Welcome back to IH World News!
Thanks to the incredible influx of contributions from schools across our network, we are pleased to share with you this special supplementary edition. This month we delve into the power of strategic partnerships, witnessing their impact within the network and beyond, with various collaborative projects currently underway at IH schools.
We explore how our schools are embracing innovation, from integrating AI in the classroom to pioneering next-generation placement testing. Discover how IH is fostering global citizenship through cultural exchange and community engagement and see how our commitment to professional development is empowering teachers worldwide with training and collaborative initiatives.
Whether celebrating milestones or launching new educational frontiers, these stories showcase the dynamic spirit and dedication that define the International House network.
IH Malta gives back: education as a bridge to opportunities for the community
H Malta believe in making a difference beyond the classroom with the transformative power of learning.
In 2024, IH Malta partnered with an NGO to offer a workshop on jobs and skills, empowering women from underserved backgrounds to enhance their career prospects. Inspired by this initiative, the school are committed to expanding their efforts in 2025.
From January 2025, the school has been collaborating with local NGOs to deliver a series of volunteering initiatives aimed at providing accessible and quality education to those who need it most. Fostering opportunity and growth through language learning, IH Malta are ensuring that education becomes a bridge to better opportunities for everyone in their community.
“Together, we strive to make a lasting impact".
IH Catania: a focus on future skills in English language teaching
On January 23rd, IH Catania hosted a significant event for the world of education: a workshop for English teachers focused on preparing for Cambridge exams and developing key skills for the future.
The meeting saw the participation of experts in the field, who shared their experiences and the latest news in the field of English language teaching. The speakers, Palmina La Rosa from the IHWO Board, and IH Team Lingue DoSes Marta Brzoska and Milena Montalbano, delved into crucial topics such as the importance of life skills, strategies for improving language skills and the impact of new technologies on learning.
In a constantly evolving world, English is an indispensable tool for communicating, collaborating and accessing new opportunities. Events like this help to strengthen the role of the teacher and ensure quality training for our students.
Leaders in the Making: the Erasmus+ project uniting four IH schools
IH Split, IH Bucharest, IH Catania, and IH Torres Vedras (alongside a partner from Serbia, Oxford School Leskovac), have joined forces on a collaborative Erasmus+ project titled “Leaders in the Making”.
The project’s core objective is to improve the coaching skills of teachers and trainers so that they can in turn help students to develop essential 21st-century life and entrepreneurial skills. The partner schools aim to create a comprehensive toolkit packed with resources including educational materials like presentations, handouts, and lesson plans, designed to empower both teachers and students.
Following an initial meeting in Catania, where the schools came together to brainstorm and plan, they have been busy at work creating the resources and finalising the syllabus.
IH Torres Vedras’ Diana England and IH Bucharest’s Jennifer Hillhouse gave an introductory presentation outlining the nature of the project at the 2025 AMT Conference in London.
“Apart from the opportunity to extend our own abilities as trainers and teachers involving coaching skills, what’s great about this project is the contact and meetings both online and face-to-face we have with schools and people we would not normally work with,” Diana explained.
For updates on the project’s progress, visit the dedicated website - leadersinthemaking.eu.
IH Cádiz, IH Malaga, and IH Seville – committed to excellence
Over the past year, the three CLIC International House schools located in Seville, Cádiz, and Málaga have undergone significant upgrades to their facilities. This modernisation effort was aimed at unifying and enhancing their corporate image, reflecting their commitment to innovation and excellence in education.
In addition to these improvements, the schools received the prestigious FEDELE award (Spanish Federation of Spanish Schools) for the best social responsibility initiative. This honour recognised their collaboration with the humanitarian association MUSEKE for the last 20 years. Through their 2024 campaign, they raised funds to purchase much-needed beds for an orphanage in Rwanda, showcasing their dedication to making a positive global impact.
Teacher Training Courses with IH OTTI
Develop your career, and benefit from discounted prices if you are an IH teacher:
📜 TTC (Teacher Training Certificate)
Starting 17th May (10 weeks, £633.00)
For teachers wanting to move into teacher training.
