Welcome to another edition of IH World News!
Whether you're in the throes of the new academic year, or perhaps you’re enjoying some well-deserved calm after a busy summer period, we hope everything is going well for you.
The IHWO team have been busy attending and preparing events as well as developing various projects that we're excited to tell you about. You've also been telling us about your exciting news. Read on to hear more!
IH World: Highly Commended at The PIEoneer Awards 2024
IH World is proud to have been ‘Highly Commended’ in the ‘Membership Organisation of the Year’ category at The PIEoneer Awards 2024.
The PIEoneer Awards have - for almost a decade now - celebrated innovation and excellence in the international education sector. This recognition reflects the significant strides IH World have made throughout 2024, a year that has seen many initiatives undertaken by the team in order to enhance the services and support available to our member schools.
From the revamp of our inspection framework to the refresh of our brand identity, this year’s initiatives reflect our commitment to providing exceptional support and resources to our members, driving innovation, and fostering a thriving language education community. At the heart of our work is the hope that these efforts will contribute to the growth of our network and its members, and we are very grateful that these efforts have been recognised and ‘Highly Commended’ by The PIE.
Empowering Future Leaders: Lead5050's Exclusive Offer for IH Schools
This September, IH schools were given the unique opportunity of a fully-funded scholarship placement on Lead5050’s new Business Leadership Programme, Business Foundations.
This six-month programme provides expert guidance and support to help future leaders develop their professional skills, enhance their impact within the workplace, and achieve career goals.
Programme Highlights:
- Essential Skills Development: Effective communication, time management, and team collaboration skills.
- Career Advancement: Equip your team members with the tools they need to excel in their roles and contribute significantly to your organisation.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Support underrepresented groups in business leadership and foster a more inclusive workplace.
We believe in the importance of continuous professional development and are delighted that Lead5050 has offered this valuable opportunity to our early career professionals. By investing in their growth, we can empower our team members to excel in their roles and contribute significantly to the success of our organisation.
There are 40 members across the IH network enrolled in the current programme. If your school missed out on claiming this exclusive opportunity, please keep an eye out for Lead5050’s programmes running in 2025 as they may have other discounts on offer in future.
Global Citizenship with IH Manchester
The IH Manchester Global Citizenship sessions have been so popular in previous years that they are back this year - but now available for everyone!
IH Manchester have decided to make these enrichment sessions available to all students in school, rather than as part of a specific course. All students will be able to book the sessions when they are in school, just as they do with social activities.
The Global Citizenship enrichment sessions aim to enhance students' global and environmental knowledge while developing essential skills for the future. Topics include Critical Thinking for the 21st Century, Sustainability and the Environment, Cultural awareness, and The Global Communicator.
Through the scheme, students develop in areas such as:
• team work
• debate skills
• critical thinking and analytical skills
• intercultural communicative competence
• writing skills e.g. reports & emails
• presentation skills with PowerPoint
• compiling questionnaires and interpreting data
By participating in these sessions, students gain valuable insights, develop essential skills, and become more informed and engaged global citizens.
IH World Digital Champions
Are you passionate about helping others navigate the digital world? Join us as a Digital Champion. We're looking for enthusiastic individuals within IH schools to empower others by sharing essential digital skills, and helping the network engage in our digital projects.
Interested? Want to find out more? Email [email protected]
The Mihai Laurențiu Gânj Award for Digital Innovation
In memory of Mihai Gânj , former IH Bucharest director and passionate educator, we are excited to have the Mihai Laurențiu Gânj Award for Digital Innovation. This annual award honours digital innovation in two key areas: teaching and school management. Open to anyone within the IH network, this award celebrates creativity and impactful digital solutions. Apply here: https://forms.office.com/e/TnrutEd704
Winners will receive a £500 prize.
Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your innovation! Apply now and be part of Mihai’s lasting legacy.
Exam Readiness with IH Coimbra
Exam time is always stressful for students. That's why every year IH Coimbra - Olivais e Santa Clara host free Taster Sessions and Exam Clubs for their students taking the Young Learner Exams (Starters, Movers, and Flyers) and Lower Main suite (Key and Preliminary).
Taster sessions are open to all students of the level and provide them with a better understanding of what is expected and allow them to practise and feel more confident in their language ability. Although not every student joining the sessions takes the exam, the school have found that over the years their YLE exam takers have grown in number.
Once students enrol for their exams, they then have the chance to take part in extra exam practice in Exam Clubs - free sessions for future exam takers, which cover the different parts of the exam, provide them with strategies and help them bridge any gaps before the big day.
