School History

Founded in 2007 by Rodrigo Brinski and Fernando da Costa, the Philadelphia English Language Institute has been a vital part of the immigrant community of Northeast Philadelphia. At that time, the school was called Wizard and it was the first branch and franchise to be inaugurated outside of Brazil.

In 2011, Wizard became the Philadelphia Language Center run by Dale and Jessica Winterbottom. The school began offering foreign language classes in addition to the English language program.

In 2015, Arian Pereira and Leonardo Ribeiro, the current owners, took over and began implementing new English programs and expanding the school services. The school is currently undertaking a major program expansion and restructuring project with a greater focus on adult ESL and intensive English.

In the News

"Gente de sucesso"

Did you know that in addition to offering excellent English language programs, the Philadelphia English Language Institute (PELI) also offers services to entrepreneurs living in the United States?

This short interview with Carlos Wizard in 2007 shows us that though our school mission has changed, we have remained true to the founder’s original mission when he opened the first Philadelphia Wizard branch fifteen years ago. Over time, our school has evolved its concept of teaching methodology but the intended outcomes remain just as ambitious! Our BCE services have expanded and still provide local entrepreneurs with the needed support to grow their businesses and succeed in the United States. We have taken this mission to heart and we are proud to have remained an integral part of our community.

Here is a translated excerpt from 100% Brazil Magazine we found in our school archives!

"Successful People": 100% Brazil Magazine, June 2007

WIZARD: With almost 20 years of being in this market and more than 1220 schools all over Brazil and abroad, Wizard is currently the biggest network of language teaching in Brazil. The Wizard student is stimulated to speak in a new language from the first day of class. This teaching methodology allows the practice of conversation, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in a short amount of time. Thanks to this method, the student is encouraged to express oneself freely, overcome inhibitions, and break barriers while learning. Not only that, the student also receives the stimulus to develop even more self-motivation and leadership techniques, thus obtaining superior professional training. This benefits students in the United States, because the place where we live is a large classroom, that is, the student leaves the school already practicing what was learned. We have had many testimonials where students have noticed immediate progress as a result of class.

100% Brazil: You will soon inaugurate BCE, which will work with business marketing. What kind of services will you offer to entrepreneurs in Philadelphia?

WIZARD: BCE is a very special project for us. We will be able to offer full services to small business-owners and medium-sized companies. We will have complete administrative, financial, marketing and advertising, including website hosting and email services for our clients who wish for those services. BCE will also work directly with the Brazilian Consulate in New York, thus providing the Brazilian population with consular services. It is worth adding that with the consular services offered by BCE, the population will not have to miss a day of work just to go to New York.