Lingua Forme Announced as Sponsor of Adult Class Provider of the Year
With the finalists for The Class Business Awards 2026 now announced, the excitement is building as we move closer to Awards Day in October.
I’m delighted to welcome Lingua Forme, founded by Barbara Allen, as the official sponsor of the Adult Class Provider of the Year category.
This award celebrates businesses delivering outstanding adult classes across areas including fitness, yoga, wellbeing, life skills, creativity and languages. These are the providers helping people build confidence, improve their wellbeing, learn something new and find communities where they feel supported.
Why This Category Matters
Adult classes often become far more than a weekly activity.
They can offer routine, friendship, confidence and a sense of belonging. For some people, joining a class is the first step towards prioritising themselves. For others, it is a chance to reconnect with an old interest, discover a new skill or meet people outside their usual circle.
The Adult Class Provider of the Year category recognises businesses that combine excellent delivery with strong, sustainable business practices. Judges consider:
- Client transformation and meaningful outcomes
- Retention and customer loyalty
- Effective and authentic marketing
- Community building and connection
This year’s finalists show just how broad and exciting the adult class sector has become:
- Aerial Allsorts
- BodyBeats Fitness
- Guthrie & Ghani Studio
- Rhythm in Movement Dance Company
- SJ Languages
- The Memory Makers Cafe CIC
- Wild Isle Nature School Ltd
From movement and creativity to language learning, memory support and outdoor education, these businesses demonstrate the many ways adult classes can make a lasting difference.
Why Lingua Forme Is the Perfect Fit
Lingua Forme was founded by Barbara Allen more than 15 years ago after she recognised that adult language learners deserved classes that were practical, engaging and enjoyable.
Through conversation-focused French classes, Lingua Forme helps adults become more confident using the language in real situations. Barbara’s approach is designed to make learning feel accessible and relevant, while creating an environment where people feel comfortable participating, making mistakes and progressing at their own pace.
That focus on confidence and connection makes Lingua Forme a natural fit for this category.
Alongside its adult French classes, the business also supports independent language teachers through mentoring, training, licensing opportunities and practical resources. Its Grab & Go Resource Centre includes hundreds of ready-to-use teaching materials created by experienced language teachers.
This gives Barbara a valuable understanding of both sides of the adult class sector: creating excellent experiences for learners and helping teachers build strong, sustainable businesses.
Why The Class Business Awards Exist
The Class Business Awards were created to recognise the people and organisations shaping the UK’s class-based business sector.
These businesses are not simply filling timetable slots. They are supporting confidence, wellbeing, creativity, education and connection in communities across the country.
The Awards provide a year-long platform for visibility, storytelling and recognition, celebrating both the impact delivered in every session and the work happening behind the scenes.
Now that the finalists have been announced, the focus turns to sharing their stories and building towards an unforgettable Awards Day.
Lingua Forme is a brilliant fit for this category because Barbara’s work reflects everything great adult classes can offer: practical learning, personal growth, confidence and community.
To learn more about Lingua Forme, visit their website here.
You can also visit The Class Business Awards website to meet the 2026 finalists and book your ticket for Awards Day on Saturday 10 October 2026 at the National Conference Centre, Solihull.
