About us
Nurturing Growth
Building Bridges Between Cultures & Bridging Gaps in Education
Two organisations. One shared mission.
MTLA
Education
United Kingdom · Canterbury
MTLA Education — Magpie Tutors Language Academy — was founded by a teacher with nearly a decade of experience, most of it spent in China, working directly with Chinese and international students.
Over the years, a clear gap became visible: students were either being taught by passionate individuals with no teacher training, or by qualified professionals without the cultural understanding to truly connect. Students weren't getting the high-quality, personalised education they deserved. MTLA was created to change that.
"We provide guaranteed, high-quality English teachers who are not only experienced and academically strong, but also trained in how to teach international students effectively. We believe every student deserves access to exceptional education — and our mission is to make that a reality across borders."
Deanna Walker
Founder & Director
At MTLA, we specialise in high-quality English language teaching, academic development, and cross-cultural learning — but our goal has never been results alone. We are in the business of building good human beings. Through inclusive, interactive lessons rooted in literature, writing, and real conversation, we develop fluency, confidence, and genuine cultural understanding. Mastering a language means more than passing an exam — it means learning to listen, to empathise, and to connect with people whose experiences are different from your own.
When two cultures sit in the same room and genuinely learn from each other, something shifts. MTLA exists to create those moments — bringing together UK graduates, teachers, and volunteers with Chinese students, host families, and institutions. Not just to exchange language skills, but to exchange perspectives. To build the kind of mutual respect that lasts long after the programme ends.
For UK graduates and early-career professionals, our programmes offer meaningful international experience and paid placements in China. For Chinese students and families, they provide direct access to qualified UK educators and a genuine window into British culture and academic life. From online courses and seasonal camps in Canterbury to structured immersion placements in Shanghai, every programme is designed to the same standard — and the same values.
No shortcuts. Just education done properly, on both sides, with the belief that when young people truly understand each other's cultures, the world gets a little better. The curriculum decisions and teaching quality belong to MTLA. Everything else — on the ground in China — belongs to WorldBridge.
WorldBridge
Consultancy
共桥教育科技 - Shanghai, China
WorldBridge Consultancy is MTLA's China-based partner — the team that makes everything work on the ground in Shanghai. Built by professionals with deep roots in Chinese education and international exchange, WorldBridge brings the local knowledge, relationships, and infrastructure that no UK organisation could replicate.
Where MTLA designs and delivers the academic experience, WorldBridge ensures every student is safe, supported, and genuinely looked after from the moment they land. That means host family placement through trusted local partners, visa coordination and registration, institutional relationships with Chinese schools and universities, and 24/7 welfare monitoring throughout every placement.
WorldBridge also leads all China-side outreach — across WeChat, Xiaohongshu, Douyin, QQ, and university portals — connecting MTLA's programmes with the students, families and organisations who need them most.
This is not a transactional partnership. MTLA and WorldBridge share the same belief: that inclusive education, done properly and across cultures, changes lives for the long term. That mission is what holds the programme together — on both sides of the world.
Our Multicultural Team
At MTLA we work together and strive together.
Rachel-Lucy Norris
Douglas Anderson
Francis Cortes
Head of Global Curriculum Standards
Director of Academic Vision & Innovation
Lead in Educational Media
& Curriculum Development
Educational leader with degrees in English and Law, experienced in teaching across Spain and the UK, driving MTLA’s innovative academic strategy.
International education specialist with dual Master’s in Public Policy and Administration, specialising in the UN SDGs, from leading Asian and European universities, ensuring MTLA’s programmes reflect world-class standards.
MA in Communications and expert in instructional design, leading the creation of MTLA’s high-quality learning resources and academic media.
Did you know?
Historically in England, leaving an apple on a teacher's desk is a symbol of appreciation, gratitude, and the importance of education.
KENT, ENGLAND
Welcome to Canterbury!
Nestled in the heart of Kent, England, Canterbury is a city steeped in rich history and vibrant culture. It's most renowned for the stunning Canterbury Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has attracted pilgrims for centuries and continues to awe visitors with its Gothic architecture.
The city's cobbled streets, medieval buildings, and charming gardens offer a glimpse into the past. Explore the tales of Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" come to life or enjoy modern theater and art. With a thriving local food scene and welcoming community, Canterbury is an enchanting blend of old-world charm and contemporary allure, beckoning travelers to uncover its treasures.
The seeds of success lie in your work ethic.
Magpie Tutors Language Academy
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A UK-registered education provider connecting young people with international learning, cultural immersion, and career-changing opportunities in China.
London, Wenlock Road info@mtlaeducation.com
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