What’s the secret to scaling a language company without losing its soul — or its standards? In this episode of the Language Leaders Podcast, Mickey Soto Firrell, founder and CEO of Teachify, shares his remarkable journey from mechanic to teacher to founder — and how he built something increasingly rare: a dedicated team of language trainers connected by community. You’ll learn: Why teacher culture is Teachify’s secret weapon – and how it’s helped retain both clients and staff How Mickey navigates the Fundae system, Spanish work culture, and compliance challenges Why real flexibility, smart use of AI, and strong client relationships still win in B2B 👉 Tune in today.

Is your AI tutor solving the right problem or just adding noise? In this special Language Leaders episode, four innovators share how they’re building AI tutors that don’t just talk, but teach. They support real pedagogy, personalisation and progress at scale. From B2C apps to corporate training and blended classrooms, this episode explores what makes an AI tutor effective and where it really adds value. You’ll learn: How ELSA evolved from phoneme-level feedback to adaptive AI tutors used by 50M+ learners Why scaffolding is key to learner depth and engagement, with insights from Language Coach AI’s Carla Wyburn How Babbel’s AI tutor bridges the ‘proficiency gap’ between structured lessons and real-world speaking Why Geoff Stead believes the next generation can't just be 'answer bots'. 👉 Tune in today.

What does it take to grow a solo startup into a leading consumer language brand, all without outside funding? François Fourmentin, CEO and co-founder of Cercle des Langues, shares how he scaled from tutoring teens to building a tech-enabled company now serving thousands of adult learners across France. You’ll learn how he: Bootstrapped the business from day one, pivoting fast and staying lean; Used technology to support strong pedagogy and streamline the teacher-student learning journey; Scaled culture intentionally by embedding values into hiring, training and performance systems. 👉 Tune in today.

How is AI reshaping the future of language learning? Join top language education leaders as they reveal insights into the most important trends of 2025, including AI. What do these trends mean for learners, educators, and language businesses? Our expert guests share their insights on: AI’s Impact on Language Education – How AI-driven tools are being integrated into learning while still preserving the value of human connection. The Changing Market for Language Education – How companies are adapting their services and marketing strategies in response to AI advancements. Leadership Insights for Language Innovators – Practical advice on navigating change, fostering innovation, and ensuring technology enhances effective learning. This thought-provoking conversation features: Tim Jordan - SVP of Product at Berlitz Heather Lo - Head of Product of Learnlight Stacy Richter - CEO of Live Lingua Vincent Gest - Founder of WEFIT Shoera Sels - AI Lead of BLCC Daniel Delgado - COO of Twenix Luka Smyth - Founder of Papo Gerardo Onega - Director of Marketing & Innovation at Vaughan Miriam Plieninger - Veteran Edtech Consultant If you lead a language business, product or team, you won't want to miss this. 👉 Tune in today.

In this episode, we sit down with Gio Giovannelli, President of Pearson’s English Language Learning division, to tackle one of the most important questions in language education today: does it still make sense to learn a language in the age of AI? AI may offer seamless translation, but as Gio explains, “Language is something much deeper than that.” This thought-provoking conversation explores: AI’s impact on language learning: Hear how one of the world’s largest learning companies is thinking about and responding to AI. Communicating the hidden value of language learning: Equip yourself with the knowledge and language to successfully sell the cognitive, cultural, and professional benefits that make language learning even in an AI-driven world. Leadership lessons for language innovators: Gain practical advice on leading change, fostering creativity, and building resilient teams This episode is brought to you by LearnCube – the virtual classroom made exclusively for online language education. 👉 Tune in today.

In this unusual episode of the Language Leaders Podcast, we dive into the key insights from Alex Asher’s latest white paper, “LangTech in the AI Era.” Just like in the written paper, we tackle key questions shaping the future of language education including: - Will generative AI replace teachers? - Will generative AI make learning a language obsolete? - How are language businesses using generative AI? What sets this episode apart? Much of it was created by AI itself. The main conversation was auto-generated in minutes using Google Notebook technology, with Alex’s commentary delivered via a world-leading ai-powered text-to-speech engine. This episode isn’t just a conversation about AI - it’s a real-world demonstration of how AI is intersecting with and expanding the possibilities in education and for educators. 👉 Tune in to discover how AI is transforming language learning today and what that means for educators and learners tomorrow. P.S. To gain access to the white paper go to https://go.learncube.com/langtech-in-ai-era-whitepaper