🌟 Last Chance to Join: Supercharge Your Career with TTC and BET this October🌟
👩🏫 IH Certificate in Teaching Business English; IH Teacher Trainer Certificate
🗓️ Starting 12th October 2024
📚 Looking to boost your teaching skills? Take the IH Certificate in Teaching Business English or the IH Teacher Trainer Certificate with IH OTTI for tutor-led support and practical training that will take your teaching to the next level.
📣 Contact [email protected] for more details and to secure your spot today!
IH OTTI Moves from Moodle to Avallain
We are delighted to announce that IH World is now working with Avallain, using their tools as a platform for IH Online Teacher Training Institute (OTTI) professional development courses. We have adopted Avallain Magnet, the powerful and customisable learning management system, in combination with Avallain Author’s AI-powered content creation and management features.
We made the decision to switch from Moodle to improve user experience for our IH OTTI course participants, have a wider range of tools for customer service and tech support and to create an overall more modern feel to our platform.
“We’ve been impressed with Avallain’s personal support every step of the way”, Emma Hoyle, Managing Director at IH World, notes. “Avallain Author and Avallain Magnet accelerate our creative processes and authoring of learning content. The learning management system streamlines learning, delivering quality content and experiences for teachers. We’re excited to see how we will continue to collaborate with Avallain in the future.”
CELTA Masters: IH Bristol
IH Bristol is proud to offer a specialised CELTA timetable to meet the unique needs of Chinese students pursuing Masters degrees in Education at the University of Bristol.
Designed to complement their academic studies, these part-time CELTA courses offer a flexible learning experience that aligns with the busy schedules of these dedicated students. “We have been doing these courses for years now, designing the timetable around the needs of the trainees and it is extremely rewarding to see the impact,” IH Bristol state.
“The dedication of these Chinese teachers is amazing. Not content with putting themselves through the rigours of a Masters’ course in English, they also sign up to do a CELTA in the few spare days they have between classes and exams. It is wonderful to be able to run these courses alongside our full-time CELTA course and to know we are contributing to the quality of English in such a great country as China as well as the rest of the world”.
Celebrating 25 Years of International House Riviera Maya
IH Riviera Maya is proud to commemorate its 25th anniversary. This milestone marks a journey filled with achievements, growth, and unwavering dedication to language education.
Since its founding, the school has welcomed students from around the world, fostering a diverse and enriching learning environment. A unified passion for teaching, learning, and sharing Mexican culture has driven the school's success.
Although the journey was not always easy, every class, cultural exchange, and smile has been a constant source of motivation to keep moving forward, continuously innovating, and striving for academic excellence. The path full of challenges and adventure has allowed them to grow as an institution and family, forging strong bonds with their students and the dedicated team that makes their mission possible.
As they look ahead, IH Riviera Maya remains dedicated to offering exceptional language education and cultural experiences. Join us in celebrating this remarkable milestone and the bright future that lies ahead.
IH Shines at Study Travel Star Awards 2024
We are delighted to announce the outstanding achievements of our member schools at the prestigious Study Travel Star Awards 2024 this September.
Congratulations to CLIC IH Sevilla, IH Cadiz, and IH Malaga, who were crowned ST Star Spanish Language School.
IH Lecce was a finalist for the Star Italian Language School award, while both IH Nice and IH Montpellier were finalists for ST Star French Language School. IH Düsseldorf represented as a finalist for the ST Star German Language School category, and IH Sydney Training Services was recognised as a finalist in multiple categories, including Star Chain School < 10, Star Vocational College, and Star Junior Course for under 18s.
These accolades highlight the exceptional quality of education and services offered by International House schools worldwide. We extend our warmest congratulations to all the finalists and winners for their outstanding contributions to the language education industry. Your hard work and excellence truly shine, and we couldn’t be prouder to have you as part of the IH family!
🌟 Enhance your One-to-One Teaching Skills! 🌟
👩🏫 IH Certificate in Teaching One-to-One
🗓️ Starting 2nd November 2024
📚 Develop your skills in one-to-one teaching with this fully online course. Learn innovative techniques and strategies to engage your individual students effectively.
📣 Contact [email protected] for more details and to sign up!
Student to Teacher with IH Dublin
IH Dublin are proud of the impact they make on the lives of those who study with them. Fiona's story with IH Dublin is not just about undertaking the CELTA course – it is a narrative of a full-circle journey, from being a student to becoming a teacher within the very institution that nurtured her passion for teaching.
