Meg Languages has been recognized as a WBA Winner for Business Excellence in the World Business Awards 2022. The World Business Award for Business Excellence [BXA] recognizes organizations that have successfully implemented initiatives that demonstrate excellence in business management.
Meg Languages is an innovative Australian company offering live and interactive Mandarin and Spanish language programs to over 50,000 school students all over the world each week. Through leveraging technology to broadcast native language teachers directly into the classroom, Meg Languages builds language capability while immersing students in a new culture, turning students into global citizens.
In an increasingly globalised and interconnected world, the need for students to become culturally aware, bilingual global citizens is more important than ever. A second language is an immensely useful skill which can give students a global outlook, bring them more opportunities throughout life and provide them with a competitive edge in their career. Learning a second language can foster positive attitudes towards other people and cultures and instil confidence in students as they embark on a journey to find their place within the world.
Learning a second language also boosts brain plasticity through the use of extensive neural networks, enhances listening skills and memory, builds soft skills and improves the knowledge of one’s own native language. It’s also a lot of fun!
And yet the study of languages in schools is increasingly under threat.
Australia has seen a steady decline in foreign language proficiency over the last 60 years. About 40% of Australian students studied a language in the 1960s, now it’s closer to 10%. One of the key reasons for this is a serious shortage of local language teachers. The number of language graduates coming out of universities is dwindling, with most likely to enter other professions. For schools, it’s become increasingly challenging to introduce a sustainable language program.
By recognising that learning should not be restricted to the four walls of the classroom, Meg Languages is innovating to meet this challenge. Through leveraging the use of technology, Meg Languages takes the headache out of starting and sustaining a foreign language program in schools. Language programs are purpose-built for state curriculums and involve live and interactive virtual lessons with native language teachers broadcast directly into the classroom. Not only does this solve the teacher shortage, it also serves to deliver a more equitable education experience, with disadvantaged schools gaining access to tier one language programs.
This learning model also creates a fully immersive and authentic language experience which connects the student with the context of the language. Students get to regularly speak to a native speaker on the ground in Latin America or China, which is the next closest thing to being there. Students get a real world insight into what life is like in a different part of the world, by connecting with someone who lives and breathes that language and culture every single day. Students can enjoy the Beijing cityscape out of their teacher’s window or join their teacher for a virtual meal in a Bogota restaurant, which increases student excitement, curiosity, engagement and motivation.
Complementary to its Mandarin and Spanish language programs, Meg Languages’ Going Global offering supports schools to become globally competent through a variety of initiatives such as festivals, language competitions and virtual excursions. A core part of Meg Languages’ ethos is to recognise that learning is more effective when meaningful communities are created and engaged with purpose. Through facilitating cross border and inter-school connections they are building strong communities of global citizens.
History & Founders
Meg Languages was founded by childhood friends Tom Shugg and Sam Dean in 2012. Tom first went to China as a teenager which would spark a love for the country and language. He would go on to live and work in China for over a decade.
Tom wondered how we could make it easier for people to learn a language and do a better job of getting people as excited as he is about languages. This set the wheels in motion for what would eventually become Meg Languages.
Seeing a gap in the provision of Mandarin education in Australia, he partnered with Sam and launched My Chinese Tutor from the spare room in his Beijing apartment. My Chinese Tutor focussed on private students, but we soon discovered that to reach as many students as possible, and meet our mission, we needed to look beyond one-on-one tutoring. We realised that by working with schools, it would build a more sustainable business. It can be hard to get students engaged for the long-term through one-on-one tutoring, which leads to a higher turnover of students. Hence we pivoted the business accordingly.
In the process we discovered there was a real need for alternative ways to deliver language programs in schools due to language teacher shortages. Finding access to high quality Chinese language teachers was a problem faced by many schools. We were able to fill this gap and make an important impact.
After a few years we expanded to include Spanish language programs and the rest is history.
Purpose, Vision & Values
Meg Languages rigorously pursues our purpose and is driven by our mission and vision.
– Our purpose: To create a more interconnected, peaceful and empathetic world. Language study, especially when it’s grounded in the cultural context, builds cultural understanding, a global outlook and respect for the shared human experience
– Our mission: To create global citizens through language and cultural experiences. In an increasingly globalised and interconnected world, the need for students to become culturally aware, bilingual global citizens is more important than ever
– Our vision: Our vision has evolved over time from getting people excited by Chinese language study to facilitating access to Chinese and Spanish language in schools and creating an engaging and exciting way to learn
What Makes Meg Languages Unique
In education circles there is a growing value placed on bilingual capability and being able to develop globally competent students that can compete in a globalised world. These educational aspirations are stymied by a huge shortage of language teachers. Our online offering is well positioned to flourish in these market conditions and in turn, improve upon the “traditional” language learning experience.
Meg Languages is at the forefront of innovative online learning. Through the use of technology, Meg Languages expands access to language study in schools while creating a more immersive, engaged and tangible learning experience through cutting-edge technology including VR and AR. This has application beyond just languages and across all disciplines.
Virtual learning completely disrupts how education is usually delivered, opening up opportunities for students which would have been impossible otherwise. One of the most rewarding aspects of what we do is being able to address inequity in education. We have had the chance to work with several disadvantaged schools, especially in the U.S, who have never had the chance to teach languages before. Our first U.S. school in the Bronx was a major win. It was important both strategically and emotionally – it marked an important new step which we were immensely proud of. We flew to New York to present to the school community and they welcomed us with open arms (literally!) It was such an exciting moment. We now work with 50 schools across New York.
In addition to standard lessons, Meg Languages has also broadened our offering to include immersion school camps and international tours for teachers and students, creating an end-to-end learning experience.
Meg Languages’ Achievements
For a company that is a decade old, we are striking new ground with some exciting prospects ahead of us. Our achievements include:
- 50,000 students taught each week
- 39% growth achieved in the last financial year
- Largest provider of online Chinese language programs, now also offering Spanish language programs
- At the forefront of innovative online learning
- Continued expansion into the U.S and UK, which are experiencing a similar teacher shortage challenge
- Continued expansion nationally across Australia
- Enthusiastic and highly skilled team of 90 based in Bogota, Colombia and Beijing, China dedicated to providing students with unique learning opportunities
- Partnering with school networks such as the Sydney catholic diocese (150 schools) to further build reach
- Strong and sustainable growth over a decade, with no outside investment
For more information about Meg Languages, visit meglanguages.com