User:Learningconcept/Hong Kong Institute of Languages

Hong Kong Institute of Languages is a privately owned language school established in 1985 by a French couple, Dominique and Christian Chasset.

History
"Established in 1985, the Institute (www.hklanguages.com) has grown into quite a sizeable business..." . The institute originally started as a French language school in Hong Kong, specifically teaching French to small groups of executives. By the 1990s, the founders Dominique and Christian Chasset expanded their business by providing six other language offerings (including, English, Spanish, German, Cantonese, and Japanese), and as well as providing these language classes for children and very young children (from age 3 upwards).

Business Model
Hong Kong Institute of Languages' "business model was, and is, to teach small-group classess,...emphasis is on interaction and oral practice of the language in the class...The focus is on practical language that can be used right away..."

In the 1990s, HK KIDZ was establised as an extension of HKIL, specifically tailored for young children (age 2-12).

The HK KIDZ business model has the same foundation as HKIL. For teaching children however, it emphasizes more on "fun,...acquisition of the language being achieved through hands-on activities: games, songs, etc, in the same way that they acquried their mother language."

Additionally, one of the unique points in HKIL's business model is the use of "native speakers with real qualifications...holding a degree in teaching their language to foreigners, as opposed to just being a native speaker."

Summer Camps & Language Study Programmes
HKIL was one of "the first language school to organize overseas summer camps" in Hong Kong.

In 1992, HKIL organized its first overseas summer camp trip to Paris, France for children and teenagers. By 2009, HKIL extended its summer camp trips/language study programmes to countries including: England, China, Beijing, China, Qing Dao, China, Switzerland, Spain, Canada

Awards
One of the founders of HKIL, Christian Chasset was awarded the "Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Palmes Academiques" (Knight in the Order of the Academic Palms), the French Government's highest honour for academic achievement, for advancing the cause of French culture, education, and the fine arts" on May 28 2007.

The co-founder of HKIL, Dominique Chasset was awared the Ordre national du Mérite ("Knight of the Order of the National Merit").

Selection of Notable Students & Corproate Solution Students
Individuals
 * Alice Patten (Daughter of Chris Patten)
 * Allan Zeman (Entertainment guru)

Corproate Students
 * ABN AMRO
 * Argyle Street Management
 * AsiaWorld-Expo
 * Atlinks Hong Kong
 * Aviva Life Insurance
 * Calyon Crédit Agricole Indosuez
 * Cathay Pacific
 * Connex
 * Credit Suisse First Boston
 * Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
 * Diesel Distribution
 * EDAW Earthasia
 * Equity Trust Group
 * Fidelity Investments Management
 * Fond Light
 * French Chamber of Commerce
 * Gavin Anderson & Company
 * Hachette Filipacchi
 * Hang Seng Bank
 * ASTRI
 * HKGCC
 * Hong Kong Tourism Board
 * HSBC
 * Itau Asia
 * J.P. Morgan Securities
 * LVMH Watch & Jewelry
 * Monifit Group
 * Natexis Banques Populaires
 * P&G Prestige
 * Paragon Relocation Resources
 * Piaget
 * Redcats Asia
 * Richemont Asia Pacific
 * Ricoh Hong Kong
 * RMJM Hong Kong
 * Scental L’Oréal Hong Kong
 * Schindler Lifts
 * SEURECA
 * Sopexa Hong Kong
 * Standard Life Asia
 * Star TV
 * Sun Life Financial
 * Swarovski Hong Kong
 * Systra Asia Pacific
 * Thomas Miller
 * Thomson Hong Kong Holdings
 * Total Petrochemicals
 * Veolia Water Asia Pacific
 * Veolia Water Shenzhen
 * Wal-Mart Global Procurement