International House Bogotá

What International House Bogotá does

International House Bogotá (operating as IH Colombia, Centro de Estudios IH, and branded "Live!" for online learning) is a Bogotá-headquartered, private language education institution that operates as the Colombian franchise of the International House World Organization (IHWO), the global network founded in London in 1953. The company has been operating in Colombia for over 25 years and runs 7 physical campuses across Bogotá (2 locations), Medellín, Cali (2), Barranquilla, and Neiva, supported by a 49-person team. It delivers English language instruction across all CEFR levels (A1–C2) in both in-person and online modalities, and serves as Colombia's largest Cambridge University Press & Assessment Platinum Authorized Centre in Latin America, with additional official test-center designations for IELTS (via IDP Education), Michigan English Test (MET), Linguaskill, and TEA (Test of English for Aviation, certified by Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia per Resolución No. 01135 of April 22, 2019).

The company's product portfolio spans four pillars: (1) general English courses via the Live! platform with subscription tiers ranging from $159-$399 USD/month; (2) exam preparation packages (IELTS Silver/Gold/Premium at $405-$1,099 USD; Cambridge Familiarización at $500 USD; MET packages at $299-$729 USD; TEA preparation in Colombian Pesos); (3) corporate English training with enterprise clients including Avianca, Seguros Bolívar, Abbott, Siemens Energy, SKF, John Crane, Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia, Migración Colombia, and Ministerio de Defensa; and (4) teacher training and academic programs (CAM, CELTA, CELTA+AI, DELTA, TKT, IHC+YL, CLIL, plus new Licenciatura and Maestría degrees). The technology stack consists of proprietary Live! online learning platform with 24/7 self-service access, digital study materials, and virtual classrooms; an IELTS preparation platform with exam simulations and progress reports; and the Live App for Cambridge prep. No public APIs or developer-facing integrations are exposed. Marketing is multi-channel across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Clientify scheduling with a free-trial-led sales motion.

The business model combines subscription recurring revenue (general English, Kids & Teens, corporate B2B), one-time payments (exam preparation packages, teacher training certifications), and transaction fees (exam registration: Cambridge $139-$346 USD per sitting, Linguaskill $30-$140 USD per module). In May 2024 the company secured formal authorization as Centro de Estudios IH via Resoluciones No. 01-0024 and 01-0032 from the Secretaría de Educación de Colombia, and holds ISO 9001:2015, NTC 5580:2011, and NTC 5555:2011 certifications. Ownership sits within the IHWO franchise/network structure rather than a venture-backed or public-company hierarchy, and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

International House Bogotá

Legal name

International House Bogotá

Website

https://ihcolombia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International House Bogotá is a Colombian English language education institution operating 7 campuses across Colombia as part of the global International House network, delivering CEFR-aligned courses, exam preparation (IELTS, Cambridge, MET, Linguaskill, TEA), corporate B2B training, and teacher certifications (CELTA, DELTA, CAM) to individual learners, enterprise clients, and aviation professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Education Services

NAICS

Language Schools (61163), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English Language Schools (ESL/EFL) (EDAIAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Teacher Training & Language Teaching Certifications (e.g., CELTA/DELTA) (EDAIAEAI), English Test Preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, etc.) (EDAAACAJ), Language School Placement Agencies & Aggregators (EDAIAEAM)

Keywords

• English language courses
• Exam preparation services
• Teacher training programs
• Corporate language training
• International certification exams

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Language Courses - General English: Recurring subscription-based courses from A1 to C2 levels, offered in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual plans. Includes group virtual classes, speaking practice acceleration hours, platform access, and personalized advising.
2. Exam Preparation Courses: One-time purchase courses focused on IELTS, Cambridge, MET, and other certification exam preparation. Packages include study hours, mock exams, feedback sessions, and free certification exam upon enrollment.
3. International Certification Exams: Registration fees for standardized English proficiency tests: IELTS, Cambridge (A1-C2 levels), Linguaskill, MET, TEA. Revenue per examination sitting with associated proctoring and certification issuance.
4. Corporate English Training: Customized in-company English language programs for enterprise clients. B2B recurring revenue with annual/semi-annual contracts, language audits, progress reporting, and HR integration.
5. Teacher Training Programs: Professional development certifications for English teachers: CAM, CELTA, CELTA+AI, DELTA, TKT, CLIL, IHC+YL, and Spanish ELE teacher training. Fee per program completion.
6. Kids & Teens Programs: Age-specific English language learning programs with cultural and artistic activities, online real-time classes, and interactive learning for children and teenagers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

