Kate Hargreaves and 30 years in UK ELT

Looking forward to spending less time with her laptop 

Kate, owner of Living Learning English and a former chair of English UK South West, said: "I'd like to have holidays where I don't have to carry my laptop and always be on call. I want to do some long-distance cycling and you can't really carry the school emergency phone and do that.  

Sport, grandchildren and hobbies 

"I've worked every summer for the last 30 years, my husband has retired and it's time to stop and join him. I have grandchildren to help look after, I do a lot of sport and want to do more. And I have so many hobbies." 

The future (and past) of Living Learning English 

Living Learning English (LLE) has been acquired by Academic Summer Ltd, and its CEO Helen Lami will succeed Kate as principal. Helen said "I've known Kate for over 20 years and always admired her deep commitment to quality education. Living Learning English is a gem, the company's total immersion approach aligns beautifully with our CLIL methodology and holistic values." Kate says the handover is "seamless" and that Helen will have more energy to deal with coming challenges such as the rise of AI.  

Kate founded LLE and a guardianship provider with a colleague in 1995 before going solo in 2003. The organisation's bespoke offer - teaching in the homes of teachers – appeals to learners at all ages and stages and had 300 tutors a decade ago.  

"You've got to be very fussy about the teachers doing this - their qualifications, their homes, the warmth of their welcome. You want them o deliver what you are telling your clients you are going to deliver," she said.  

Kate and Ukraine 

LLE had worked in Ukraine since 2007 and had many partners there and students in the UK. When Russia invaded, those connections became even more important. LLE's teachers wanted to host refugees, but with support and with help many Ukrainians were placed in safe family homes. 

LLE's partner agents Tetyana and Valeria Samborska from Business Link left the country, and Kate found them accommodation and offered office space. Together they set up a community interest company, Brightseeds Education, to help Ukrainians, which has placed children in summer camps, partnered with a Ukrainian charity for children who had lost one or both parents in the war, and is now supporting traumatised Ukrainians.  

Highlights of an ELT career 

Kate has loved the international travel and working with her "incredible" LLE team. "The kind of education we provide is quite unique and we have a lot of children with additional needs, on a slightly different journey to the regular language school model and seeing the incredible achievements and the feedback we get makes me proud. It's been an incredible experience and I've loved working in this industry. But it is your whole life – my family tell me I've earned years off in lieu! 

"And I'd like to thank everybody in the industry for all their kindness, love and support. It's a fabulous business – even if you are in competition with another school people will offer help and advice and that's something really special." 

Supporting and supported by English UK 

A former chair of English UK South West, Kate "loved" promoting the region and its language schools. "All of that networking when you are running a business by yourself is invaluable. People are friends and you learn things from other schools. You need that networking. 

"And English UK were fantastic in the pandemic – they completely rose to the challenge of supporting schools, providing guidance, policy and support to make things safe. The weekly meetings were great, and you didn't feel on your own. It was above and beyond."