The Administrative Team of our French Language School in Montpellier

Claudia Adenet

Co-founder and Director

“Originally from Martinique, a French Overseas Department, I went to Paris after my Bachelor to pursue my studies. After graduating from a business school IFG (French Institute of Management), I decided to improve my training with the learning of foreign languages in Europe. My path led me to work and take courses in several language schools in London and Hamburg. After these experiences, I returned to France after 5 years, and I moved to Montpellier which I literally fell in love with. Stefan Kaven, my associate, and I created ILA French language school in 1998 and are since consistently committed to a quality approach, and ensuring the quality of our customer service. I ensure the proper functioning and development of the school as well as the achievement of strategic objectives. Because of my personal experience of learning English and German, I know well the needs and expectations of learners in studying abroad and I put every effort in to make your stay a memorable experience at ILA …”

Stefan Kaven

Co-founder

Stefan was born and grew up in Hamburg, Germany. He studied Business Administration and held an MBA from Hamburg University. After obtaining his MBA, he spent one year in Wellington, New Zealand, and then London, studying English, before returning to Hamburg to start a career at Europe’s biggest publishing house. A couple of years later, he joined their London branch where he worked for another 3 years. Always having enjoyed languages and travel, and after having read the full collection of Peter Mayle books 🙂 , he decided in 1998 to settle down in the South of France and founded the Institut Linguistique Adenet, with his associate Claudia. Stefan set up an extensive network of educational agents and consultants making ILA’s name well known worldwide in the language industry up to august 2018. He was a wonderful collegue, boss and the ILA team is proud to keep his spirit alive !

Solenn

Internal Coordination Manager / Executive Assistant to Director
Person of contact for people with disabilities, and for Covid measures

“I was born in Montpellier, and grew up in a small village in the countryside where I still live today! Very quickly during my school years, I knew I wanted to work in direct contact with people. After my French Baccalauréat, I joined a tourism school in Montpellier. Once I obtained my diploma, off I was for my first job in the hotel industry in 2006, industry in which I stayed for 12 years. A need of change pushed me to open new doors, with still the same desire of direct contact with customers. I joined the ILA team in 2018 first as reception and internal coordination officer. I am now an Executive Assistant to the Director who I assist on various files. I will be here for you throughout your whole stay, with the ambition to make your stay the easiest and most pleasant it could be.”

Mélanie

Academic Manager

“With a Master’s degree in Education sciences and a Master in Consulting and Training, I went to Alliance Française in Arequipa, Peru, after my studies to teach. Back in France, I taught FLE in several schools in Montpellier and I had the opportunity to progress at ILA French language immersion school where I have been since 2004. Passionate before all about teaching, I am interested in the different approaches, and find myself at my best in active and fun methods that give life to the learning process. But my desire to teach is soon caught up by the will to train and advise in order to share experiences… Curious and creative … I take as much pleasure teaching in classrooms than in sharing ideas with other teachers as this allows new ideas to point the tip of their nose ! Educational consultant, I recruits and support educators, insuring they respect and follow our educational, and I am available to answer their questions. Pedagogical creations respond to my constant need to learn new things and developing programs that are organized and neat.”

Kathryn

Sales Team Leader

“Born and raised in New Zealand, I came to Montpellier at the age of 21 after having completed a foreign languages degree. I fell in love with this amazing city, which was so different to what I was used to. I am passionate about languages and over the years, I have worked as an English teacher, project coordinator, office manager, travel agent and ballet teacher. I feel very lucky to be working at ILA where I get to meet new and interesting students every week and help them to have an amazing time while here in Montpellier. I am now head of the sales team which I guide in compiling your registration files. I participate in the development of the school by going abroad several times a year to attend language industry workshops.”