📖 CAM (Advanced Methodology)
Starting 17th May (15 weeks, £627.00)
Ideal for experienced teachers and DELTA preparation.
💼 BET (Business English Teaching)
Starting 17th May (14 weeks, £506.00)
Expand your portfolio with specialised business English teaching skills.
Enhance your teaching practice and strengthen your CV – contact [email protected] for more information.
Next Generation Placement Tests from IH Split
IH Split and Amber IT Solutions are proud to introduce Next Generation Placement Tests (NGPT) – a groundbreaking tool designed to help language schools enrol students in the correct courses from the comfort of their homes.
As the only test worldwide to implement the ELO ranking system, NGPT uses advanced algorithms to deliver precise assessments of students’ language skills – completely digitally!
NGPT enhances your school’s first impression by showcasing professionalism and incorporating your logo throughout the process, reinforcing brand visibility. The accurate results ensure students are placed in the right course from the start, minimising dropouts due to skill misalignment. Regularly scheduled placement tests also serve as progress checkpoints, keeping students engaged and motivated to continue their learning journey.
With a standardised, adaptive format and support for multiple languages (English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, and Russian), NGPT is a perfect solution to boost both enrolment and student retention for every language school.
Celebrating diversity: IH Dublin's monthly cultural afternoons
IH Dublin takes pride in celebrating the incredible diversity of their community. Every month, the school hosts a Cultural Afternoon where students and staff have the opportunity to share information about their country and culture with fellow students. These sessions are open to all and provide a platform for learning, connection, and celebration.
Each Cultural Afternoon includes a presentation about the country’s culture, traditions, and history, often complemented by food tastings that offer a delicious glimpse into the cuisine. So far, they’ve celebrated the cultures of Switzerland, Mexico, and Brazil, with many more exciting events planned for 2025.
This initiative allows students and staff to come together to celebrate the richness of their global community, fostering greater understanding and creating unforgettable memories.
Exciting new training initiative for IH teachers
In February, IHWO launched the Community Schools Committee to explore new ways to support IH schools. One of the first initiatives from this committee is the IH Community Teacher Sessions, starting in March.
These free sessions are exclusive to IH teachers and offer something truly special—regular, international training with colleagues from across the IH network.
How does it work?
Live sessions every two weeks, at varying times to accommodate different time zones and school timetables.
Recordings available in the Member’s Area for those who can’t attend live.
Interactive format—a chance to meet and collaborate with teachers worldwide.
How to get involved:
- Teachers should register in advance. Registration links are sent to DoSes via the DoS Google Group.
- Participating as a speaker or leading an idea swap is a great professional development opportunity for teachers. If you’d like to offer a session or find out more email Lucie at: [email protected]
- School Directors—make sure your DoS team stays informed! Confirm they are on the DoS mailing list by contacting [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you there!
Nurturing global citizens: IH Düsseldorf’s German courses for Colombian nursing professionals
As part of a successful collaboration between IH Düsseldorf and a major hospital, 20 Colombian students have been given the opportunity to learn German and subsequently start training as nursing professionals. This partnership aims to address the shortage of qualified professionals in the healthcare sector.
IH Düsseldorf has developed their innovative training programme in cooperation with a leading hospital in North Rhine-Westphalia. By learning the German language, the students are optimally prepared for their training, enabling them to work successfully in the healthcare sector both professionally and linguistically.
The Colombian students are now learning and working in the hospital, making an important contribution to society. This program also helps address the shortage of skilled workers in the healthcare field.
This type of international collaboration demonstrates how education and professional integration can simultaneously strengthen society and the sectors involved.
From elementary to CELTA: Maryna’s extraordinary learning journey with IH Portsmouth
Maryna’s story is one of incredible transformation! Arriving at IH Portsmouth in October 2022 as an Elementary English student on a refugee scholarship, she felt totally out of her depth and struggled to speak. But with the unwavering support of her teachers at IH Portsmouth, together with her own hard work and dedication, Maryna’s confidence went from strength to strength! By December 2023, she managed to reach an impressive B2 level, using her English in a wide variety of everyday situations.
