Innovation at International House

At International House, we have always been committed to fostering an environment that inspires innovation, embraces change and continuously pushes boundaries to transform challenges into opportunities.

To celebrate the creativity and expertise within our International House schools, in 2024 we are proud to introduce:

The Mihai Laurențiu Gânj Award for Digital Innovation

Each award is open to anyone who works within the IH network and the inaugural winner will be announced at the IHWO Directors’ Conference in March 2025.

Apply for the Mihai Laurențiu Gânj Award for Digital Innovation >>>

This award honours the memory of Mihai Gânj, the former Director of IH Bucharest, who sadly passed away in August 2023. Mihai was passionate about exploring innovative ways to manage his school and enhance the learning experience. In his honour, IH World has established this annual award to recognise excellence in digital innovation across two categories:

Digital Innovation in Language Teaching

This award celebrates groundbreaking digital tools or technologies that transform language teaching. We are looking for innovations that go beyond merely substituting traditional methods and instead create more engaging, interactive, and personalized learning experiences.

Criteria for applicants

A. Innovation and Originality
- Makes use of ‘innovative’ digital tool or technology.

- Goes beyond simply substituting one technology use for another nor does it merely replicate a typical classroom procedure in a different way

B. Student Engagement
- Addresses specific needs, gaps or interests of a learner group

- Adaptable to other learner groups

- User-friendly, making language learning more engaging, interactive and personalised

- Shows evidence of learner improvement through the innovation

C. IH school implementation

- Easily replicable across other IH schools

Digital Innovation in Language School Management

This award recognises innovations that significantly enhance school management processes, whether in areas like student enrolment, scheduling, administrative tasks, communication, or financial management.

Criteria for applicants

A. Impact and Effectiveness

- Results in significant improvements in specific school management processes.

- Offers more than a simple replication of existing technologies.

- Demonstrates measurable results from the implemented technology.

- Has the potential for long-term impact on language schools operations.

- Is easy to maintain and update.

- Ethically safeguards student and staff data.

B. IH school implementation

- Easily replicable across other IH schools.

- Adaptable to schools of varying sizes, budgets, and needs.

- Provides a strong return on investment for the school.

Awards and Prizes

Each award winner will receive a prize of £500, along with a uniquely designed trophy.

Submission Details

Submissions must be received by 1st December.

For more information please sign in to the Members’ Area – Innovation Zone, or click here to submit your application.