Linguaphone Group, global leaders in language training, are delighted to announce the appointment of the latest licensing partners for the Group’s character-based pre-school English language program, Pingu’s English, in Romania and the Czech Republic.

Editura Sigma, a renowned publishing house in Romania for the past 20 years, has signed as the Pingu’s English Master Licensee for Romania. Led by Boris Singer, Director of Editura Sigma, they plan to broaden their educational profile in the market through the distribution of Pingu’s English into kindergartens and retail channels across Romania.

Meanwhile, local entrepreneur Alice Kourkzi of Language Academy Sro, has secured the exclusive rights to develop Pingu’s English across the Czech Republic. Alice plans to open her first Pingu’s English School in Prague this summer, with more planned across the market during 2010 and beyond.

Pingu’s English is a fun and imaginative way for young children to learn English and gain a better start in life and is based on the popular children’s character, Pingu™. Pingu’s English is a three-level course developed by leading experts in the fields of child education and language acquisition. The unique syllabus uses a wide variety of imaginative activities and multimedia resources. Designed for use within Pingu’s English Schools, kindergartens and also by parents and children at home, this innovative course is exclusive to the Linguaphone Group.

Derek Price, Chief Operations Officer of the Linguaphone Group commented: “Editura Sigma and Language Academy Sro are an esteemed addition to the growing success of Pingu’s English worldwide. We are delighted to welcome these new European partners to the Group and look forward to working with them to bring Pingu’s English to children across Romania and the Czech Republic in the months ahead.”