ECHO Language School was founded in 1988 by Charles and Estrid Cope, who wanted to create a school with a difference. Their aim was to offer the friendly, personal feeling of a home-stay but with a strong emphasis on learning and genuine achievement.
In its early years, the business was run entirely by Charles and Estrid. Charles, a Cambridge Masters graduate and ex-school teacher, helped students achieve their maximum potential with his innovative, strict yet compassionate approach. Estrid meanwhile, a trained chef and a wonderful listener, made sure everyone was well looked after. Between them they created an environment in which students would be happy relaxing as well as studying. Both excellent hosts, Charles and Estrid worked towards the enjoyment and success of everyone who came through ECHO’s doors.
The school continued to expand throughout the 1990s. Estrid’s son Chris, also a Cambridge graduate, joined as Director of Studies in 1993, bringing his top academic skills and EFL Diploma experience. With a friendly, modern approach to teaching as well as business, his enthusiasm and enterprise were key to the school’s progress.
In 2007 Estrid decided to put ECHO’s 20 year experience with teenagers to good use and dedicated her time solely to their needs. Estrid’s other son Alex, a University of Cambridge oral examiner who has his own schools in Spain and has collaborated in the running of ECHO from the very beginning, took over as the new Director of Studies.
At the end of 2013, Estrid retired, leaving the school in the experienced hands of Alex and his wife Carmen. Thus, after 25 years of continued success and development under Estrid, 2014 marked another milestone under new leadership full of vision and energy, with eyes set on an exciting future dedicated to teaching, learning and the full immersion experience that ECHO affords its students.