The Berlitz Language & Culture Podcast

Welcome to this episode of the Berlitz language and culture podcast! Joining us today is Mark Teramae, an international relations expert specializing in Russia and Ukraine. Originally from the US, Mark has lived and worked across Europe, most recently holding academic positions in Finland before moving to Kyiv, Ukraine, this year. As the war in Ukraine continues, millions in the country as well as those forced to leave are eagerly awaiting an end to the war. And certainly, when the war does end, Ukraine will have the enormous task of rebuilding itself and welcoming businesses back in.  Mark will be talking to us about business norms in Ukraine and what those hoping to one day do business in the country can expect when hostilities end.

What does it take to build truly inclusive, high-performing teams in today's global workplace? In this episode of the Berlitz Language and Culture Podcast, host Louisa Ajami speaks with intercultural expert, author, and Open Minds Consulting Group co-founder David Walsh. Drawing on decades of experience in diversity, inclusion, policing, and intercultural leadership, David explores the role of open-minded leadership, cultural intelligence, psychological safety, and deep listening in creating stronger multicultural teams. Discover practical insights on overcoming workplace divisions, fostering creativity, managing cultural differences, and understanding why "every contact leaves a trace."

In Episode 6 of the Berlitz Language & Culture Podcast, host Louisa Ajami sits down with intercultural experts Julia Gaspar Bates and Sylvie Day to explore how French and American professionals can collaborate effectively across borders.  Julia and Sylvie share stories from their joint book project, highlighting the nuances of teamwork, communication styles, and cultural norms.   Whether you work in multicultural teams, lead international projects, or are simply curious about cultural competence, this episode offers practical insights and real-world examples for improving collaboration across borders.  Tune in to discover actionable tips for collaborating effectively across borders and strengthening your intercultural skills. 

In Episode 5 of The Berlitz Language & Culture Podcast, host Louisa Ajami speaks with Donika Jones, a public health practitioner, business strategist, and stakeholder engagement specialist, about why cultural competence is essential in today’s global and diverse workplaces.  Donika shares practical insights on cross-cultural awareness, inclusive program design, and effective stakeholder engagement. From examining our own cultural lenses to building responsive, people-centered strategies, this episode explores how humility, collaboration, and integrated thinking can lead to stronger programs and better business outcomes.  Whether you work in public health, business, leadership, or global teams, this conversation offers actionable takeaways on designing and leading with culture at the center.  Tune in to explore key themes including cultural competence, cross-cultural communication, inclusive leadership, stakeholder engagement, and designing programs with culture at the center.   

What does it take to succeed in an international assignment when you're on your own from day one?   In the fourth episode of the Berlitz Language and Culture Podcast, global business and security expert Dan Bolger shares his experience relocating to Albania with minimal support and the essential lessons he learned along the way.  From overlooked onboarding gaps to the power of cultural awareness, language skills, and personal resilience, Dan offers practical advice for professionals and organizations preparing for global deployments. This episode is a must-listen for HR leaders, expats, and anyone navigating cross-cultural careers. 

Think German’s hard? Wait till you meet its vowels. In this episode, we break down the sounds that confuse learners, terrify tourists, and make German speakers silently judge you. From plain old vowels to those spicy little Umlauts (yes, the dots matter), plus diphthongs that twist your tongue and your dignity, we’re covering it all. You'll finally understand why “ie” and “ei” are basically linguistic booby traps, and why “ö” isn’t just a weird “o.”  Inspired by Berlitz’s blog article “How to pronounce German vowels, diphthongs and the Umlaute.” Buckle up. Your pronunciation glow-up starts now.    Created with AI using original content from Berlitz US.

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Sinclair, a seasoned leader in international team management and language training, to explore the power of multilingual communication in business process outsourcing (BPO) and customer retention.  Jack shares why having language-skilled staff isn’t just a bonus—it’s a strategic asset, especially when employees shift roles or when cultural sensitivity becomes critical. From hiring diverse assessors to handling tough customer conversations through active listening, he dives into the subtle yet essential communication practices that make a lasting impact.  You'll also hear fascinating insights on regional and generational communication styles, including how to approach conversations with children and adapt to slower-paced dialogues in the South.  Whether you lead a global team or work on the front lines of customer service, this episode will change how you think about language, culture, and connection. 

In this episode of The Berlitz Language and Culture Podcast, we explore the essential grammar behind negation in French.  You’ll learn:  The basic structure of French negation (ne...pas)  Common variations like ne...jamais, ne...plus, and ne...rien  When and how to use them in real-life situations  Tips to avoid common mistakes made by learners  Perfect for learners at any level looking to build stronger, more complete French sentences.  Created with AI using original content from Berlitz US.

In Episode 2 of The Berlitz Language & Culture Podcast, hosted by Louisa Ajami, Dr. Naomi Olson shares how cultural skill-building goes beyond noticing differences—it's about developing strategies to navigate them and unlock the strength of diverse teams. 

Welcome to Berlitz Language and Culture Podcast, your go-to space for unlocking the secrets of any language!  In today’s episode, “El, La” we’re diving into one of the most puzzling and fascinating parts of Spanish grammar: gender.  Why is a table feminine and a book masculine?  How can you tell which article to use?  And what happens when gender goes beyond el and la?  Whether you're just starting out or brushing up your skills, we’ll break it down with clear explanations, real-life examples, and a few fun facts along the way.  Let’s make Spanish gender rules feel a little less intimidating, and a lot more logical. ¡Vamos!  Created with AI using original content from Berlitz US.