Corporate social responsibility at IH London

With corporate social responsibility in the news, we asked Alex Hammond from ESL Language Travel which promotes sustainable development within the language education industry, to take a look at what we’re doing at IH London.

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The phrase ‘sustainable development’ probably brings to mind environmental issues. It’s hard to miss the huge debates going on internationally about combating global warming, reducing carbon emissions and energy extraction. But the ideas of sustainable development extend beyond the physical environment and ‘green’ issues. For businesses, sustainability is often divided under three headings: environmental, social and economic.

International House London takes the concepts of sustainable development seriously. They have a public benefits committee that promotes corporate social responsibility (CSR) and have taken various positive steps towards social sustainability.

For example, their cafeteria in an energy-efficient school building stocks Fairtrade products, so students and staff can enjoy a tasty cup of tea or coffee safe in the knowledge that the plantations on which the crops were grown do not exploit their workers, and that the prices paid are not exploitative.

IH London also actively support various charities. One of their projects involves teaching English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) at the homeless charity Crisis. Many of these students are economic and political refugees with few opportunities to learn English elsewhere.

The school also provide English language teachers to run lessons at the Hackney Migrant Centre in north east London and have recently begun working with Student Action for Refugees providing teacher training.

Giving back to the community is one part of social sustainability, thinking of the diverse needs of students is another. IH London welcomes thousands of students each year, some of whom have disabilities. Their school building at 16 Stukeley Street, which was completely renovated in 2007, was designed to allow excellent wheelchair access.

One of the most important elements of CSR is spreading awareness. The language teaching industry provides a natural fit with this and IH London is in a particularly strong position because of its teacher training programmes. Language schools naturally bring together people from all over the world and from many different backgrounds and IH London believes that many of the best ideas for charitable and environmental policies come from their students and staff.

As a major London language school, there are usually students from dozens of different countries studying with them at any one time. This encourages cultural understanding and discussion.

IH London encourages its students to think about the ideas of sustainability as part of the curriculum – they hope to encourage them to take positive action and share with their friends when they return home. Their teacher trainers also encourage classes to take CSR best practice with them to their schools around the world.

IH London says it is always looking to do more for their community and environment. If you have a suggestion for what they might do next, why not let them know.