Living Learning English

What Living Learning English does

Living Learning English is a UK-based private education company founded in 1995 in Bristol, operating a network of 100+ vetted, police-checked teachers delivering one-to-one and two-to-one English language courses through two channels: homestay immersion (students live and study in their teacher's UK home) and online lessons (one-to-one video via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet, available since 2018). The portfolio spans General English, Business English, English Plus (activity-based), English for Teachers, Crash Courses, Young Learners (ages 10–17), Parent & Child, Summer International 2:1 (nationality-mixed pairing), and Academic pathway programmes including IELTS, Cambridge, GCSE, A Level, and boarding-school preparation. A wholly-owned subsidiary, Living Learning Languages Ltd, extends the homestay model to Spanish courses in Spain.

The technology stack centers on a custom one-to-one video platform with file sharing and real-time shared whiteboard, complemented by Student, Teacher, and Partner portals (built on the IQ2U framework) that handle booking management, scheduling, document upload, and progress tracking. A Brevo-powered chatbot handles website enquiries, and Flywire provides international payment processing. The company holds British Council accreditation, English UK membership, Quality English licensing, and EL Gazette Centre of Excellence recognition, with GDPR-compliant data handling.

Revenue is generated primarily through course fees ranging from £1,295 to £2,470 per week for homestay programmes and pay-as-you-go online blocks of 5–10 hours, supplemented by exam booking administration fees, optional extras (private bathroom, extra nights, airport transfers), and a £200 booking deposit. The go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer website bookings, a global educational agent network with a dedicated partner portal, and school/university partnerships for academic pathway referrals. In September 2025, Academic Summer acquired the company, with founder Kate Hargreaves retiring and Helen Lami becoming Principal; the two firms now operate as sister companies.

Name

Living Learning English

Legal name

Living Learning English Limited

Website

https://livingenglish.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Living Learning English is a Bristol-based, family-founded education provider (since 1995) delivering one-to-one English immersion through UK homestay courses and online lessons to international students, professionals, families, and academic pathway learners via a 100+ teacher network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Education Services

NAICS

Language Schools (611630)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English Language Schools (ESL/EFL) (EDAIAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

One-to-One Immersion & Homestay Language Programs (EDAIAEAH), Live Online Language Tutoring & Small-Group Classes (EDAMAFAD), English Test Preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, etc.) (EDAAACAJ)

Keywords

• English language courses
• Homestay language tuition
• Online English lessons
• IELTS exam preparation
• Business English training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Homestay English Tuition: One-to-one and two-to-one English language courses where students live with their teacher. Revenue from tuition fees (15-30 hours per week), accommodation, and all meals included. Course durations from 1 week to 6 months.
2. Online English Tuition: One-to-one online English lessons via video platform. Revenue from hourly/daily lessons booked in blocks of 5 or 10 hours. Available since 2018.
3. Spanish Courses: Total immersion Spanish language courses in Spain, operated by Living Learning Languages Ltd.
4. Exam Booking Fees: Administration fees for booking external examinations including IELTS, Cambridge, and other English proficiency tests.
5. Optional Extras: Additional revenue from private bathroom (£225/week), extra nights (£150/night), additional tutorials (£70/hour), airport transfers, and activity packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Living Learning English delivers one-to-one and two-to-one personalized English language courses via two channels: homestay immersion in vetted UK teacher homes (including accommodation and meals) and online one-to-one tuition via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet. The curriculum spans General English, Business English, Academic English, Young Learners, English Plus, Crash Course, IELTS preparation, and Long-Term Students programmes, with durations from 1 week to 6 months and 15-30 tuition hours per week. A sister sub-brand, Living Learning Spanish, extends the homestay immersion model to Spanish courses in Spain.

