A language teacher who taught in schools for more than a decade before opening her own is 'thrilled' to have been recognised with a top award.
Sam Doodson, from Delph, founded Saddleworth Language School in June 2023 after working as a language teacher in secondary schools for 14 years.
The teacher of languages, who has a degree in German and specialises in teaching French and Spanish, said she "loved" her job but found it difficult to inspire a love of a second language among teenagers.
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She explained: "It became clear that by the time children reach secondary school their attitude towards languages was already made up – from their previous language learning experience, family opinions, opportunities or lack thereof to travel, and it was a real challenge to motivate and inspire those who had never built a love for culture and language."
When she would teach in primary schools, she said she found "how open-minded younger children are and how easily and enthusiastically they pick up a language".
Sam continued: "They lack the self-consciousness teenagers seem to develop and throw everything into speaking, singing, reading, playing in the target language.
"It was so refreshing and made me think very seriously about how I could harness this to create a really special business that makes language learning from the youngest age a possibility.
"The national curriculum only requires children to learn a foreign language from Year 3 onwards, but I strongly believe that by introducing languages earlier we can have more of a positive impact."
Sam started her vision by setting up classes for youngsters from zero to four at The Nook in Delph, "and it just grew and grew", she added.
She said ideas for language learning opportunities "kept coming" and she now runs a Sports and Languages School Holiday Club at Delph Primary School.
Sam's husband, who is also a director of the company, works as a PE teacher which Sam said creates the "winning combination when it comes to getting children into learning languages".
Their two-year-old daughter, Tilly, also helps teach in classes which Sam said is "testament to my classes actually working as attending with me weekly, her Spanish is brilliant".
Now, the new business has been commended in this year's Oldham Business Awards and has been crowned Oldham's 'Start-up of the Year'.
The ceremony was hosted by OBA stalwart, Caroline Whitmore of ITV Granada Reports, and featured a hilarious stand-up set from comedian, actor, director and writer Johnny Vegas.
Reacting to the award, Sam said: "I was utterly shocked when I found out I had won.
"I had no idea I would win, especially being up against two brilliant competitors.
"I was so taken aback I couldn’t even speak to Caroline Whitmore on stage.
"I am thrilled to have won.
"It is recognition of the very hard work I dedicated to setting up the business and realising my dream and it gives me a platform to build the business on and the drive and motivation to continue to achieve bigger and better things in the world of language learning."
Saddleworth Language School holds classes at Delph Primary School for four to 11-year-olds during the school holidays, called Lingostars.
For the 'bambinos and niños' (babies and toddlers), classes are held at The Nook in Delph on Thursdays at 10am and at The Cake Kitchen, Uppermill on Fridays at 10am.
Before and after school clubs are also available for children at Freizland Primary, Delph Primary, St Anne’s Lydgate, St Chad’s and Greenfield Primary School on various days of the week.
As for adults, as many as seven classes are held on Monday mornings at Boarshurst Business Park and on Wednesday evenings at Delph Primary School, covering French and Spanish from beginner level to intermediate.
As for the future, Sam said her language school may explore offering formal accreditations and has recently put in an application to become Ofsted registered, which would allow parents access to holiday clubs at a discount.
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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