WE'RE PASSIONATE
...about the potential of language learning and education in transforming lives for the better. And we deeply care about helping refugees and migrants to integrate into their host country. However long they stay.
Through decades of experience, we’ve learned the specific needs of refugee and migrant learners. And over the years, we’ve established a framework that helps teachers - whether new or established - feel confident when they enter an ERM classroom.
Wherever they are in the world.
We’re also experienced teacher trainers and course designers.Â
​We understand the benefits of reflection, self-analysis and constant improvement. We know how to write and structure courses that engage you, keep you focused on what’s important, and create long-lasting impact.
Like all good teachers, we try to keep learning.
Our refugee and migrant students have taught us a phenomenal amount over the years. About resilience and the effects of stress and trauma. But also about hope, optimism and community.
At base, we’ve learned how to lead a class where our students leave feeling not only more empowered with knowledge, but happier going out than they were coming in.
And that, as teachers, is what makes our job so rewarding.
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Stephanie Lam has been teaching English to refugees, migrants and ex-prisoners for 25 years at two Immigration Removal Centres at Gatwick Airport.
The centre mostly contains short-term residents - although some can stay for months, if not years.
This means Stephanie is adept at managing a drop-in class with a wildly different mix of learners each session, from all backgrounds and all levels of English.
Stephanie is an expert on managing stress, trauma and chaos in the ERM classroom.
She is also a published author, journalist, and experienced public speaker. She writes and speaks on self-care, resilience, and displacement.
Chris Moore has been teaching, designing courses, training language teachers and running schools since 1989.
He's managing director of Specialist Language Courses, and has created and managed a wide range of online courses for refugee and migrant learners since 2018.
Chris works closely with Strategic Migration Partnerships in the East of England, Yorkshire and West Midlands, RefuAid/Breaking Barriers, the Lincolnshire Refugee Doctor Project, and NHS England on their Displaced Talent programme for refugee nurses.
Chris also recently served 6 years as Trustee and Board Member of Eaquals, the world’s leading international language education accreditation body. He is also Director of EALTHY, the global association for the professional development of teachers of English for Healthcare.
Partners
