, the complexity of the language, the intensity of your training, and your personal dedication. We offer flexible language programs to accommodate various needs.

For individuals or small groups, our programs typically consist of a minimum of 60 hours of instruction. The exact duration of your language-learning journey will depend on your goals and the proficiency level you aim to achieve. Keep in mind that language learning is an ongoing process, and achieving fluency may require longer-term engagement and practice.

For organizations and large groups, we can design training programs that align with your specific objectives and timeframes. The duration of these programs will be customized to meet your organization’s needs, ensuring that participants gain the language and intercultural skills necessary to excel in their roles.

Remember, the key to language proficiency is consistent practice and dedication. Our expert instructors and tailored programs are here to support you every step of the way as you embark on your language-learning journey.

While we predominantly offer courses in commonly requested languages such as English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, we can also provide services in other languages with advance notice. Our network of skilled instructors and language experts across Middlebury Institute allows us to accommodate a wide range of language needs. If you require training in a less common language, please reach out to discuss your specific requirements. We’re here to help you achieve your language and intercultural training goals.

Yes, we can accommodate large groups with our flexible training solutions. CLS has a track record of designing and delivering language and intercultural communication training for government agencies, international organizations, and corporations with substantial workforces. Our programs can be scaled to meet the needs of your organization, ensuring that all participants receive the necessary training and support. We’ll work closely with you to assess your requirements and develop a comprehensive training plan that suits the size and objectives of your group.

Absolutely. CLS specializes in creating customized language and intercultural training programs that are perfectly aligned with the unique needs of various industries and fields. Whether you’re in business, healthcare, government, or any other sector, we have the expertise to design a program that helps you excel in your specific context. Our extensive experience in program development ensures that the content and approach are tailored to your industry’s requirements, resulting in tangible benefits for your organization.