In this episode, we dive deep into this year's Language Leaders Content Generation Summit 2024 to uncover how AI is reshaping workflows and enhancing the quality of lesson materials and language curricula. Our panellists include: Federico Espinosa (VP of Learning at Lingoda) discusses the pedagogical opportunities and challenges of integrating generative AI into the process of curriculum development. Amer Bashimam (Product Manager at English Central) shares his personal experience with developing English Central's AI tutor, Mimi, while revealing their approach to overcoming common technical hurdles using AI. Wilim Abrook (Head of Education at LearnCube) details the key learnings from developing LearnCube's AI Teacher Assistant and explains how fine-tuning large language models might be the answer to high-quality, tailored content for learners. You'll also hear from Carla Wyburn, CEO of Language Coach AI, and Jonathan Archibold, CTO of Lingoda, as they tackle critical questions around CEFR levelling and the future of AI-powered language teaching. 👉 Don’t miss these exclusive insights from this transformative language industry event. Tune in today!

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Marmorstein, Chief Learning Officer at Global LT, as he shares insights from his three-decade journey in the language education industry. Discover the pivotal moments that shaped Jack’s career, from his early days as a PhD candidate to becoming one of the first employees at Rosetta Stone. Hear Jack’s reflections on navigating multiple tech revolutions, including surviving an IPO, and how these experiences have influenced his approach to leadership. Get his take on the future of AI in language learning and why human-led training will always remain essential. 👉 Tune in today.

In this episode, we sit down with Santiago Ruiz de Velasco, Managing Director of Oxford University Press's English Language Teaching division, as he shares his remarkable journey through the world of education and publishing. Discover the pivotal moments that shaped Santiago’s career, including: From Dining Room to Boardroom: Learn how Santiago’s move from Spain to the UK led him to a lifelong career in education, starting with Pearson and eventually leading global operations. Embracing Challenges: Santiago reflects on overcoming language barriers and professional hurdles, revealing how these experiences have made him a more resilient leader. Global Impact and Responsibility: Explore Santiago's approach to leading one of education's most trusted brands amidst unprecedented technological disruption. This episode was brought to you by LearnCube - the only virtual classroom made exclusively for online language teaching. Whether you're an aspiring langtech entrepreneur or a seasoned language industry leader, this episode offers valuable lessons on global leadership, adaptability, and the power of passion in driving success. 👉 Tune in today.

Ever wondered how industry leaders achieve such high retention rates? This episode reveals insider strategies and real-world success stories from three expert panelists at the Language Leaders Student Retention Summit 2024. This includes three proven strategies: Targeting Learner Groups: Anja Spilker (Founder and CEO) shares how Zaloa Languages transformed retention rates by understanding and targeting specific learner groups. Multilingual Coaching: Kristina Curtis Ekiz (VP of Customer and Learner Operations) reveals how personalised support in learners' native languages at EnGen boosted engagement and motivation, backed by data. Data-Driven Success: Laiz Maiochi (VP of Customer Success at Voxy) demonstrates how aligning business and learner goals with benchmarks can dramatically improve retention and prove ROI to stakeholders. You'll also hear from Alex Asher, CEO of LearnCube and co-author of LangTech, who presents the latest research on effective retention strategies from over a dozen language leaders worldwide. 👉 Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights from this one-of-a-kind language industry event. Tune in today.

Discover how Matthew Radich turned his passion for teaching into a thriving, bootstrapped online language school. In this inspiring episode, we uncover the journey behind The English Farm and explore: Winning One Niche at a Time: Uncover the surprising market gap Matthew identified and how he leveraged it to catapult The English Farm to success in Japan's competitive language learning landscape. Building a Global Team: Gain insights into creating a culture of trust and autonomy that attracts and retains top teaching talent across the world. Balancing Innovation and Perseverance: Understand the delicate dance between pushing technological boundaries and maintaining the grit to overcome entrepreneurial challenges. Whether you're an aspiring edtech entrepreneur or a seasoned language industry leader, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons on building a successful online language school. 👉 Tune in today.

How did Gaku Nakamura build the biggest online English tutorial company in Japan and the Philippines? In this rare interview, Gaku and I explore: The Founding of RareJob: Trace Gaku's journey from a bold startup in 2007 to a global leader in online English education. Thriving in the Competitive Japanese Market: Gain insights and practical advice on succeeding in Japan's unique business landscape. Innovation and Opportunity: Discover how RareJob is leaning into AI with its own AI-driven business English-speaking test, Progos. 👉 Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights from a pioneering language leader. Tune in today.

