From humble beginnings in a small house in Cordoba, to a global presence in more than 50 countries around the world, believing in the importance of communication and sharing ideas is what has led to us to where we are now. Our network of schools champion language learning, cultural diversity, and quality in teacher training. We are proud to be part of the International House family. Happy 65th Anniversary!
The first edition of “Preparation Centre Awards” announced its first winner
Out of the over 140 schools in competition for the first edition of Preparation Centre Awards in Romania, English Kids Academy (International House), Bucharest has been declared „the best training centre“ at the “step-by-step approach” category. This award acknowledges the quality of the students’ preparation for the Cambridge English exams. In 2018, Cambridge Assessment English launched Preparation Centre Awards for the first time in Romania in order to reward the best exam preparation centres. There have been awarded three prizes for three categories: preparation method, new centre and step-by-step approach. English Kids Academy (International House), Bucharest, one of the three winners International House Bucharest operates in Romania since 2002 and is famous for the English courses provided. English Kids Academy is the specialized in English for children and teenagers of International House Bucharest. Throughout the academic year 2016-2017, 2400 children, aged 1 to 18 years old have been enrolled at the academy level. Out of which, 668 students took the Cambridge exams in May 2017 and the results obtained were outstanding: at the YLE (Starters, Movers, Flyers): 448 candidates, out of which 91% got maximum points for Speaking. A2 Key and B1 Preliminary exams – 191 candidates, 100% graduation rate. „We recommend the step-by-step approach, as it is the best way for supporting and preparing children, both for real world communication and for obtaining excellent results at higher level exams, necessary to children for higher education and for the careers they will take up later on. The proof of its efficiency resides in the above-mentioned results, obtained by children who followed this step-by-step approach,” stated the IH Team. In his turn, Mihai Laurentiu Ganj, International House Manager, said: „The cooperation with Cambridge English is essential for us. Cambridge exams are the main instrument for measuring the progress registered by our students throughout an academic year. Thus, parents are being sure that their investment in English courses at English Kids Academy was worth the effort, since the results are visible and well reflected by the exam results. We highly appreciate the way they are designed: friendly to everyone, adapted to the age categories they address, playful for the littles one, serious for the big ones, containing real life language and presented in real communication contexts. Moreover, the high level certificates represent a true passport, opening new horizons for the career and future of the children!” „We are honoured by this award and we want to thank the entire Cambridge English team for their professionalism and objectivity in organising this contest. We also thank heartily the organisers for the idea of inviting us to discover Cambridge, to visit the famous university with its exceptional publishing house and printing museum, for the care and warmth they have welcomed, accompanied and inspired us throughout our stay in this great city of the British culture, but also of humanity. We thank Mr. Nick Beer, Regional Commercial Head Europe and North Africa, Mrs. Cécile LOYER, Senior Manager Marketing – Europe, Mrs. Steluta Stefanescu, Country Manager for the initiative of this project and for the great way it was organised to the minor details, from the very beginning until the end. We would also like to thank EEC, our partner in organising Cambridge exams, especially to Mr. Catalin Badanau.” IH Team: „The Cambridge University Press textbooks for preparing Cambridge English exams are structured very well and user-friendly both by teachers and students. We always choose the latest editions, since appropriate and complete preparation for the exams is one of the main reasons parents choose our centre. Being able to provide courses with the latest and most complete training materials, containing the most efficient exercises, the suggestions, pieces of advice and recommendations from the best professionals in this sector, represent a tremendous advantage. Furthermore, we encourage individual study and these textbooks offer a wide range of resources to this respect. Briefly, we appreciate the materials from Cambridge University Press as being the most efficient for preparing Cambridge exams, but also for nice and attractive learning of English.” Preparation Centre Awards, from A to Z … ► 5 participating countries: France / The Netherlands / Poland / Czech Republic / Romania ► 3 award categories / 3 winners in each country: * Preparation method: institutions that best use the official preparation materials for Cambridge English exams, published by Cambridge University Press. * New-comer: a new school which has introduced the preparation for Cambridge English exams recently. * Step-by-step approach (‘Cambridge path’): an institution following the progressive preparation system and offering Cambridge English exams for all learning levels. Institutions can compete under more categories, but can win only for one of them. For the first edition in 2018, Cambridge Assessment English has received more than 140 applications from Romania. ► International Cambridge English Jury Winners are chosen by a 5 members jury, Cambridge Assessment English experts: Francesca Woodward, International Network Manager; Guy Chapman, International Education Institutions Department Manager; Cécile Loyer, Senior Manager Marketing – Europe; Nick Beer, Regional Commercial Head Europe and North Africa and