Lucas

Senior Client Executive

“Originally from the North of France where I grew up until I was 16, I always wanted to explore new horizons. I had the chance to live in Laos between 16 and 17 years old, which was an unforgettable experience, then I returned to finish my schooling in Paris with a master’s degree in cultural development and heritage promotion. I then lived in Canada and Spain where I spent the last 13 years and from which I gained a taste for languages and human contact. Once attracted to teaching myself, I am particularly aware of the importance of having cultural immersion experiences abroad and receiving quality teaching. This is why I am very happy to have joined ILA to support our LATAM and European agencies in the success of their students’ linguistic and cultural stays in the south of France.”

Alvin

Bookings / Reception

“I was born in Martinique and lived there until I was 20. From 2018 to 2022, I studied at Montpellier Business School which allowed me to open up to the international scene through various enriching experiences (including a 1-year language exchange in Spain and internships in tourism). The practice of foreign languages and himan relations have always been at the heart of my career. Today, freshly graduated from a Master 2 Advanced Marketing and with a strong background in international exchange, I joined ILA in May 2022 with the aim of putting into practice all that I have learned previously. At ILA, I have a multi-tasking role. You can find me at the Reception Desk to answer all your questions but also at the Sales Department to prepare your trip in the best conditions! I will always welcome you with a smile! ILA is the best French school in the best sunny city!”

Céline

Bookings / Reception

“Of Venezuelan origin, born in Paris, I left the Paris region to join this magnificent city of Montpellier. Passionate about languages, travel and human contact, I have always wanted to work in contact with the international world. After studying international trade, I had the chance to cross paths with ILA in 2023. I quickly felt comfortable and welcomed by this family-like team. My role at ILA is to welcome you every day, to support you in your procedures and throughout your stay by answering your questions and requests. So don’t hesitate to come see me if you need!”

Alisson

Accommodation in Host Families

“After spending a year as a foster student in the United States, I had no doubt that my professional life would be international. I worked for more than 10 years in the air and maritime transport sector in the north of France and in Belgium before arriving in Montpellier and to join the team of ILA in 2016 to place our students in our Host families and to supervise that your stay runs smoothly. I will take care of finding the ideal family for you in which you will have an unforgettable stay.”

Olivier

Welfare Officer / Maintenance

“Born in Perpignan, in the Occitanie region, I have lived in Montpellier since the age of 12 and I never wanted to leave this city where life is good. After scientific and pedagogical studies, I finally decided to study tourism to get closer to my passion for travel, foreign languages and human contact. After various experiences within the Montpellier tourist office as well as in travel agencies, I joined the ILA team in 2023 and I was immediately surprised by the friendly and positive atmosphere within school! My role is to welcome you as best as possible throughout your stay, so don’t hesitate to come and meet me if you have any questions about your lessons, your accommodation or if you want to participate in extra-curricular activities that will make you discover our region, its cultural and culinary heritage! I am certain that you will love our school, but also Montpellier and our sunny region, the sea and the charming villages of its hinterland!”

Irina

Planning / Human Resources

“Originally from Russia, I was born and grew up in Tver (city near Moscow) where I started to learn French. After 3 years of university in Russia and 5 years learning the French language, I arrived in Montpellier as an exchange student, and never left. Of course for me, accustomed to cold weather and temperatures below zero, it was a big change! I got used to the culture, customs and of course the French language! (it seems that I even have a slight southern French accent)! 5 years later, I got my master’s degree in international business at the IAE of Montpellier and decided to turn towards the linguistic field that I had always been attracted to. I am a passionate about travelling, I like to discover the world and meet different cultures. Today, my role at ILA French language school is to place you in an appropriate level class in which you will progress quickly, and in a class where you feel good. For those who want to pass a DELF / DALF exam, I’ll be your contact for all administrative matters. I will be available for you, to advise you.“

Stéphane

IT Manager, Web Developer and Database

“I’m one of the few team members to be born in Montpellier, where I trained as a web developer and database engineer. After a few years of experience in a web development company, I was hired at ILA French immersion school in Montpellier in 2005 where I occupy the position of IT manager. My role includes managing IT assets, taking care of the maintenance on our intranet, our management tools that I designed, and managing the various websites of the company, and the computerized equipment at school.”

See the teaching staff