Open English

Open English is an online English language school originally founded in Caracas-Venezuela in 2006, now with companies and offices in Miami, Caracas, Bogotá, Sao Paulo and Panama City.
Company overview
Open English is an online school founded in 2006 by Venezuelan entrepreneur Andres Moreno.
The program is mainly targeted to an audience ranging from 20 to 45 years of age, middle class Spanish and Portuguese-speakers. The online English school currently services North, Central and South American countries, including Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, and Brazil.
History
In 2005, Andres Moreno co-founded Optimal English, an English-training company that provided service for international executives. With the rapid development of technology and a growing market, Moreno decided to leave the company, so he partnered with Universidad Simon Bolivar classmate and friend, Wilmer Sarmiento, to create an English school online. While Sarmiento developed the technological aspect of the company in Venezuela, Moreno went to California to raise funds. Moreno met his future wife and business partner, Nicolette Moreno, in Venezuela six months after they had started programming the first website. She formally joined the company as the first American team member in November 2006. The three established the US company in February 2007, and opened offices in the cities of Miami, Caracas, Bogotá, São Paulo, and Panama.
Corporate structure
Open English is a Limited Liability Company that combines "U.S. corporate governance practices with efficient Latin American operations and deep knowledge of the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking consumer." The company has a board of directors of mostly American businessmen and a management team that oversees operations, marketing, and Live Instruction. The company hires American teachers as independent contractors through its affiliate, International ESL Services, LLC.
Television commercials
Dozens of Open English’s TV ads have been broadcast throughout Latin American cable channels.
One advertisement though, caused outrage amongst the professional EFL Teachers In Brazil, bringing a large outcry from Vinícius Nobre, the president of BRAZ-TESOL who launched a campaign to have the advertisement removed because of its negative portrayal of Brazilian trained English teachers.
The advertisement was soon removed and an apology was made by Andres Moreno CEO and founder of Open English.

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