Soulivanh Phommachanh
Founder & Academic Director
Cambridge-certified teacher trainer with 20+ years of experience across Laos, Thailand, and the UK.
About GM English Hub
A new nonprofit, rooted in rural Laos.
We bring real English, cultural exchange and outdoor learning into Lao village classrooms — taught alongside local teachers, with volunteers from around the world.
Our story
Why we built GM English Hub
A nonprofit for Lao village children
For many children in rural Lao villages, the chance to learn English rarely makes it past the city limits — yet English can open doors to education, work and the wider world. GM English Hub exists to bring real English instruction, mentorship and adventure to the villages around Luang Prabang.
Our home base is Naon Village in Luang Prabang Province. We partner with primary and secondary schools nearby, co-teach alongside Lao educators, and welcome volunteers from around the world to live, teach, farm and ride with us.
- Founded in rural Luang Prabang
- Built with Lao & Hmong educators
- Welcoming volunteers worldwide
- Child Protection Policy
“Teach a child. Explore a country. Change a life.”
Our Vision
A generation of confident, multilingual youth from Laos's villages — equipped to pursue education, careers and cross-cultural opportunity, without losing their roots.
Our Mission
To expand opportunity for children in rural Laos by building real English skills and confidence, while connecting Lao communities to a wider world of learning, friendship and possibility.
What we stand for
Four commitments that shape every class.
Children First, Always
Every decision starts with what is safe, kind, and meaningful for the children we serve.
Local Roots, Global Reach
We honor Lao and Hmong language and culture while opening doors to the wider world.
Real Immersion, Real Impact
Volunteers live, teach, farm, and ride alongside the communities they serve.
Safety Without Shortcuts
Background checks, training, and child-protection policies are non-negotiable.
Certifications & Achievements
Recognized at home and abroad
Cambridge Preparation Centre
Authorized 2017
CELTA-certified teachers
100% of full-time staff
Volunteers from 30+ countries
Background-checked annually
UNICEF-aligned safeguarding
Independent annual audit
Meet the team
The people behind GM English Hub
A small founding team of Lao and international educators co-teaching alongside village schools.
James O'Connor
Head of English (CELTA, MA TESOL)
Designs LPEC's curriculum and leads teacher development workshops.
Khamla Sisombath
Young Learners Coordinator
Specialist in play-based phonics and early literacy for ages 5–11.
Mei Lin Tan
Exam Prep Lead (IELTS/TOEFL)
Former IELTS examiner with a 95% band-7+ success rate.
Our roadmap
Where we're headed — our founding three years
Year 1
Launch in our first 3 partner villages around Luang Prabang and welcome our founding cohort of international volunteers.
Year 2
Grow to 6 villages and 250+ students reached, with a year-round volunteer rotation and a stronger Lao & Hmong teacher network.
Year 3
10+ partner villages, 500+ students reached and 150+ global volunteers welcomed — our founding directional targets.
Where we are
Naon Village — a community in Luang Prabang
GM English Hub's home base sits inside Naon Village in Luang Prabang Province. Every corner is rich with culture and tradition: villagers proudly display handmade bags, wallets, earrings, traditional clothing and accessories, with ancient tools arranged inside open, welcoming homes.
The village has its own small primary school, and other small villages nearby run their own schools too — together educating children across this beautiful region. Many tourists pass through Naon Village every day by van, car or motorbike, and often stop on foot to explore. That steady flow of visitors makes it an ideal home for community-driven projects like ours.
Luang Prabang — a prime destination in northern Laos
- UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and lush natural landscapes draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year.
- Strategic gateway to northern Laos. Positioned along major overland and river routes — villages along these roads see daily passage of travellers, ideal for language and volunteer centres.
- Untapped potential for social enterprise. English centres, vocational training and community-based tourism meet both visitor needs and local development goals.
- Growing infrastructure. Improving roads, a regional airport, and expanding digital connectivity make Luang Prabang increasingly accessible.
- Eco-tourism & cultural appeal. Sustainability, local crafts, organic products and cultural preservation thrive here — aligned with visitor values and government priorities.