Linguarama Newsletter July 2026
In this month's newsletter, we get a brief report from Steve Lowe on the Marcus Evans Summit in Tokyo that took place in the first week of July. Then, as India, Europe and America have had sweltering Summer heat waves, discussions about how best to stay cool have been everywhere. In response, mindfulness coach and Linguarama trainer Lara Statham shares some practical mindfulness techniques with us on coping with the heat and stress. Finally, we reflect on artificial intelligence and its growing impact on the world of work, and consider what this means for us at Linguarama.
HR Summit, Tokyo Steve Lowe
Attending the HR Summit in Tokyo, organised by ME Summits, was a fantastic opportunity to represent Linguarama at one of our Group's flagship events. Bringing together around 150 senior HR professionals from organisations including Amazon Japan, Canon and Mitsui Sumito Insurance, the two-day summit combined thought-provoking discussions on leadership, talent development and the future of HR with high-quality networking in a uniquely Japanese setting. Experiencing Japan's renowned culture of respect, professionalism, precision and attention to detail first-hand was every bit as impressive as the event itself, where every interaction – from the exchange of business cards to the perfectly timed programme – reflected the country's distinctive approach to business.
For Linguarama, the summit provided an excellent platform to strengthen relationships, raise awareness of our language and intercultural training solutions, and explore new opportunities with HR leaders from across Japan. It was also a valuable chance to collaborate with colleagues from ME Summits, reinforcing the strength of our wider Group while showcasing how language, culture and international business are intrinsically linked. As we continue to grow our brand in the Land of the Rising Sun, events like these help build lasting partnerships both externally and across the ME family.
Staying Cool this Summer: A Mindfulness Approach Lara Statham
When temperatures rise, it's easy for the mind to heat up along with the weather. We get more irritable, impatient, or mentally fatigued without even noticing it. Mindfulness invites us to slow down and respond rather than react to our discomfort. Instead of fighting the heat and wishing things were different, we can take a moment to acknowledge it patiently and kindly to ourselves: "It's hot, and this is challenging right now." This simple act of acceptance can reduce that extra layer of stress that comes from wishing conditions were different. After acknowledging this, we can take small intentional pauses and notice our breath, for example while waiting for a hot drink to cool, sitting in a shady place or savouring a light lunch that can all help us reconnect with a sense of calm. Here are some other micro-practices we can incorporate into our working day too:
Pause for a cool-water moment. When drinking water, slow down and notice the temperature, taste, and sensation of hydration. Let it be a brief reset rather than something you do while multitasking.
Notice "micro-coolness." Take a minute to notice small sources of relief - a breeze from an open window, shade from a tree, a cool cloth on your wrists or forehead, or the feeling of air conditioning or the breeze from a fan. Give these sensations your full attention for a few breaths.
Slow your pace intentionally. Heat naturally asks more of the body. Rather than pushing through discomfort, walk, speak, move and do things a little more slowly. This can reduce stress and conserve energy.
AI and the Workplace Jessica Liebenberg
It has been two years since we created our AI Guidelines and they've stood the test of time. For trainers, we created the AI checklist:
Is there a valid reason that supports my teaching and learning for using AI here?
Am I asking AI to do something I have the expertise to do better?
Am I asking AI to do work my learners would benefit from doing?
In July we're starting professional development sessions on using AI for lesson materials, guided by these same principles. The sessions are open to all staff and freelancers interested in exploring how AI can be used thoughtfully to develop lesson content that is tailored to learners' needs and language levels.
Beyond our profession, the information available about AI and its potential impacts is chaotic and often contradictory. Some commentators see AI as a speculative bubble that will soon burst. Others compare AI's coming impact to transformative technologies such as electricity or the internet. Some argue that change is inevitable, while others insist that society has urgent but meaningful choices about how AI is developed and used.
Whatever the future holds, our current challenge is to continue developoping the knowledge and judgement needed to use these tools responsibly, critically and effectively.
Professional Development in July
Sign up via the Staff Portal to one of the following sessions, which are open to all trainers and staff:
First steps in using AI to create lesson material
The Linguarama Training Approach 2026
Using Learner Situations and Experience as the Resource
Come fare feedback e correggere degli errori online
Wie man Feedback und Fehlerkorrektur online durchführt