How did Sana Ronda transform a struggling 20th-century brand into a thriving 21st-century corporate language training empire, now serving over 13,000 learners annually? Discover the secrets of B2B success in the latest episode of the Language Leaders Podcast. Sana is one of the most resilient and charismatic language leaders I've interviewed. In our conversation, we explore: The founding of Linguaphone, tracing Sana's journey from scrappy startup in 2005 to the leader of a language empire today; No-nonsense advice on how to thrive in corporate sectors in France; Turning crisis into opportunity time after time during Sana's 19-year entrepreneurial journey (You'll respect her as much as I do once you hear her stories from the 2008 financial crisis and COVID-19.). 👉 Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights from a seasoned language leader. Tune in today.

Discover the unique journey of a family-owned business that has emerged as the leading language training provider for the Canadian government.   In this episode, Jeremy Frohlich, COO of LRDG, offers an insider's look into blending family values with the aspirations of building a globally recognised language training service.   In our conversation, we delve into: The origins of LRDG, highlighting Jeremy's transition from sales to leadership within the family business. The intricacies and strategies behind successfully navigating government tenders and contracts, offering invaluable insights for businesses eyeing public sector partnerships (B2G). How governments are thinking about AI and how to find the right balance between compliance and progress. Tune in today. 

The U.S. presents unique challenges and opportunities for ESL education, catering to a diverse population of immigrants, refugees, and speakers of other languages. In this episode with Katie Brown, founder and Chief Education Officer at EnGen, we delve into: The founding journey of EnGen, aimed at empowering non-native speakers with essential English skills for inclusion and economic mobility. A deep dive into the ESL education landscape in the U.S., highlighting the needs of immigrants and refugees, and how EnGen addresses these through technology and personalized learning. Expert advice from Katie on navigating and succeeding in the ESL education space, and the upcoming trends poised to reshape language learning. Join us for an insightful conversation on transforming ESL education with Katie Brown. Tune in today.

Japan is one of the largest markets of language education in the world but is a challenging market to enter. In this episode with Tyson Batino, the visionary behind two successful English language schools in Japan, we discuss: How Tyson founded and scaled his language businesses, One Coin English and Japan Switch Explains the language education ecosystem in Japan including Eikaiwa, Gakudo and afternoon schools, Jukus (cram schools), online teaching and more. Provides advice on how to win the Japanese market and what trends are likely to impact the future of language education. Tune in today.

Want to learn from an entrepreneur who completed the language entrepreneur journey from founding to selling? If so, then you won't want to miss this episode featuring Ray Blakney. Ray is the mastermind behind Live Lingua, an online language school that he co-founded in 2008 and sold in 2023. In this episode, Ray shares his remarkable journey and discusses a variety of topics related to entrepreneurship and the language teaching business:- The founding story of Live Lingua- How to scale an online language business (and get to the top of Google)- The future of the language learning sector- The potential impacts of AI on language learning You will want to listen to this podcast episode if you want to gain valuable insights on entrepreneurship, language teaching, and business success. Gain practical tools and perspectives to navigate today's dynamic landscape.

In this episode, we talk with Michal Kelles-Krauz, the co-founder of Angloville and Tutlo, about his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he faced, and the unique concepts behind each of them. If you’re interested in startups and the power of pursuing one’s dreams, this conversation is definitely worth a listen.   Note: If you prefer to read the transcript of this episode, please visit https://blog.learncube.com/tutlo

How do you lead product at a top-tier corporate language training company?  In this episode with Natalia Jaszczuk, Head of Product at Learnlight, we dive deep into the crossroads of pedagogy and product development to answer: - What's the right balance (or "tension") between pedagogy and product? - How do we overcome the common challenges for product teams in language businesses? - What is the role of AI in language education now and looking into the future?   This was a fascinating conversation and one you won't want to miss. Tune in today.

In this episode, I sit down with Giacomo Moiso, the co-founder of Fluentify.  Together, we dive into Fluentify's impressive transformation: from a budding B2C startup to a key player in the B2B corporate language training sector in Europe. We'll follow Giacomo's inspiring story, the key strategies to sell successfully to large organisations and get a sense of where the market is going. If you want to learn more about how to succeed in the corporate language training space, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Tune in today and don't forget to subscribe.