Louvain-la-Neuve: Surprise Closure of Language Centre for Jobseekers
Just under three years after its grand opening, the Maison des Langues (House of Languages) in Louvain-la-Neuve is no longer hosting job seekers for language training. This change took effect on January 1, 2026, and has largely gone unnoticed. The Forem, the Walloon Employment Service, states that the center has returned to its “primary mission.”
Shift in Focus at the Maison des Langues
According to information posted on Google reviews, “As of January 1, 2026, the Maison des Langues in Louvain-La-Neuve will no longer be open to the public. Language courses will now be organized at other locations. For any questions regarding our language courses, please contact our customer service.” This development prompted contact from a concerned individual, Bénédicte, who noted the lack of public announcement. A check of the Forem website confirms that there is no longer any mention of the center offering services there. A Forem representative confirmed that language training is no longer offered at this location, with most activity now centered in Nivelles.
UCLouvain Continues Operations
The UCLouvain, which also utilizes the building for master’s programs, reports that the facility remains in use. Isabelle Decoster, a spokesperson for the university, stated that the auditoriums were even fully renovated earlier in the year. While the Louvain School of Translation & Interpretation continues to offer its master’s programs at the location, the reason for the cessation of training for job seekers remains unclear.
A Collaborative Project
The Maison des Langues was initially envisioned as a unique collaboration between UCLouvain and the Forem, aiming to help both students and job seekers integrate into the workforce. As stated during the inauguration, the project sought to combine the strengths of both organizations to achieve a common goal: sustainable employment. The project’s origins trace back to 2014, following the allocation of master’s programs in translation and interpretation to UCLouvain, necessitating new facilities.
Facility Details and Funding
The building itself spans 2,000 square meters across four floors, featuring two computer rooms and seven classrooms dedicated to UCLouvain’s master’s programs. Until January 2026, the Forem offered seventeen English and Dutch language modules, both in-person and remotely, along with language level assessments and awareness events. The facility also served as a “pedagogical laboratory” for Forem’s language trainers.
The project carried a total cost of six million euros, funded by two million from the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, one million from UCLouvain, and three million from the Walloon Region. The Forem contributed financially for ten years in exchange for a lease of at least 25 years on half of the building’s space.
New Priorities for the Forem
According to Thierry Ney, a spokesperson for the Forem, the change is not a setback but a refocusing of priorities. He stated, “The priority of the Maison des Langues is to develop language training tools. We are now returning to this primary mission: developing online training tools, particularly the ‘Parlez pro’ platform.” This platform is intended to replace the previously free Wallangues platform, which closed on January 1st.
A “Reference Hub” for Language Training
The shift is also linked to a new regulatory framework implemented on January 1st. The Walloon government has adopted a new strategy for language skills, directing resources towards training programs with clear professional orientations, as explained by Minister of Employment Pierre-Yves Jeholet in June 2025. The Maison des Langues will now serve as a “reference hub” for this change, housing pedagogical teams, content developers, and partners from the Carrefour des Langues.
The Forem maintains that there has been no interruption in services, with all seventeen modules transferred to the Nivelles center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening at the Maison des Langues?
The Maison des Langues in Louvain-la-Neuve is no longer offering language training to job seekers as of January 1, 2026. The Forem has moved these activities to other locations, primarily Nivelles.
What is the Forem’s explanation for this change?
The Forem states that it is returning to its “primary mission” of developing language training tools, specifically the new “Parlez pro” online platform.
Is the building still in use?
Yes, the building is still used by UCLouvain for its master’s programs in translation and interpretation.
What do you think about the shift in focus for the Maison des Langues, and how might this impact job seekers in the Walloon region?