An Educator building a language brand around real learners.
Iva Kadiu
Growing up in a coastal city in Albania, Iva was drawn to languages from an early age. She started learning English in school and was fascinated by how the same thought or feeling could be expressed in an entirely different way. Spanish and Italian soon became part of her everyday life through the films and television that filled her evenings. Before she imagined building a career around languages, they had already become a source of joy, curiosity, and connection.
After moving to Canada and making Toronto home, Iva chose to study French as a complete beginner. Learning a new language as an adult was both exciting and humbling. What began as an unfamiliar language eventually led her to earn an Honours Bachelor of Arts in French Studies from York University, as well as a Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Spanish. The uncertainty, persistence, and pride involved gave her a lasting understanding of the courage it takes to speak before you feel ready, make mistakes, and keep going until something unfamiliar begins to feel like your own.
Alongside her work in language education, Iva has built a bilingual career in Canada’s federal public service. Having built a life in a new country herself, she understands that language can shape confidence, opportunity, and belonging.
Those experiences shape the way she teaches: with structure, honesty, patience, and genuine respect for every learner’s journey. Through Lingo by Iva, she helps people build stronger French and the confidence to use it in the lives they are creating for themselves.
The Evolution of Lingo by Iva.
Built one learner at a time, Lingo by Iva has grown from personalised guidance into a broader vision for language education.
The Early Years — Where Her Teaching Journey Began
During university, Iva began volunteering as a French and English tutor. She later taught children through private lessons, daycares, and summer camps before expanding her work to university students, adults, and professionals.
These early experiences introduced her to learners at different stages, each with distinct goals, challenges, and ways of learning. They shaped her belief that meaningful progress begins with seeing the whole learner—their goals, challenges, motivations, and the life they are building through language.
A New Direction — LingoStars Tutoring
In 2020, Iva carried that learner-centred belief into LingoStars Tutoring, where she brought her teaching online to support learners more consistently as they worked toward their language goals.
Over time, her work became increasingly focused on adult French learners and TEF/TCF Canada preparation, allowing her to develop deeper expertise in the goals and challenges faced by immigration candidates. That growing specialization shaped her vision for a more structured and purposeful approach to language education.
The Evolution — Lingo by Iva
Lingo by Iva grew from the vision she developed through LingoStars Tutoring: a founder-led language academy shaped by more than a decade of experience in tutoring and teaching, continued learning, and a commitment to language education that is both rigorous and deeply human.
It brings together clear learning pathways, thoughtful resources, and the same high standards and care that have guided Iva’s work from the beginning—creating a learning experience that feels intentional, personal, and built to support lasting progress.
Structured progression, personalised feedback, and honest guidance.
Three principles shape every Lingo by Iva learning experience.
CLEAR PROGRESSION
A focused learning path that shows learners what to study, what comes next, and how each step moves them closer to their goal.
PERSONALISED FEEDBACK
Specific, actionable feedback that helps learners improve efficiently, strengthen weak areas, and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
HONEST GUIDANCE
Realistic guidance on current level, readiness, timelines, and the preparation required to reach the goal with confidence.
A broader vision for language education.
Clear, structured progress is at the heart of Lingo by Iva, with French programs and TEF/TCF Canada preparation leading the academy today. Over time, the academy may expand through new programs, educational resources, and additional languages—while preserving the personalised guidance, high standards, and purposeful learning experience at its core.
- Structured French learning pathways from beginner to advanced levels
- TEF/TCF Canada preparation
- Small cohorts, limited to five learners
- Limited private support for enrolled learners
Begin the conversation.
Start with a complimentary assessment and receive personalised guidance on the most appropriate pathway for your current level and goals.