Inspired by her teachers, Maryna decided to embark on a totally new career path. She reached her goal to achieve an impressive C1 level and went on to study on one of IH Portsmouth’s CELTA courses, which she passed in October 2024. Now, she’s set to become a teaching assistant, eager to inspire children just as she was inspired.
Maryna’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the supportive community at IH Portsmouth!
2025 – a momentous year for IH Palermo Language Centre!
IH Palermo Language Centre have hit the ground running in 2025, the year that marks their 50th anniversary. The school opened the year by hosting a highly successful conference at the Grand Hotel Palace Marsala for the Trapani province, alongside AISLi OGM – take a look at the video reel to see highlights of this event.
In February, IH Palermo Language Centre welcomed teachers from Western Sicily to Marina Yachting (Palermo's most prestigious conference venue) for a special event in collaboration with Cambridge and IH Team Lingue. Their video reel captures just a fraction of the buzz and excitement on the day!
Furthermore, Palermo has been selected as the destination for the 2025 Directors' Conference, which will be held at Hotel Des Palmes in early May. This presents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the IH Palermo Language Centre's 50-year legacy.
Throughout 2025, the school will continue to provide a wide range of teacher training programs, including CELTA, CLIL in collaboration with the University of Palermo, and tailored support for public schools in meeting their assessment needs through the AISLi Future Skills Agency project.
Continuing Professional Development - Leadership and Management
Looking to enhance your leadership skills? Join us for:
🏢 DoS (Director of Studies)
Starting 17 May (9 weeks, £633.00)
For current or aspiring academic managers.
📊 Academic Management – Performance Management in Language Education
Starting 17th May (6 weeks, £385.00)
For current academic managers or teachers moving into academic management.
Lead the way as a lifelong learner - contact [email protected] for more information.
TPD by the sea with IH San Sebastián
Enhance your teaching skills with IH San Sebastián's "Teacher Training 2025" courses in the stunning city of San Sebastián, Spain. In collaboration with NILE’s trainers, these innovative programmes are designed to inspire educators and equip them with effective strategies to engage students and foster proactive citizenship.
- "Teaching Teenagers" English (July 14-25, 2025): Focuses on practical methodologies to captivate and motivate adolescent learners. Learn tools and techniques to enhance participation and foster a positive learning environment for teens.
- "Environmental Sustainability in Language Teaching" English (18-29 August 2025): Explore how to bring environmental issues to the forefront of your classroom. Engage students with the climate crisis and develop tools that inspire action, empowering the next generation of global citizens.
- "Methodology and Culture" Spanish (August 18–29, 2025): Equip yourself with creative strategies and cross-cultural insights to make your classroom dynamic, inclusive, and globally aware.
- "Content and Language Integrated Learning" English (August 18–29 2025): Develop your understanding of CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) through both practical and theoretical insights. Discover key principles and how to apply them effectively to teaching practice.
Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your teaching career—apply now and join educators worldwide!
Speak for IH: Tere Gonzaléz at ANUPI
At the ANUPI 22nd International Conference, Tere González (DoS at IH Mexico City) presented on AI's role in ELT, emphasising its potential to motivate students and enhance language skills. She began by explaining AI basics, then demonstrated how ChatGPT can motivate students through role-playing, mystery quests, and storytelling. This showcased AI's ability to provide instant, non-judgmental feedback and high-frequency language samples, boosting student confidence.
Tere also highlighted visual AI tools like Imagine.art and Google's Quick Draw. Students created and refined AI-generated images, using errors to spark discussions, and also drew objects while the AI guessed their meaning, showing how AI-generated images and interactive drawing can spark discussions, enhance collaboration, and develop descriptive language.