Having studied English and Irish in university, Fiona initially envisioned herself on a path towards Irish teaching. However, a friend's recommendation and her curiosity led her to explore the CELTA course at IH Dublin. The intensive yet enriching CELTA course connected her with a diverse cohort of peers while offering unparalleled mentorship from the instructors.
The course helped shape her transition from student to teacher, giving her the tools to effectively bridge the two roles. Now, as a teacher at IH Dublin, Fiona draws upon her journey as a student to empathise with her learners and grasp the challenges they might face.
Strengthening IH Connections: A Collaborative Training Experience for Erasmus+
Earlier this year, IH San Sebastian hosted colleagues from IH Bucharest for an Erasmus+ teacher training course. Together, they enjoyed a week of learning and shared spirit within the IH community in the beautiful city of San Sebastian (Spain).
Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, participants explored topics centred around facilitating learning for adults with a specific focus on digital competencies. The training also included a brief immersion in the Romanian language, allowing teachers to empathise with adult learners during fun and effective language lessons.
The programme coincided with ‘mini conferences’, providing an opportunity for intercultural exchange and knowledge sharing. Visitors from IH Bucharest were able to enjoy rich intercultural interactions with teachers and students from all over the world.
Featuring social activities alongside the training, participants explored San Sebastian's vibrant culture and indulged in its renowned gastronomy. Colleagues from both schools were able to enjoy this collaborative learning experience and enhance their sense of global community.
Celebration of Diversity
After an incredibly successful run of webinars, we are so excited to be announce the return of our IH Celebration of Diversity for 2024-2025!
These sessions are all about sharing best practice, thought leadership and new ideas around inclusive practice in language schools - and the best thing is they are totally FREE!
The opening session will take place on Friday 18th October at 12pm GMT
Keep an eye on our events page and your email inbox for updates!
Got a topic you’d like to see a webinar about? Or perhaps you’d like to deliver one yourself! Get in touch with [email protected] with your ideas!
EDIB Working Group
Did you know there is an IH World EDIB Working Group?
We meet every 6 weeks to discuss all things equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging at IH schools. Joining the group is an opportunity to contribute ideas to IH documents and work streams, and also to get feedback on any challenges you might be facing in your school.
Interested in joining? Why not pop along to our next meeting and see what it’s all about! Email [email protected] to find out more!
What are IH Schools up to on Socials?
Click the images to view the posts.
🌟 Academic Management Courses Starting this November! 🌟
👩🏫 Observation and Giving Feedback in Language Teaching; Business Management in Language Education
🗓️ Starting 2nd November 2024
📚 Perfect for aspiring academic managers, these courses will equip you with the essential skills to observe classes, give constructive feedback, and manage business aspects in language education environments.
📣 Reach out to [email protected] for more details and registration info!
Yellow is the New Green: Environmental Focus at IH Córdoba and Huelva
IH Córdoba and Huelva began their school year this September with the introduction of their new mascot, ‘Panda Jonny’. Students of all ages were thrilled to meet this friendly addition on the first day of classes. The choice of a panda reflects the schools' commitment to creating a sustainable and environmentally conscious learning environment.
IH Córdoba and Huelva have long embraced a green focus, implementing initiatives such as recycling and donating materials and furniture, renovating existing furniture, providing bike racks at their centres, using energy-efficient light bulbs, and reducing paper usage. This year they have adopted the slogan “Yellow is the New Green”, inspired by their school colours, to raise awareness of these efforts.
The schools aim to engage students and teachers in various projects, lessons, competitions, and events designed to promote a greener campus and foster environmentally friendly habits among clients and staff.
Develop Your German Teaching Skills with Our Full-Time IHC Deutsch Course!
Les ateliers FL (IH Biarritz, IH Bordeaux, IH Lyon, IH Nice (Libération), and IH Paris) had an unforgettable summer, filled with exciting activities and achievements.
Olympic-themed activities engaged students across all five schools, blending the spirit of the games with enriching learning experiences. Two lucky students even won tickets to the Stade de France athletics event, creating lifelong memories.
The Summer & Surf Camp in Biarritz was another highlight, offering students the perfect combination of French language lessons and thrilling surf sessions.
Meanwhile the French Teacher Training programme in Nice and Bordeaux provided 26 weekly lessons, enhancing teachers' academic and professional French skills. The program also included guided visits and cultural activities.
