The fastest-growing language school in New York City, Fluent City announces a $2.5M round to further support expansion of their new immersion and discovery-based courses ranging from mixology to interior design to french culture, and beyond. The round is led by Lerner Investments in coordination with a team of leading education investors, including: Learn Capital, New Ground Ventures, 1776 Ventures, and the founders of EdTech powers 2U, General Assembly, and Noodle.
Founded in 2011, Fluent City was built on the idea of redefining fluency for the modern day; noting that students can be well-versed in anything with a hands-on, interactive approach. With language at Fluent City’s core, CEO James Rohrbach aims to reinvent the liberal arts and enrichment learning for the 21st century by inspiring people to discover their passions and to live richer, more vibrant lives. Already offering courses in 10 languages of varying levels ranging from Spanish to Japanese, Fluent City is now expanding its programming to include topics in Art & Design, Food & Drink, and Culture & Travel.
Today’s expansion comes on the heels of their recent success: Fluent City has already seen over 20,000 students walk through its doors across its 4 Northeast locations. Using a highly-differentiated pedagogical approach, manifested in nearly 10 long-form proprietary textbooks, Fluent City has created thousands of new polyglots who have used their new skills for everything from falling in love to advancing their careers to conducting powerful not-for-profit work around the world.
“We all crave a thriving, multidimensional life—where we can pursue our interests, naturally grow in countless directions, and learn from and with others in our community,” says Fluent City CEO James Rohrbach. “With this additional capital and first batch of new courses, we’re building the first ever cross-disciplinary hub for this kind of social learning and exploration. Our mission is to enrich the lives and expand the worlds of millions of people around the globe – today marks an exciting step on that path.”
“Fluent City is breaking the mold of traditional Liberal Arts education,” says Zac Zeitlin, Managing Partner of New Ground Ventures, an investor in Fluent City, “making the type of formative, sometimes life-changing learning experiences—that often appear confined within the walls of a University–more relevant, accessible and available at a large scale.”
Fluent City’s multi-week Immersion courses include:
Mixology: All Shook Up — Making a great cocktail is all about the right proportions—part ingredients, part process, part knowing what the hell you’re doing. All Shook Up is a four-part course led by industry experts who will teach you all the important tips and tricks of the trade. By the end, you’ll be able to mix it, shake it, stir it and—most importantly, drink it with confidence. Leave ready to craft tasty concoctions that’ll keep your party guests coming back for more.
Interior Design: Space Lift — Whether your taste is more Scandinavian minimalist or Brooklyn industrial, we’ll help you design the apartment of your dreams. In Space Lift, you’ll identify your own, unique aesthetic and pick up practical knowledge and expert tips that will help you finally bring those Pinterest boards to life. Learn to communicate your personal style and talk fluently about current design trends. Master interior design and styling essentials that will enable you to transform any space from an urban shoebox to your own thriving sanctuary.
Culture: French State of Mind — Check your preconceived notions (and luggage) at the door and discover the au courant: the who, what, and where of French culture today. In French State of Mind, enjoy a full-sensory exploration of the country of France through tastings of the most beloved products, an interactive projection-mapped tour of Paris, and a story-fueled salon led by one of Fluent City’s native language instructors. Perfect for those wanting to get the most out of an upcoming trip to France, bridging the gap with the in-laws, or looking for a gift for the family Francophile.
ABOUT FLUENT CITY
Fluent City is an experience company and modern day culture school, offering a range of courses essential to a well-rounded cultural and global perspective. Whether inventing a signature cocktail, flirting in Arabic with confidence, or sprucing up a pied-à-terre, Fluent City brings people together in unconventional ways. Through pop-up events and month-long immersions led by influential creatives and local experts, Fluent City happens all throughout the city–from downtown warehouses to artist studios–to expand outlooks and inspire students to discover passions in food and drink, art, language, and beyond.