Addressing ethical concerns, Tere stressed responsible AI use, arguing that it can inspire creativity and reshape language learning. By focusing on effective prompt crafting and practical applications, Tere positioned AI as a valuable educational aid, not just a shortcut, transforming language learning and assessment.
No Fluff: Sales tip from Nicola Lutz
Turning "No" into Opportunity
Rejection is part of any business, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road.
A "no" can be a stepping stone to a future "yes." When someone says no, ask for feedback to understand their objections. This info is invaluable for refining your approach. Keep the relationship warm by staying in touch and sharing relevant updates.
Sometimes, circumstances change, and your persistence and willingness to listen will pay off. Treat rejections as learning opportunities to improve your strategy and increase your chances of success.
Get Feedback:
After a "no," ask, "What led to your decision?" to gather valuable feedback.
Stay in Touch:
Send occasional updates or useful information to maintain a positive relationship for future opportunities.
IH in Colombia
Colombia's IH network expanded to four schools in 2024 with the addition of IH Barranquilla, a community school offering corporate English courses, exam preparation, and teacher training.
Building on the success of their first collaboration, IH Bogotá and IH Belfast recently completed a second eight-week intensive English course for 11 employees of the Colombian Migration Service. The consistently high levels of satisfaction expressed by participants have led to IH Bogotá securing a new contract with the Migration Service.
Further success was marked by the completion of TKT and CELTA courses by professionals from the Colombian Ministry of National Defence, enhancing their English teaching skills. "We appreciate each participant’s commitment and effort and the tutors’ support in this training process. We are proud to accompany our students in their professional growth in Colombia and Latin America!" the school stated, emphasising their dedication to fostering excellence in education and contributing to the development of language skills across the nation at an institutional level.
Arabic, English, and Teacher Training with IH Cairo
IH Cairo’s Arabic courses have welcomed students from prestigious institutions worldwide, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and the Canadian Foreign Service Institute, offering them an immersive language and cultural experience.
In teacher training, the school continues to equip English teachers from around the world with internationally recognised qualifications such as CELTA, DELTA, and TEFL, delivered both online and face-to-face.
Additionally, their English language courses have expanded with engaging workshops on various vital topics, available to anyone seeking to enhance their English skills, both in-person and online.
Learn Spanish on the fly with IH Valencia
Valencia, known for its sunny skies and stunning Mediterranean coast, offers an ideal location for both flying and learning.
In partnership with a local flight academy, IH Valencia is offering a combination of professional aviation training with immersive Spanish language learning. This programme is ideal for aspiring pilots seeking an internationally recognised ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License) while building essential Spanish skills.
The Pilot license programme lasts 10 months, combining theoretical and practical training. Valencia’s clear skies and mild Mediterranean climate provide ideal flying conditions year-round, ensuring uninterrupted progress for student pilots. To ensure complete integration into both the aviation programme and life in Valencia, students arrive 1-2 months before the pilot course begins to take an intensive Spanish course at IH Valencia. This allows them to build a solid foundation in the language, enabling them to communicate effectively in professional settings and daily life in Spain.
With Valencia’s sunny weather and rich cultural experiences, students will enjoy a truly immersive experience, whether flying high or exploring this beautiful Mediterranean city.
Upcoming courses with IH OTTI
Looking to enhance your teaching skills this May? Join us for:
👦👧 OCYLT (Young Learners and Teens)
Starting 3rd May (8 weeks, £415.00)
For YLT teachers. Build skills to effectively teach young learners and teens.
🖥️ Teaching One-to-One
Starting 10th May (4 weeks, £347.00)
For freelance and private teachers. Master the art of one-to-one teaching.
💻 COLT (Cert in Online Tutoring)
Starting 24th May (5 weeks, £347.00)
For CELTA trainers and online teachers. Develop your online tutoring expertise!
👶 VYL (Very Young Learners)
Starting 31st May (10 weeks, £495.00)
Open to non-EFL teachers. Perfect for those teaching the youngest learners.
Ready to take your teaching to the next level? Contact [email protected] for more information.