International House World Organisation
International House (IH) was founded in 1953 in Cordoba, Spain by John and Brita Haycraft. It has now grown to be the global leader in high quality language teaching and teacher training, a field which was pioneered by IH. It is a dynamic and fast developing organisation, with currently 150 member schools in 54 countries worldwide and it is constantly expanding its network and developing its services.
The Haycrafts’ aim was to provide an innovative approach to language teaching and teacher training. Today IH continues to innovate in preparing and developing teachers of all languages. IH teachers, highly trained and professional, utilise the challenging and motivating teacher development programmes offered by the network to remain at the cutting edge of their profession.
IH has just launched an online version of its teacher training course (IH Certificate Online - IHCo). This is a highly contemporary approach to a very traditional course that will help prepare teachers for a job or career in EFL in any place at any time.
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John and Brita Haycraft at the Directors’ Conference in Budapest in 1987 | John Haycraft outside 106 Piccadilly (IH London’s former premises) |
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| IH London today | IH Madrid - outside | IH Belfast - multimedia |
Brita Haycraft shares her views on IH today:
‘I feel very positive about the organisation. I am lyrical at conferences and events when I notice the good relationship between the IH affiliated schools, directors or DoSes. Even with a larger membership than ever, the sense of belonging to IH seems even stronger than a decade or so ago.’
Haycraft continues:
‘It's as if the school directors feel really pleased to be part of IH World, because of the stimulation it offers and all the interschool collaboration. That enthusiasm and collaboration always applied to the IH schools, and longer established affiliates are contributing to the IH pool of ideas and initiatives and give support to new affiliates, as they had been supported themselves.
This continues and now I find that even very recent affiliates soon start hosting conferences and giving talks, spreading novel ideas to their fellow affiliates. It's wonderful to see that the original IH concept is valid and still works well.
No doubt the Internet tools have facilitated contact and sparked off even more creativity, as well as cheaper travel. What probably matters most, though, is the genial and encouraging type of management and coordinators that steers the valiant IH fleet forward.’
To ensure that IH schools are able to provide the highest quality and most up to date services, they use up to date technology available for language teaching: interactive whiteboards, online study centres and skype. Facilities such as computers and free internet, which are available in most IH schools, make lessons challenging and entertaining. Programmes such as IH Keypals, IH Online Portal, IH Club and IH Blog have been developed thanks to Web 2.0 possibilities.
IH does not only teach English but also 16 different languages in IH Study Abroad schools. They provide excellent courses, homestay accommodation, excellent social activities and self-study options. This is the best opportunity to learn a language along with the culture of the language. As the organisation expands there will be new languages and new destinations in the IH Study Abroad offer.
In terms of future plans for IH, Michael Carrier, has a very clear strategy for the next 5 – 10 years:
‘We expect a lot of growth in the next years. Our strategy is first to develop new affiliated schools in all the capital cities that do not yet have an IH presence, and then to look for high quality partners in the other major cities of each country. In addition, we are constantly updating and extending our range of academic and promotional services to schools, so that we can help them to deliver the most innovative and high quality services to their clients.’
The 21st century IH, with over 55 years of experience and tradition, is a highly advanced, sophisticated and cosmopolitan organisation that guarantees high quality, stability and long term growth in all aspects of its business whilst making the most of its long expertise and tradition.