Product overview

Living Learning English operates a portfolio of personalized English language education products delivered through two primary channels: Homestay Courses (students live in their teacher's UK home for total immersion) and Online Courses (one-to-one video lessons via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet). The core offering includes General English, Business English, Academic English, and Young Learners programmes as distinct course types. Specialized modules include English Plus (activity-based), English for Teachers, Crash Courses (intensive 4-day), and Parent & Child options. Academic offerings span from exam preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge) to long-term student support. A sister brand, Living Learning Spanish, extends the homestay immersion model to Spanish language learning in Spain. All programmes feature one-to-one or two-to-one tuition with personalized study plans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homestay English Courses (Home Tuition) Total immersion English language courses where students live and study in their teacher's UK home for one-to-one or two-to-one personalized tuition, with accommodation, all meals, and cultural activities included. Covers all skill levels from beginner to advanced, with durations from 1 week to 6 months and 15-30 tuition hours per week. Course types include General English, Business English, Academic English, English Plus, English for Teachers, Young Learners, Parent & Child, Summer International 2:1, Crash Course, English for Exams, IELTS preparation, Academic Holiday, and Long-Term Students.
• Online English Tuition One-to-one online English language courses delivered via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet using an interactive platform with real-time shared whiteboard, file sharing, and homework provision. Booked in blocks of 5 or 10 hours with a minimum 5-hour booking. Available as General English, Business English, English for Teachers, IELTS preparation, and Crash Course formats, serving students who cannot travel to the UK for homestay courses.
• Living Learning Spanish Total immersion Spanish language courses in Spain delivered via the same homestay model as Living Learning English's English courses, operated through wholly-owned subsidiary Living Learning Languages Ltd. Includes General Spanish, Young Learner Spanish, Business Spanish, Spanish Plus, Spanish for Teachers, and Crash Course options, taught by teachers hosting students in their homes in Spain.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of students would recommend Living Learning English
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Brightseeds Education (formerly BHSU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Living Learning English supports Brightseeds Education in providing free English courses for Ukrainian children affected by the war. Partnership to empower Ukrainians through education.
• Academic SummercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Academic Summer Ltd acquired Living Learning English in September 2025. Academic Summer CEO Helen Lami succeeded founder Kate Hargreaves as Principal. Both companies are now sister companies under shared ownership, combining Living Learning English's one-to-one homestay immersion with Academic Summer's group programs and CLIL methodology.
• British CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiving Learning English is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. LLE shares contact details with British Council inspectors for reaccreditation inspections every four years.
• English UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of English UK, the national association of accredited English language centres in the United Kingdom, associated with the British Council.
• Quality EnglishcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensed school under Quality English, an international network of quality English language schools. Quality English visit in March 2025 recognized the school for surpassing expectations on every level.
• FlywiresupportingTechnology or IntegrationInternational payment processing partner enabling secure payments from students worldwide. Handles course fees and other payments through online payment or bank transfer.
• GuardMesupportingTechnology or IntegrationTravel insurance provider included free with all courses. Covers medical treatment, cancellation, abandonment, quarantine, and repatriation. Provided through partnership with Living Learning English.
• BrevosupportingTechnology or IntegrationChatbot technology provider for the Living Learning English website, providing prompt and efficient responses to customer queries.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Preply: Online marketplace connecting language learners with one-to-one tutors globally, including English. Represents a competitive threat to LLE's online English stream via lower-cost, broader-supply alternatives, though lacks the immersive homestay and accredited institutional offering.
• italki: Global online language learning platform connecting students with community and professional tutors for one-to-one lessons. Competes directly with LLE's online English tuition on convenience, pricing, and tutor variety, though without accreditation or homestay offering.

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: World's largest private education company, offering English language courses worldwide with homestay, online, and immersive programs. Comparable in product category (English language tuition and cultural immersion) and customer overlap (international students), though at much greater scale and with broader course delivery.
• Kaplan International Languages: Major English-language school operator serving international students in English-speaking countries, with homestay accommodation options alongside classroom-based courses. Overlaps with LLE on international student recruitment, homestay lodging, and exam preparation services.

Direct peers

• St Giles International: British Council-accredited English language school group with homestay and online offerings, serving similar international student segments and exam preparation needs. Directly comparable on accreditation, course structure, and international customer mix.
• Bell English: British Council-accredited UK English language school operating junior, adult, and teacher training programs with year-round courses. Comparable offering for international students including young learners and teachers, with overlapping accreditations and customer segments.
• International House London: Accredited UK English language teacher training and English language school with a global network. Comparable in offering accredited English courses and teacher training (LLE has English for Teachers), with similar adult and professional student segments.
• Wimbledon School of English: British Council-accredited London-based English language school offering general, business, and exam preparation courses with homestay accommodation. Directly comparable product offering, accreditation profile, and international student focus.
• Frances King School of English: London-based British Council-accredited English language school offering adult and junior programs with homestay accommodation options. Comparable in target audience, course mix, and homestay integration; both serve premium international learner segments.
• EC English Language Centres: Global chain of accredited English language schools serving adult and young learner international students, offering general English, business English, and exam preparation. Mirrors LLE's course portfolio (general/business/academic/young learners) and accreditations (accredited English language centres).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@LivingLearningEnglish
• Facebookfacebook.com/livinglearningenglish
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/living-learning-english
• Instagraminstagram.com/living_learning_english
• Xx.com/LLE_English

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Living Learning English