Adam Gordon Hopewell is chief executive of the Hyderabad-based The Language Company (TLC), registered as All Languages Company Pvt. Ltd (estb. March 2011). This new age company offers online and computer based solutions for learning English and eight other foreign languages (Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Arabic, Italian, Dutch and Japanese) using ‘Tell Me More, a revolutionary learning software, to schools, colleges as well as corporates countrywide.
Newspeg. In August, the Siva Sivani Institute of Management, Secund-erabad (Andhra Pradesh), signed a three-year agreement with TLC to develop an English language learning programme to enhance the soft skills of its business management students.
Direct speech. Hopewell believes the services offered by TLC are unique. Our software programme is primarily marketed to education institutions although our pricing of Rs.1,000-Rs.3,000 per year is calculated on a per capita basis. Intensive research has been invested in preparing 2,000 hours of learning content per language, and each programme covers four major areas of language learning — reading, writing, speaking and listening — all of which are taught through innovative techni-ques, including interactive modules based on patented speech recognition, pronunciation improvement and 40 multimedia activities. Moreover, we can customise the software to seamlessly integrate with the curriculums of customer institutions, says Hopewell, an English and drama graduate of Queen Mary University, London and management postgrad of Hult Inter-national Business School, London.
History. In an international career spanning 15 years, Hopewell served as country manager of EF Education, China (2003-06) and vice president of the Abu Dhabi University Knowledge Group (2008-09) before he was appointed chief executive of TLC, Hyderabad. During my interaction with professionals and educationists, I realised that English language fluency in India is restricted to a thin segment of the population, even in the larger metropolitan cities. But with English established as the global language of business, there is as well as for other foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish and Chinese in the rapidly globalising world. To cater to this market, I signed a partnership with one of Frances leading education companies Auralog Inc, which has developed the break-through Tell Me More language learning software and registered The Language Company with an initial investment of Rs.5 crore. Under the partnership agreement, TLC shares revenue with Auralog and distributes Tell Me More in India, customising it as per the needs of its clients, with English language learning being our focus, says Hopewell.
Future plans. Barely six months after it began operations, TLC has made a big impact through several intitiatives and workshops in Hyderabads schools and colleges. We have also begun our marketing operations in Mumbai and Bangalore. Currently, our focus is on expanding the market for Tell Me More by raising awareness through work-shops and promotional events. There is huge latent demand for English language learning in India. With our innovative, fast-track language learning programmes, we are confident of helping Indias youth develop fluency in English and other foreign languages which will open up a world of business opportunities for them, enthuses Hopewell.
Power to your elbow!
Swati Roy (Bangalore)