International House Bogot\u00e1 provides English language instruction across CEFR levels A1\u2013C2 in both in-person (7 campuses across Colombia) and online (Live! platform) modalities, complemented by official international certification exam administration (IELTS, Cambridge, MET, Linguaskill, TEA) and dedicated preparation courses. The institution also delivers a separate teacher training portfolio (CELTA+AI, DELTA, CAM, TKT, IHC+YL, CLIL) and customized corporate English programs, with revenue drawn from subscription-based courses, one-time exam fees, and corporate training contracts.

Product overview

International House Bogotá operates as a multi-location language education institution offering a unified portfolio of language learning services across Colombia. The core offering comprises English language instruction (Live!) in both online and in-person modalities across CEFR levels A1-C2, supplemented by comprehensive international exam preparation programs for IELTS, Cambridge English, MET, Linguaskill, and TEA. The company maintains a distinct teacher training division providing professional development credentials including CAM, CELTA+AI, DELTA, TKT, IHC+YL, and CLIL. Additional services include corporate English training with customized curricula, Spanish immersion programs for foreigners, study abroad language programs, and specialized Kids & Teens courses. The institution operates 7 campuses across Colombia and holds authorized testing center status for major international English language certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Live!: Online English learning platform with classes in real time, offering courses from basic to advanced levels with Cambridge certification.
• Kids & Teens
• IELTS Preparation Programs

Products and services

• English Language Courses (Live!) English language instruction across CEFR levels A1 through C2 in live online (Live! platform) and in-person modalities at 7 Colombian campuses, taught by Cambridge-certified teachers with interactive platform access and international certification upon level completion.
• IELTS Preparation Courses Comprehensive IELTS exam preparation in Silver (20 hrs group), Gold (40 hrs + Master Class), and Premium (20 hrs 1-on-1 + personalized study plan) packages, with Macquarie University materials and instruction by IDP-certified Master Class Presenters. Optional exam-inclusive bundles available.
• Cambridge English Certification Exams Official Cambridge English certification exam registration and administration (Pre A1 Starters through C2 Proficiency) at the largest Cambridge Platinum Authorized Centre in Latin America, with exams available every Thursday across all 7 campuses.
• Michigan English Test (MET) Michigan English Test certification exams held every Wednesday, measuring English proficiency for young students and adults seeking admission to international university programs.
• Linguaskill Online adaptive English proficiency test by Cambridge assessing reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills aligned with CEFR levels from A2 to C2, offered in General and Business formats with on-site and remote delivery.
• Test of English for Aviation (TEA) Aviation English proficiency test certified by Colombia's Aeron\u00e1utica Civil (Resolution No. 01135 of April 22, 2019), assessing oral production against ICAO rating scales for pilots and air traffic controllers requiring licensing compliance.
• Corporate English Training Customized business English training programs for companies including linguistic audits, placement testing, tailored curriculum design by industry, on-site or virtual delivery, and progress reporting for HR departments.
• CAM in English Language Teaching Certificate in Advanced Methodology for experienced English teachers providing high-level methodological input and preparation for Diploma-level qualifications such as Cambridge DELTA, priced at $750 USD with digital certificate included.
• CELTA+AI Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults augmented with artificial intelligence training, preparing teachers for English language instruction worldwide under Cambridge standards.
• DELTA Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults, the highest internationally recognized TEFL qualification, providing advanced preparation for experienced English language teaching professionals.
• TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test) International teaching knowledge assessment moderated by Cambridge University, designed for native and non-native English teachers worldwide seeking foundational teaching credentials.
• IHC+YL (Young Learners) Diploma Diploma program focused on teaching English to children and adolescents, part of International House's teacher training portfolio for young-learner educators.
• CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) Teaching methodology program combining content instruction with language learning, designed for educators implementing Content and Language Integrated Learning approaches in their classrooms.
• Teaching Boosters Supplementary professional development courses for English language teachers seeking to enhance specific instructional skills beyond core certifications.
• Spanish Immersion Programs Spanish language courses for foreigners at Riviera Maya, Oaxaca, CDMX, and Bogot\u00e1, combining classroom instruction with cultural immersion activities.
• International Languages Abroad Study abroad language programs enabling students to learn English and other languages in France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Canada, USA, South Africa, China, and Ireland through the IHWO global network.
• Kids & Teens Programs English language courses designed for children and teenagers featuring interactive activities, cultural events, storytelling, and age-appropriate curriculum including Kids Adventurers and Teen World Trotters programs.
• Language Career Programs (Bachelor's and Master's Degrees) Comprehensive language career paths including undergraduate (Licenciatura) and master's degrees (Maestr\u00eda) in English Language Teaching and Education Administration, offered in mixed in-person and online modality.