Sebastian Hockliffe, Sales Manager for Cambridge University Press ► Award Trip to Cambridge on March 16th and 17th 2018, with the following agenda: ► Tailor-made training for award winners: design of training materials with editorial teams from Cambridge University Press ► Gala dinner, with attendance from Cambridge Assessment English and Cambridge University Press ► Visiting some colleges of the University of Cambridge with and official guide ► Calendar: * Application deadline: November 27th 2017 * Award date: March 16th 2018, during the Laureate Gala Cambridge English Exams Cambridge English Exams are acknowledged internationally by more than 20,000 universities, employers and public institutions worldwide. They open the way to higher education, increase employment opportunities and education or work opportunities. Preparation for these exams allows all students to obtain a very good level of English, both written and oral. Preparation for exams can be done in the school where the student studies or in institutions such as language centres which offer exam preparation during courses that
British Ball 2018
June 8th, 2018 is the day when British Ball takes place, a magical event for children and parents At its seventh edition, the British Ball is a high level event organised yearly by International House Bucharest and English Kids Academy, with the support of His Excellency, Mr. Paul Brummell – The Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Romania. Partners and Sponsors of The British Ball 2018 Main Partners: Media Partners: Sponsors: During the prestigious event, which also marks in Romania the birthday of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, the Queen of the United Kingdom, children with outstanding results at English during the academic year 2017 – 2018 will be rewarded within the Fonix and Cambrdige contests and other international exams. Via the programmes of the organising institution, English Kids Academy, children learn more than English: apart from creativity and teamwork, they learn respect and responsibility towards the environment and towards other children. That is why, as always, the event will also have a strong charitable stake, the funds resulted from the sold tickets being donated to charitable associations. The British Ball is supported yearly by the British Embassy in Bucharest and benefits from the attention of the British Royal Family, who sent yearly the message of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, dedicated to the children and parents attending the event. The British Ball stands out as an elite educational and cultural event, where children receive educational awards and enjoy an unforgettable experience, full of surprises. Among the awarded prizes there are: educational products, books, stationary, vouchers, lots of culinary surprises and tailor-made artistic moments. In order to have you introduced in the fairy-like ambiance of the Ball, we invite to access the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBBChHQwpRg. The event will gather approx. 700 guests: children from some prestigious schools in Bucharest, English Kids Academy students, parents, teachers, managers of the award-winning educational institutions, high ranking dignitaries and important representatives of the education sector. English Kids Academy students and the students rewarded within the Fonix and Cambridge contests will celebrate the end of the academic year at the British Ball 2018, wearing vintage costumes, enjoying the prizes, the concerts and many more surprises. Consequently, the British Ball is a high class event for Bucharest, oriented on several directions: * support and promotes quality education * promotes values in the Romanian society * celebrates the birthday of the Queen of Great Britain, Her Majesty Elizabeth II * rewards the pupils with the best results at English throughout the academic year * donates funds for major charity causes * hosts a complex cultural programme, including artistic performances of the children attending the event, but also of famous artists. Who are we, the organisers? We are International House, from London, with over 65 years worldwide and for 15 years in Bucharest, we have created the standards for English teaching – the first training course for English teachers worldwide was held at International House in London, more than 50 years ago. International House Bucharest is the leader in English teaching in Romania (position certified by the National Council of Private Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Romania for 5 years in a row) and is a member of International House World Organization, which counts more than 150 language centres in more than 50 countries. International House Bucharest is the only language centre in Romania certified for training teachers in teaching English for children and teenagers, by means of a teachers’ training course moderated by the University of Cambridge. We are in Romania for 15 years and we help our students speak English correctly, fluently and persuasively; English Kids Academy is the International House division specialised in English for children. Our faith is that by a better knowledge of languages and by varied early education it is possible to facilitate communication and interaction between people of different nationalities, to ease free movement, mutual understanding and cooperation for building a trustful and successful society. Our aim is to contribute to the successful development of a new generation of children from Romania and to develop a society based on values, competencies and dialogue. Our main objective is to increase children’ motivation to study English, since knowing English will be a condition for access to education abroad or to successful jobs. The organisers thank the sponsors and partners, whose help allows the event to enjoy an incredible success yearly and to offer a special experience to all participants.
