We are delighted to welcome two new community schools to the International House network. Both schools are located in Myanmar and are part of the group previously known as The SPACE Language Academy. We are confident that the two schools and their teams, led by their dedicated and dynamic Managing Director, May Mon, and Academic Manager, May Tharaphi, will make a big impact on the IH network. They are fully committed to the IH vision, mission and values and their enthusiasm and determination to join IH is nothing short of inspirational.
“Becoming an IH school has always been our dream since we were two young teachers teaching out of one small apartment in Yangon,” remarked May Mon. “After transforming our small business, which started with less than €5,000, into a leading language school in Myanmar valued at over €1.3 million in just six years, we believe that affiliating with IH will help us enhance the quality of our services, attract and retain better teachers, extend our international ELT network, and provide our students with an international experience."
May Mon hints at the incredible journey the group has taken to reach this point. The affiliation of IH Yangon and IH Mandalay marks a significant milestone for the group, which was established in 2017 with just two classrooms and has since grown into a leading English language provider in Myanmar. The majority of their teaching provision takes place online, this was a consequence of the pandemic but was maintained due to its success and efficiency. This is a key example of the academy’s ability to innovate and respond to market demands.
The schools offer a wide range of courses, including General English, Business English, IELTS preparation, and specialised online classes in speaking and writing. The institution also caters to younger learners with programmes like English for Teens and SPACE Junior (for ages 11-14). A commitment to providing high-quality educational content is evident through the daily educational videos shared via the school’s Telegram channel, which add extra value for students.
The two branches are respectively located in the bustling Times City complex in Yangon, and the educational hub of Mingalar Mandalay. Both are well-equipped with modern classrooms, student lounges, and facilities to support effective learning.
“We are delighted to be welcoming two such innovative and dedicated schools to the IH network,” said Emma Hoyle, Managing Director of International House World Organisation. “We have been impressed by the commitment of the teams at IH Yangon and IH Mandalay at every step of the affiliation process. They have gone above and beyond to be part of the global network. I am excited to see how the company will grow and expand, they are ambitious and have a range of inspiring plans in the pipeline.”
We are also excited to see how the new affiliates will inspire other IH schools. They have innovative approaches to many areas of the language teaching business including teacher training. Their commitment to maintaining teaching excellence is supported by regular training, biannual observations and a unique two-month free internship program for new teachers. The institution's approach ensures new educators are well-prepared to deliver effective and communicative language lessons, a hallmark of the schools’ reputation in Myanmar.
It’s wonderful to see the IH network growing in new territories and building our presence in Southeast Asia. As a global network, we recognise that having affiliates with a wide range of experiences and perspectives enhances our organisation, making us more adaptable and effective in addressing various challenges. The affiliation of the two schools in Myanmar will give us insight into the region’s unique student demographics and language learning preferences as well as creating valuable links between the IH schools and the country’s thriving language education market.
Join us in welcoming May Mon, May Tharaphi and their teams.