Meet Our Team | Sydney Australia | La LinguaLanguage School

Meet the team behind La Lingua Language School.

Our staff come from all kinds of cultural and professional backgrounds, and together we've built a warm, welcoming environment for students from all over the world.

We're always happy to help in English and, wherever possible, in your own language too.

Whether you need advice about your studies, tips on settling into life in Sydney, or just someone to point you in the right direction, our team is here for you. We want your time at La Lingua to be enjoyable, rewarding, and successful.

From your very first enquiry to the day you graduate, we'll be with you every step of the way.

Tomoko Sakaida

Japanese
English

Tomoko joined La Lingua in 2008 after coming to Australia on a Working Holiday visa to study English. Having been an international student herself, she understands the challenges and excitement of studying abroad.

With over 18 years of experience in international education, she now leads the Japanese market, marketing, and partnerships while supporting students throughout their journey. She is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and making their study experience in Australia both rewarding and memorable.

Diego G. Torres

English
Spanish

As Director of Studies at La Lingua, Diego brings over a decade of experience in English language education to his role, with a particular focus on academic leadership, teacher development, and the thoughtful integration of technology in the classroom. Since 2014, he has worked across diverse teaching and learning environments in Colombia and Australia, both in-person and online, building a deep understanding of what effective language education looks like in practice.

Diego is passionate about empowering academic teams to grow and refine their craft, fostering an environment where innovation, resilience, and continuous improvement are part of the everyday culture. His approach combines strong pedagogical foundations with a genuine commitment to helping both teachers and students thrive.

Carolyn Shi

Chinese
English

Carolyn has been part of La Lingua Language School since 2010. Her career in language education began in 1989, when she started as a high school Chinese teacher in China, later serving as an associate lecturer at Jishou University (China) before immigrating to New Zealand in 1996. Over the past 30 years, Carolyn has built an extensive career in international education across both New Zealand and Australia, giving her deep, practical expertise on policy and strategy within the ELICOS sector. As a mother of two, Carolyn brings a natural warmth and insight to her work with students. She excels at understanding each learner's individual needs and is especially skilled at supporting younger students through both academic challenges and personal development.

Minji Sim

Korean
English

Minji manages La Lingua's Korea, EU, LATAM, and Brazil markets, having originally joined the team in 2014 and returning in 2019. Her rich background includes corporate experience in Korea alongside work with a Sydney-based VET college and an education agency, giving her unique insight into the international student journey. Holding degrees in Education and Marketing, Minji provides expert, transparent guidance designed to help students turn their educational dreams into reality.