Meet the team →

Advisory Board →

TERM DATES →

A Note from Our Founder

As a child growing up in Germany, I struggled to learn English at school. Some of my teachers were excellent. Others were not. Looking back, however, I realised that the biggest challenge wasn't the teachers themselves. It was the classroom.

With more than 30 children in a class and lessons lasting just 45 minutes, there was very little opportunity to actually speak English. Most of the time we learned vocabulary, completed grammar exercises and prepared for tests. Although I spent years studying English, I never felt comfortable communicating in it.

Everything changed when I was fourteen and my parents sent me to stay with relatives in Australia. For the first time, English wasn't simply a school subject. It became my only way to communicate, make friends and experience another culture. I quickly realised that languages aren't learned by memorising vocabulary - they are learned by using them.

When I returned to Germany, I was back in a classroom with more than 30 students and very few opportunities to speak.
Years later, after moving to London, I experienced exactly the same thing again. Watching television and reading books helped, but nothing compared to having real conversations every day. The more I spoke, the more natural English became.

The Founder of Language Society Oxford.

That journey eventually led me to Oxford, where I am working for Oxford University. Surrounded by people from all over the world, I was reminded once again that language is far more than grammar and vocabulary. It is how we build friendships, exchange ideas and discover different cultures. Those experiences stayed with me.

I began asking myself a simple question.

  • What if children didn't have to wait until they moved abroad to experience language like this?

  • What if they could communicate with children from different countries every Saturday?

  • What if English became something they used naturally instead of something they simply studied?

That idea became Language Society Oxford.

Historic university building with a large domed roof and classical stone architecture.

I wanted to create the programme I wish I had as a child.

  • A place where children actually use English.

  • A place where children from around the world learn together.

  • A place where highly gifted children meet others who think like they do.

  • A place where young athletes continue learning while travelling internationally.

  • A place where parents from all backgrounds have the opportunity to give their children an exceptional start in life.

  • Above all, I wanted every child - wherever they live: To Zoom to Oxford.

Today, seeing those friendships grow, hearing children laugh together and watching them discover the joy of communicating in English reminds me every week why Language Society Oxford exists.

Thank you for being part of our story.

background image of historic university building with a large domed roof and classical stone architecture.
logo with shapes.

Meet the Team

Teacher Jasmine image.

  • Since joining Language Society Oxford in 2024, I've had the pleasure of teaching our highly gifted learners.

    One of the things I love most is discovering what fascinates my students and building lessons around their curiosity. No two Saturdays are ever the same. Recently, one child asked if we could learn all about honey badgers—so that's exactly what we did!

    I believe children learn best when they are encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas and follow their interests. Every lesson is shaped by the children in front of me, making learning both meaningful and enjoyable.

    Before joining Language Society Oxford, I taught in schools across Oxford, Cambridge and London. I also hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Cambridge and a Master's degree in Education, specialising in early literacy.

    I look forward to welcoming you to my class!

Teacher Sarah image.

  • I'm originally from London and have been part of Language Society Oxford since 2024.

    I began teaching our Squirrels and now have the privilege of teaching the Little Unicorns, where every Saturday is filled with curiosity, wonderful questions and enthusiastic young learners.

    I love creating lessons where children feel excited to participate, share their ideas and discover new things together. Watching highly gifted children inspire one another is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

    Seeing children return each week, eager to reconnect with friends from around the world and continue their learning journey, is what makes Saturdays so special.

    I look forward to welcoming you to my class!

Teacher Caryn image.

  • I've been part of the Language Society Oxford family for more than three years, and I absolutely love teaching our Global Learners.

    Every Saturday, I build my lessons around the topics that genuinely interest today's teenagers. Rather than relying on textbooks written years ago, we explore current events, music, technology, future careers and the questions that matter most to my students.

    I believe the best way to learn a language is by using it. My classroom is a place where students ask questions, debate ideas, challenge one another's thinking and enjoy meaningful conversations in English.

    One of the greatest joys is watching students who were once hesitant speakers become confident communicators. Many of them have been learning together for years, creating a classroom where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas.

    I look forward to welcoming you to my class!

Teacher Alice image.

  • I've been part of Language Society Oxford since 2023, where I teach our Unicorns and serve as Chief Scholarship Director.

    I believe highly gifted students learn best when they're challenged to think deeply, question ideas and explore different perspectives. My lessons are filled with discussion, debate and the excitement of discovering something new.

    One of my favourite moments happened during a debate when a student paused, smiled and said to a classmate:

    "I started off completely sure of my opinion, but you've just rearranged my brain."

    Those are exactly the moments I hope to create—when students leave the classroom thinking differently than when they arrived.

    With more than twenty years of experience in education, I continue to be inspired every Saturday by the curiosity, creativity and intelligence of our highly gifted teenagers.

    I look forward to welcoming you to my class!

Teacher Tamta image.

