From 100 Pupils to a Global Online Community: Sandra Kasparek’s 16-Year Language Business Journey
Some business owners are constantly searching for the next new idea.
Sandra Kasparek has spent 16 years proving the power of doing something you genuinely love, continually adapting it and building relationships that last.
Originally from Metz in Lorraine, Sandra has lived in Scotland for more than 30 years. Before teaching, she worked in customer service and account management, where much of her day revolved around resolving problems and dealing with quality issues.
She wanted a more joyful working life and the opportunity to work with children again.
When an existing La Jolie Ronde licence became available in Livingston, it was an opportunity she could not ignore.
Sandra took over a business with around 100 pupils and, within five years, had grown it to the point where she was teaching 300 children every week by herself.
“It’s just what I love to do the most. There’s no day when I’m thinking I’m working.”
Creating Classes Children Want to Stay In
Before the pandemic, Sandra taught French in nurseries, schools, breakfast clubs, lunchtime sessions and her own classroom.
When everything moved online, the original plan was simply to keep classes going until face-to-face teaching could return.
Instead, Sandra discovered a completely new way to grow.
She moved the business fully online and began reaching learners far beyond Livingston, including children in Ireland, Azerbaijan and other parts of the world.
However, she knew that online teaching needed more than a direct copy of an in-person lesson.
To keep children engaged, Sandra introduced:
- Online baking sessions in the children’s own kitchens
- A virtual French shop using euros collected during the term
- Regular competitions, prizes and challenges
- Videos and audio celebrating learner progress
The activities gave children reasons to speak, participate and keep returning, while also making the online experience feel lively and interactive.
“The result was so worth it.”
Visibility Became Essential
Before the move online, Sandra could promote classes through schools, letters in bags and conversations with local families.
Once those routes disappeared, online visibility became essential.
“If people didn’t see me online, then they couldn’t find me.”
Sandra began sharing more of the work happening inside her classes, including learner progress, videos and audio clips. Facebook helped her reach local families and promote holiday activities, while LinkedIn became especially valuable for the adult side of the business.
She now has around 2,000 LinkedIn connections and uses the platform to speak directly to professionals, people moving abroad and adults who want to learn French for family reasons.
The messaging may change depending on the audience, but the principle stays the same: show people what is happening, help them understand the value and begin a genuine conversation.
Building Two Connected Businesses
Alongside La Jolie Ronde Livingston, Sandra created French and Spanish for Fun for adult learners.
Her Spanish tutor, Raquel, had previously learned with Sandra and had also brought her daughter to nursery French classes. That relationship had developed over 16 years before becoming a working partnership.
Adult learners come for many different reasons. Some need French professionally, while others are moving to France or want to communicate more confidently while travelling.
One group particularly close to Sandra’s heart is grandparents whose children and grandchildren live in France.
Their grandchildren may speak more French than English, so learning the language becomes a way to protect those family relationships.
“It’s meaningful. It’s something that in the long term they’re going to be able to use with their grandchildren.”
The Impact of Long-Term Learning
Sandra’s impact is perhaps clearest in the length of time learners remain with her.
Some joined as toddlers and continued through primary school. Others began at six or seven and are now 19, preparing to move into her adult classes.
One former pupil went on to study French and Spanish at university before becoming a language teacher herself.
Sandra has also supported pupils through their Scottish qualifications, including six learners who all achieved an A in their Nat 5 French exams.
The results matter, but the deeper achievement is creating an experience that children and families choose to remain part of for years.
Finally Pausing to Recognise the Work
The Class Business Awards 2026 was the first external awards programme Sandra had applied for.
She had previously questioned whether she needed an award to tell her she was good at her work, and she knew that completing an application properly would take time.
The turning point came when she followed Krissy’s advice to write down everything she had achieved over the previous year.
For the first time, Sandra could see the full scale of running two businesses, supporting long-term learners, creating events and continually developing her teaching.
“There’s no time for us when we run the business to actually stop, pause and assess what we’re doing. We just do it.”
The exercise became emotional because it gave Sandra permission to feel proud of herself before the judges had even responded.
Relationships Create Retention
Sandra’s advice to other business owners is not about finding a clever shortcut.
It is about authenticity, trust and taking time to understand people.
“There is nothing which will bring some sales if you do not build relationships with people.”
Sandra uses discovery calls because she wants to know why somebody wants to learn, what they hope to achieve and how she can help them.
It may not create an immediate sale, but it creates stronger long-term relationships.
After 16 years, that approach has clearly stood the test of time.
Watch the Full Interview
Sandra Kasparek is a finalist in The Class Business Awards 2026, and her story shows what becomes possible when passion is matched with adaptability, visibility and genuine relationship-building.
From growing to 300 pupils a week, to moving fully online, to teaching learners from toddlerhood into adulthood. It’s all in this conversation.
👉 Watch Sandra’s full interview here.
And if you want to be in the room with finalists like Sandra, hearing these stories first-hand and connecting with the people shaping this sector right now…
Join us on Saturday 10 October 2026 at the National Conference Centre in Solihull for The Class Business Live, followed by The Class Business Awards & Afterparty.
Expect a full day of insight, energy and connection, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, with guest speakers, mastermind discussions and real conversations with people who get it. Then we come back together in the evening from 6:00pm to celebrate everything this community has built.
Book your place for the Class Business Awards here.