Eaquals 2018
For more than 15 years, International House Bucharest offers high quality services to its partners and is famous for the English courses it provides. The awards received along the years have proved that the motto “Happy Learners are Effective Learners” stands for a measurable reality, and the 11 excellence points out of 12, received after the last Eaquals inspection increase the trust level and the dedication of its partners in carrying on the cooperation with number 1 centre for language teaching in Romania. International House Bucharest is member of the most rigorous European association that supervises the standards for teaching foreign languages: European Association for Quality Language Services – EAQUALS. During the last inspection commonly carried out jointly by quality inspectors from IHWO London and EAQUALS (in March 2018), all the international standards for a foreign language centre have been checked: During a 4-days very strict inspection, the EAQUALS inspectors have monitored 49 specific quality standards, grouped under 12 chapters: Teaching Academic Management – Curriculum and Syllabus Academic Management – Progress Assessment and Certification Academic Management – Quality Assurance Academic Resources Other Services to Course Participants Staff Contracts, Terms and Conditions Qualifications, Experience and Training Communications Information Premises Management and Administration All teachers have been observed in the teaching process, at all levels and for all types of courses under implementation at that time (Business English, English for kids, Romanian for foreigners, etc.), all IH employees have been interviewed and all the working procedures have been analysed thoroughly and according to the latest developments in the area 11 excellence points out of maximum 12 possible! FINDINGS THE QUALITY INSPECTION by EAQUALS UK: “International House Bucharest Language Training Center was inspected by Eaquals in 2018 and met the high standards required for Eaquals accreditation. The teaching, the course programmes, as well as the course organisation, the learning resources, testing and evaluation were all judged to be of high quality. It was found that the institution takes great care to protect the welfare of its clients and staff, and all publicity materials produced by the institution are accurate and truthful. The Inspectors identified points of excellence in the following categories:: Management and Administration Course Design and Supporting Systems Assessment and Certification Academic Resources Learning Environment Client Services Quality Assurance Staff Profile and Development Staff Employment Terms Internal Communications External Communications” Congratulations to the entire team of International House Bucharest! We thank all our collaborators who enter daily our premises for learning with us! Every day, we learn together to be better! Eaquals Verdict letter – IH Bucharest 2018
Teaching Excellence Award
Every now and then there comes a time when we all need to take a respite and carefully go through what has been achieved so far in our work. Thus, at International House Bucharest (IHB) and our junior & teen unit, English Kids Academy (EKA), 2018 has been an intense, wonderfully challenging and extremely rewarding academic year. Firstly, we took up the demanding task of applying for renewal of our membership in prestigious EAQUALS, the European Association for Quality Language Services, which supervises standards of excellence in language education worldwide. Following a thorough 4-day inspection by EAQUALS experts, the Inspectors’ Report highlighted the exceptional training & development processes and outstanding learning environment, re-confirmed IHB as an accredited member of EAQUALS, and identified 11 out of 12 points of excellence at IHB: 1. Management and Administration 2. Course Design and Supporting Systems 3. Assessment and Certification 4. Academic Resources 5. Learning Environment 6. Client Services 7. Quality Assurance 8. Staff Profile and Development 9. Staff Employment Terms 10. Internal Communications 11. External Communications Secondly, we signed up for the first edition of the “Preparation Centre Awards”, organised by Cambridge Assessment English (the University of Cambridge unit in charge of the Cambridge suite of English-language examinations) to reward the best Cambridge exam preparation centres around Europe. There were five participating countries (France, Poland, Holland, the Czech Republic and Romania), and more than 140 competing centres from Romania alone. The contest was divided into three prize categories: best preparation methodology; best new centre; and best step-by-step approach. Despite the fierce competition, EKA won The Best Preparation Centre Award in the step-by-step category, and was particularly commended for the thorough, well-thought-out “Cambridge route” it offers its students at all levels of learning. Thirdly, IHB took part in the 2017/2018 edition of the much coveted iStudy Guide Awards. iStudy Guide is a UK-based initiative providing comprehensive world-ranging expertise in the areas of studying, teaching and volunteering in top destinations as diverse as China, Spain, France, Italy, the UK and the US. The Awards are meant to acknowledge, by inclusion in the Guide and global marketing exposure with partners like Aspire & Swissport International, the contribution of language schools around the world to top-quality education. IHB won the Award for Teaching Excellence this edition, for its first-rate facilities and world-class education in the areas of teaching English to adults, Romanian to adults, English to children, as well as cultural integration training. How do we feel about these major achievements? Wholeheartedly grateful to all our staff, students and partners, and unflinchingly committed to keeping up elite standards of excellence today, tomorrow, and always.