  • I've been part of Language Society Oxford since the very beginning, and it has been a privilege to watch so many children develop their English, build international friendships and grow together over the years.

    Every Saturday, I teach our Young Learners. I believe children learn best when lessons are interactive, engaging and centred around real communication. Through games, stories, discussions and creative activities, I encourage every child to use English naturally while exploring topics that spark their curiosity.

    One of my favourite moments each week is seeing children reconnect with friends from around the world, excited to continue conversations that began the previous Saturday.

    Alongside teaching at Language Society Oxford, I specialise in teacher development and hold the Cambridge CELTA and DELTA qualifications, as well as Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English Philology.

    I look forward to welcoming you to my class!

Music teacher John image.

  • I’ve been part of the Language Society Oxford family for more than two years, and every Saturday I have the pleasure of bringing music into every one of our classrooms.

    Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together. Our children come from more than 21 countries and speak many different first languages, but the moment we start singing or making music, those differences disappear. Music becomes a language that everyone understands, helping children connect, communicate and learn together from the very first note.

    I’ve worked in music education for more than 20 years and, alongside Language Society Oxford, I compose music for educational games, films and documentaries. I also perform professionally and lead five community choirs.

    With our youngest learners, we sing simple songs that help children develop their English naturally through rhythm, repetition and movement. As students grow older, we explore everything from melody, harmony and songwriting to film music, game soundtracks and how music expresses emotion and tells stories.

    One of my favourite moments each week is hearing children from different countries singing together. Long before they become fluent in English, they discover that music has the power to connect people from all over the world.

Teacher Megan image.

  • I've been part of Language Society Oxford since the very beginning, where I teach o
    ur Ladybirds and Bumblebees and serve as Deputy Director. It is a privilege to be part of a community that brings children from around the world together every Saturday.

    My lessons are filled with music, stories, interactive games and conversation, creating a warm and playful environment where children develop their English naturally. One of my favourite topics is food, and I always enjoy hearing children tell me about their favourite fruits, vegetables and meals.

    Watching children become more confident in speaking English is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Seeing them arrive each Saturday with a smile and leave even happier makes every lesson special.

    Alongside my work at Language Society Oxford, I am completing a PhD in Music. Music, singing and movement play an important role in my teaching, helping young children learn English in a fun, engaging and memorable way.

Advisory Board

  • PROF. DR. JUSTIN BENESCH

    Professor of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Oxford

  • DR. JANNIS DIETRICH-WEBB

    Senior Associate, Greenberg Traurig | Berlin

  • DR. SILJA MILLER

    Columbia Law, Corporate Lawyer , Covington & Burling LLP | New York

  • CAROLINE KUKURA

    Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Nuffield College, University of Oxford

  • PROF. DR. ANDREAS MEIER

    Professor Emeritus / Retired, Bergische Universität Wuppertal

  • GÜNTHER VON BILLERBECK

    Director German Saturday School, Oxford

Historic university campus with an ornate stone bridge connecting two academic buildings.
Historic university campus with an ornate stone bridge connecting two academic buildings.

Why Online?

The online classroom allows us to bring together children who would otherwise never meet.

Every Saturday, children from different countries, cultures and backgrounds join the same classroom. They learn together, discuss ideas together and form friendships that often continue long after the lesson has ended.

For us, online learning is not a compromise.

It is what makes this international community possible.

Student participating in a live online class with classmates in a video conference on a laptop.
Illustrated collection of university buildings, academic landmarks, and an open book representing education.

Looking Ahead

Language Society Oxford is about much more than learning English.

It is about opening doors, creating opportunities and helping children discover that learning can be something they genuinely enjoy.

With very best wishes from Oxford,
Maren Florenz, Founder

Term Dates

  • TERM 4 | 2026

    August
    08.08.2026 | 15.08.2026 | 22.08.2026 | 29.08.2026

    September
    05.09.2026 | 12.09.2026 | 19.09.2026 | 26.09.2026

    October
    03.10.2026

  • TERM 5 | 2026

    October
    17.10.2026 | 24.10.2026 | 31.10.2026

    November
    07.11.2026 | 14.11.2026 | 21.11.2026 | 28.11.2026

    December
    05.12.2026 | 12.12.2026

  • TERM 1 | 2027

    January
    09.01.2027 | 16.01.2027 | 23.01.2027 | 30.01.2027

    February
    06.02.2027 | 13.02.2027 | 20.02.2027 | 27.02.2027

    March
    06.03.2027

  • TERM 2 | 2027

    March
    20.03.2027 | 27.03.2027

    April
    03.04.2027 | 10.04.2027 | 17.04.2027 | 24.04.2027

    May
    01.05.2027 | 08.05.2027 | 15.05.2027

  • TERM 3 | 2027

    May
    29.05.2027

    June
    05.06.2027 | 12.06.2027 | 19.06.2027 | 26.06.2027

    July
    03.07.2027 | 10.07.2027 | 17.07.2027 | 24.07.2027