ABOUT US

Hello from Oxford!
My name is Maren, and I’m the founder of the Language Society Oxford.

My own journey with English wasn’t an easy one. In school, learning English was a struggle, and I found it hard to make progress. I was incredibly fortunate that, at 14, my parents sent me to stay with relatives in Australia. Suddenly, I was in a situation where English wasn’t just an academic subject—it was my only way to communicate with those around me. This experience changed everything. When I returned to Germany, I felt more comfortable with English, but being back in a large classroom of 32 students and with only 45-minute classes meant there was still little chance to speak. I realised then just how essential it is to actually speak a language to be able to learn it.

Years later, life brought me to London, where I faced the same reality again. I thought watching programmes in English and writing the occasional email would make it easier, but it didn’t. I found myself needing to have real-life conversations, and as daunting as it was, I couldn’t avoid speaking English. By doing so, my confidence quickly grew. With this new self-assurance, I built a career working at Oxford University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, where speaking and writing well are so incredibly important. This journey gave me a deep understanding of what many students face and the difference that real practice can make.

When I eventually moved to Oxford, I naturally wanted to apply this immersion formula to learning, so I founded a non-profit German Saturday School. But in Oxford, where many families have resources to maximise their children’s education, I wanted to do something more accessible—something that would reach children who don’t have these same advantages. And more importantly, I wanted others to experience what I did. It was more than just learning a language; it was the cultural elements that made it so fascinating. My experience in Australia was different from my experience in the UK because the people were different, and it’s the people who make communication interesting!
I thought, What if we brought together classes of children from different countries and backgrounds to learn together?

This idea inspired me to create Language Society Oxford (LSO), a programme that gives children from everywhere the chance to learn English in a supportive and engaging environment that they may not get at home. And what’s even better? They can have fun while learning.

The most rewarding part? Seeing the connections and friendships that form. Parents share photos and stories of play-dates between children who met in our classes. I’ve heard of families from Greece visiting friends in Switzerland, families from Finland spending their summers in Cyprus, and kids across continents dancing on screen together, laughing, and feeling part of something truly special. I get messages from parents thanking us for scholarships or sharing how LSO has changed their child’s life—especially for highly gifted children who sometimes feel misunderstood at school. I even receive tiny video clips of young children singing songs in the car that they learned with our music teacher, John, or hear about shy teens belting out Disney songs or coming up with fun, creative ways to express themselves in English. Watching these children come out of their shells is a real privilege.

With very best wishes,
Maren Florenz

Born: Germany
Living in: Oxford
Favourite subject in school: History
Least favourite: English
Favourite food: Sushi
Favourite musical: Hamilton