The schools also celebrated a decade of partnership with Linnaeus University, Sweden, reflecting on shared success and their transformative impact on students since 2014. This milestone marks a decade of growth and collaboration, with many more exciting years to come.
IH in the Spotlight
International House has been in the spotlight this year! Recent articles in Study Travel Network, The PIE, and Schools and Agents have highlighted the network's innovative initiatives and contributions to the industry.
The PIE News has featured IH events and members of the network a number of times this year, with plenary talks and topics arising from the IH Directors’ Conference featuring in recent articles, as well as initiatives championed by members of the network such as the Future Skills Agency project (piloted at IH Catania) being given a wider platform through the publication. The PIE has continuously supported in elevating IH voices such as IH Sydney’s Mark Raven and Tim Eckenfels, strengthening the IH brand name and reputation as well as providing a spotlight on significant events within our network. Likewise, Study Travel Magazine has featured IH this year, celebrating our new board members, Study Abroad Committee, and the launch of the new IH Valued Partner Agent scheme. Schools and Agents also supported in celebrating the IH brand refresh, sharing our modernised visual identity with the wider TEFL network.
🌟 Flexible Self-Study Courses to Boost your Career! 🌟
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📚 Explore our asynchronous Self-Study Courses:
- Special Educational Needs (SEN)
- Teen Classroom Management
- Introduction to Phonology
- Error and Correction
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📣 Enrol today to take advantage of these convenient, self-paced learning opportunities.
No Fluff: Sales tip from Nicola Lutz
The Power of Empathy in Connecting
Feeling sleazy about promoting your school? Rather do anything than ‘sell’? It’s time to change your perspective. Success in client interactions doesn't require sleazy, salesy tactics. In fact, empathy is your strongest tool, and I know you all have plenty of empathy!
Understand your potential clients' needs and dreams and help them see how your service can fulfil those needs.
Think about their journey.
What worries can you alleviate?
How can you bring them closer to their dreams?
Empathy allows you to connect deeply, showing genuine care for their challenges. Tap into that natural curiosity! By being the guide, problem-solver, and supporter they need, you’ll build trust and make lasting impacts. Remember, it’s not about closing a booking; it’s about making a difference.
Ask the Right Questions: Start with something like "What challenges are you facing?" This shifts the focus to their needs.
Follow Up with Value: Send personalised advice or resources that address their concerns, showing you genuinely care.
Success Across the Network: Celebrating IH Achievements
International House schools have continued to excel in 2024, offering a diverse range of language learning programs. IH Amman expanded its repertoire with the IHC Arabic course, making them one of only two IH schools with this course on offer. They also reintroduced the DELTA M1 exam in Jordan after the course being unavailable for over two years, and they have recently launched a new DELTA M1 preparation course.
IH Cairo welcomed their new cohort of students from the University of Edinburgh, who travel to Egypt to study Arabic. Enjoying a memorable trip to Saint Simon's Monastery in Mokattam Mountain, these students are already creating lasting memories. Having hosted diplomats from the Embassy of New Zealand and launched their new "How to Teach IELTS" course earlier this year, 2024 has provided many exciting firsts for IH Cairo!
IH Newcastle offered a face-to-face DELTA course covering all three modules, offering flexible delivery schedules tailored to meet individual candidate needs. They were very proud to welcome back a Brazilian DELTEE student who had previously completed their Cambridge Proficiency course with them back in 2014, and also added an additional DELTA tutor to their own roster by training internally, demonstrating their commitment to uplifting colleagues and peers. They would like to extend this same sentiment to teachers in the IH Network – to find out more about their IH staff discount for DELTA modules, please contact [email protected].
International House Sydney at PIE Live Asia Pacific
IH Sydney’s Mark Raven (General Manager of Revenue at IH Sydney Training Services and member of the IH Study Abroad Committee) spoke at The PIE Live Asia Pacific event on the Gold Coast this Summer.
Participating in two insightful discussions: ‘Building a Secure Future for International Education: Challenges & Solutions’ and ‘How ELICOS and VET are Reimagining Their Operations’, the panels addressed significant changes within the ELICOS and VET sectors, exploring how industry leaders are adapting and innovating their operational strategies to meet evolving global needs. “These sessions provided valuable insights into the latest trends and effective strategies for success in these areas," Mark stated.
“The PIE Live Event on the Gold Coast provided an excellent opportunity for our industry to gather and discuss current issues while focusing on the future. It was the perfect occasion to further connect the IH brand with The PIE, both known for their excellence in the industry.”