Quantifiable outcome

• Student progress up to 3 times faster than other methods
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Aeronáutica Civil de ColombiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Government aviation authority that certified IH Colombia as official TEA (Test of English for Aviation) testing center under ICAO standards. Grants operational authority for administering aviation English proficiency exams for pilots and air traffic controllers via Resolution No. 01135 of April 22, 2019.
• Cambridge University Press & AssessmentcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1953Platinum Authorized Centre for Cambridge English examinations and educational materials. Largest such center in Latin America. IH Colombia administers Cambridge certification exams (A1-C2), uses Cambridge curriculum and assessment frameworks, and offers Cambridge teacher training (CELTA, DELTA, TKT).
• International House World Organisation (IHWO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1953Franchisor and global network of 160+ schools in 50 countries. Founded in London in 1953, IHWO provides methodology standards, quality inspections, teacher training frameworks, and international credential recognition. IH Colombia operates under IHWO franchise standards.
• IDP Education (IELTS Co-Founder)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner as co-founder of IELTS examination. IDP trains IH Colombia's Master Class Presenters, provides official exam materials, and enables IH to serve as official IELTS testing center. Joint development of preparation methodologies.
• Macquarie UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing exclusive IELTS preparation materials and methodology developed by the Australian university. Macquarie's evidence-based academic approach backs all IH Colombia IELTS preparation courses (Silver, Gold, Premium packages).
• Asociación Colombiana de Aviadores CivilesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCivil aviation pilots association partnered for TEA exam delivery. IH provides English proficiency testing services for association members requiring ICAO certification for licensing.
• Various Airlines (Avianca and others)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAirlines with Colombian operations requiring TEA certification for pilots. IH provides exam administration and preparation courses for airline crews.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• British Council Colombia: UK-government-affiliated cultural organization offering English courses and IELTS testing in Colombia; directly competes for the same high-end exam-prep and corporate clientele as IH Bogotá.
• EF Education First: Largest global private education company offering English courses, study abroad, and corporate language training across dozens of countries including Colombia; broader portfolio but overlapping core English-language offering.
• Berlitz Corporation: Long-established global language training provider with in-person and corporate programs; comparable on immersive language instruction and enterprise B2B delivery in LATAM markets.

Direct peers

• Wall Street English: Global chain of English language schools operating franchise-style in multiple LATAM and international markets; directly comparable to IH Colombia's in-person + blended English instruction model across CEFR levels.
• Kaplan International Languages: Global English-language school network operating in multiple countries with exam-preparation and university-pathway programs; comparable on CEFR-level courses and international certification partnerships.

Regional players

• Open English: Latin America-focused online English platform headquartered in Miami serving Spanish-speaking markets including Colombia; competes on convenience and price for adult learners in the same customer segment.
• Centro Colombo Americano: Bogotá-based binational English/Spanish language and cultural institution offering courses, exam prep, and cultural programming; directly comparable Colombian English-language competitor in the same geography.

Emerging players

• Linguameeting: Online live-language school specializing in Spanish-speaking markets with native-teacher sessions; competes with IH's Live! online platform on price and accessibility for adult learners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BogotaIH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/international-house-bogota
• Instagraminstagram.com/ihbogota

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 International House Bogotá