Cirene Belecina
Head Coordinator
Our story
Teaching English in the UAE
since 2013
Speak started with one campus, four teachers, and a simple belief: small classes, qualified teachers, and genuine care produce better results than anything else. Thirteen years later, that belief is still the foundation of everything we do.
13
Years teaching in the UAE
80+
Nationalities taught
7β8
Average class size
2
UAE campuses
Our mission
Why we exist
Our mission is simple: to give every student (professional, student, or newcomer) the English skills they need to thrive in the UAE and beyond.
We believe English opens doors. A professional who can present confidently in English gets the promotion. A student who passes IELTS reaches their university dream. An international arrival who can communicate freely integrates and succeeds. We are here to make all of that happen.
- Small classes (maximum 15 students, average 7β8)
- Every teacher CELTA-qualified or higher
- Progress tracked and reported every month
- No student left behind; academic support included
Our vision
What we are building
We want to be the UAE's most trusted English language school. Not the biggest, not the cheapest, but the one where students know they will genuinely improve and be genuinely cared for.
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Results-focused
We measure ourselves by what our students achieve, not by how many we enrol.
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Genuinely personal
Your teacher knows your name, your level, and your goals from day one.
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Always improving
We invest in teacher CPD, updated materials, and new course types every year.
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Inclusive
Students from 80+ nationalities learn side by side in our classrooms every day.
Our journey
13 years of growth
From a single classroom in Dubai to a multi-campus school with students from over 80 nationalities.
2013
Speak opens its first campus in Dubai with a team of four CELTA-qualified teachers and a commitment to small classes and genuine results.
2015
Corporate training programme launches. Speak begins working with UAE-based companies to train professional teams in Business English.
2017
Second campus opens in Ras Al Khaimah, bringing Speak's approach to the Northern Emirates and doubling the number of students served.
2019
IELTS preparation becomes one of Speak's fastest-growing course types, with students typically gaining a full band from their assessed starting level.
2020
Online programme launches in response to global demand. Live, teacher-led classes via Microsoft Teams and Google Meet: same quality, zero commute.
2022
International student programme expands with dedicated visa support and agency partnerships across 40+ countries.
2024
The Dubai campus becomes an official IELTS test venue in partnership with IDP, so students can prepare and sit the exam in the same place.
2026
New website launches. Speak continues to grow its Dubai and RAK campuses, online programme, and international student community.
2013
Teaching since
80+
Nationalities represented
15
Maximum class size
100%
CELTA-qualified teachers
The people
Meet our team
Every teacher at Speak holds the Cambridge CELTA as a minimum qualification. Many hold Delta, MA, or specialist IELTS certifications.
Richie Lewis
Co-Founder
R
Razzel Bautista
Coordinator
Pauline Keith
RAK Branch Manager
Jake Borland
Co-Founder
Your journey
Featured learning paths
Not sure where to start? These curated learning paths guide you from your current level to your specific goal, based on the journeys our most successful students have taken.
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Career English Path
General English β Business English β Presentation Skills
3β6 months
Working professionals
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Academic & IELTS Path
General English β Intensive English β IELTS Preparation
2β4 months
University-bound students
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International Student Path
Placement Test β Intensive English β Conversational English
1β3 months
International arrivals
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Fast-Track Path
Private Intensive Classes β IELTS Preparation β Mock Test
4β8 weeks
Students with deadlines
What students say
Student reviews
βHi, I'm Aylin. I've been in teacher Andy's class for two months now. I've gained confidence in speaking English and I no longer feel shy when I talk. The lessons are enjoyable and continue without being tiring. I've made friends from many different countries, and we meet once a week to practice speaking together. I found the course by checking Google reviews, and it's also close to my home. Compared to many other courses, the price is more affordable. I'm very satisfied and I definitely recommend it.β
AK
Aylin K.
βI found this course for my brother, who started with almost no English, and the progress he made was incredible. Thanks to Teacher Andy and Teacher Yvonne's welcoming and encouraging approach, he learned very quickly and, after just a couple of months, completed the program with a really good level of English. The institute is professional, friendly, and genuinely cares about their students' growth. Highly recommended!β
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ayΕenur aka
βI enrolled in a short English course with Teacher LJ, and I'm so happy that he was my teacher. He is very smart, friendly, and easy to talk to. I really enjoyed my one on one classes with him. I learned a lot and improved my English skills during the course. Teacher LJ made every class fun and comfortable, which made learning English more enjoyable. I highly recommend Teacher LJ to anyone looking for a great English teacher. Thank you for the fun and wonderful experience, Teacher LJ! You're the best!β
JJ
Jireh Javier
Private One-to-One
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Interested in teaching with us?
We work with qualified English language teachers across Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and online. If you have relevant experience and qualifications, we'd love to hear from you.
Ready to join the Speak family?
Take a free placement test or speak to our team and we will find the right course and start date for you.