Meet the Directors: The Linguaviva Centre
We are delighted to welcome The Linguaviva Centre to Erasmus Courses Ireland. Linguaviva in the heart of Dublin has a long-standing reputation for quality, professionalism, and learner-centred education aligns strongly with the ethos of our training centres. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and high-impact teacher development makes them a natural fit within our network. We are very pleased to have them on board and look forward to an exciting year of collaboration and meaningful Erasmus+ programmes together.
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting your language centre?
Aidan and I had a ELTraining company called ActualiseELT from 2018 – 2021. In early 2021 we began talking to Paul Barton about taking over direction of The Linguaviva Centre ( TLC) as Paul was looking to sell. Both of us had been in the sector with other language teaching organisations ( LTO) , and had been involved in all aspects of managing ELschools. It was because of our deep involvement in the sector that we were in the right place at the right time to take the next step into school ownership. As teachers, who became managers, who then became directors, we are familiar with all aspects of the day to day running of an LTO.
When you started the language school, what were the biggest challenges for you?
The biggest challenge to running an LTO is the volatility of the different international markets and the cost of running a high quality school in a highly competitive market.
How has your centre evolved since its inception?
We are 5 years into our stewardship of TLC. Our main focus initially, was to maintain TLC’s reputation for quality while innovating new programs and operating procedures to enable the school to modernise. Our motto is ‘Proud of our past, focussed on your future’, keeping the students at the centre of everything we do.
What values or principles guide your company’s operations?
Aidan and I are ELT professionals. We have been working for many years with organisations such as, English Language Ireland, Quality English, Eaquals and now Select Ireland. Those organisations have informed our commitment to the students, to those we work with, and to the organisations that support the school. We both believe in fairness and transparency. We are playing ‘the long game’ in ELT, and as such, are guided constantly by our core values.
How do you maintain a strong company culture?
A strong company culture starts with great recruitment. It comes from good communication and allowing competent staff to be the best versions of themselves in their work. Being part of a quality organisation such as Select Ireland allows us to constantly evolve and improve.
How do you foster collaboration and teamwork within your organisation?
TLC is a boutique school with roughly 20 members so staff. Besides working closely in our own departments, one thing we try to do is have whole school communication through workshops and away days, where we can all become more aware of the work of our colleagues and Aidan and I can try to communicate the mission.
How do you incorporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility within your company?
One of our favourite initiatives over the last 5 years, was the development of the Viva Summer School in the beautiful coastal town of Dalkey, Dublin. Because of the ideal location on the seashore, we decided to focus on the local environment, sponsoring local clubs to provide access for our students in summer, whether that be the local scouts, Gaelic football teams or Orienteering club. Providing local activities and excursions cuts down our carbon footprint while providing revenue for the local community.
What do you personally consider to be the benefits and opportunities from Erasmus+ for participants and institutions?
The Linguaviva Centre is committed to being a Teacher Training School with a training team. We feel programs that qualify for grants should form an important part of our offering. Having worked with Erasmus+ for the last decade, we can see the value that teachers derive from these focussed short stays abroad. The value of the programs is also clear to the participants in their appreciation of the training itself and the team building that happens when they come abroad as a group.
What can participants hope to achieve by attending an Erasmus+ professional development course at your language training centre?
The participants will see a direct benefit through a deeper understanding of how to integrate language into their content led classes. They will have a cultural experience that will stay with them for years. If they come as a teaching group, they will have a team building experience and if they come as individuals they will have an international networking experience with like-minded professionals.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for the future of your business?
Our goal in 2026/7 is to successfully navigate the TrustEd application and continue to develop our program offering with a view to incorporating Vocational English courses and developing pathways for our students to further and higher education.
In 2027 The Linguaviva Centre is celebrating 50 years in business. We want to celebrate in style!