Business journalist, Al Gibson, sat down with Dr Giedrė Balčytytė at David Game College at David Game College to discuss her passion for education, leadership and innovative teaching methods. Dr Balcytyte, who has a background in language, music and research is Academic Manager at Academic Summer and Course Director for our David Game programme. Not only does she bring a unique perspective to international education, to help students excel academically she also helps them develop critical thinking and leadership skills.
Raised in an academic family in Lithuania, her parents are both professors, Giedre combined her love of music and language to develop groundbreaking research on how they can enhance language learning. She has published scholarly works, presented at international conferences and now uses her expertise to shape the Be a Leader Programme and other academic initiatives at Academic Summer.
Dr Balcytyte first joined us as a teacher, but over the years has taken on leadership roles, progressing from Director of Studies to Course Director. She has first-hand experience of our programmes, not only as an educator but also as a parent – her own daughter has attended our camps as a student.
Giedre’s passion for innovative education aligns perfectly with Academic Summer’s commitment to Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), providing students with a stress-free, interactive, and enriching learning experience. In this interview, you’ll discover how her journey from music and linguistics to educational leadership is inspiring the next generation of global students.
AG: It’s great to meet you, Dr Balcytyte. Could you start by telling us about your background?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: Of course! I am an educationalist and researcher and I’ve always been passionate about exploring different approaches to teaching and learning English. My interest lies in integrating emotional, creative and linguistic dimensions into education.
One of my key areas of focus is the relationship between language and music. I strongly believe that music and language share deep emotional and structural roots. When we analyse language, we see how rhythm, intonation, tone etc all play a role in how we express ourselves and communicate effectively.
I submitted my PhD in 2009 and at the time, I was the youngest doctoral graduate in Lithuania. My dissertation focused on how music can be used as a method to teach English.
AG: That’s fascinating! Did you always intend to pursue a career in education?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: Not at all! I come from a highly musical family. My father was a renowned professor of music and his musical teaching system has been used in Lithuania for over 30 years. My mother is a professor of mathematics, so education was a huge part of my upbringing.
Originally, I was meant to study at the Music Academy, like my sister. But when I graduated from school, we had visitors from the UK and they asked me to translate for them. At that time, not many people in Lithuania spoke English fluently, but I had a musical ear, which helped me pick up the language easily.
I realised that I had a natural talent for English, so I told my parents, “I’m not going to study music – I’m going to study English instead.” That’s how I ended up studying English Philology for my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
AG: But you found a way to combine both your passions – music and language?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: Yes! After completing my Master’s degree, I felt I’d lost my connection to music, and I wanted to bring it back into my work. That’s why, for my PhD research, I decided to investigate the relationship between music and language.
Both music and language have structure, rhythm, and meaning. In fact, humans were musical before they were linguistic – our ancestors communicated through melodies long before structured speech existed.
Through my research, I developed a method for using music to teach English at a professional level. It goes beyond using songs for fun – it’s about using rhythm, background music and structured exercises to improve language acquisition.
AG: That’s incredible! What instruments do you play?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: I can play the piano and a few wind and string folk instruments. I participated in a few folk ensembles, sang professionally in a choir and competed competed in solo singing competitions as a child. At university, I incorporate music into my English phonetics and phonology classes. I teach students how the rhythm of English is different from other languages and how music can improve pronunciation.
AG: you’ve written on this subject as well?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: Yes! My first serious publication was on teaching English through music, which was published in Lithuanian. I have also written publications in English, focusing on phonetics and phonology, including: A Course in English Phonetics for EFL University Students
AG: Let’s talk about Academic Summer. How did you first get involved?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: When my daughter was 13-years-old, she wanted to attend a summer camp abroad. At the time, international summer camps were not common in Lithuania, but I came up with a solution. I applied to Academic Summer to be a teacher at one of their summer camps.
I flew to London for the job interview, and was so nervous! But I was offered the position as an English and Music teacher and was given the opportunity to do a two week trial. However the best news of all was that my daughter could attend the camp as well.
The following year, Helen Lami (CEO) and Ellie Jones (Head of HR at Academic Summer) invited me to stay for the full eight-week session, which I gladly accepted. Later, I was promoted to Director of Studies, then to Course Director and now I work as an Academic Manager throughout the year.
AG: What makes Academic Summer different from other summer schools?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: There are three key factors that make us stand out:
- A stress-free learning environment – We don’t focus on grades or academic pressure. Instead, we measure progress, motivation and confidence.
- International exposure – Last year, we had students from 59 different nationalities. Learning in such a diverse environment helps students develop global perspectives.
- Engaging, hands-on lessons – We use CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) to teach English through exciting subjects like psychology, robotics and business.
AG: Tell me about the ‘Be a Leader’ programme.
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: The Be a Leader programme is one of our most valuable offerings. Every morning, students attend leadership sessions, covering topics like communication, vision, adaptability and teamwork.
We also invite guest speakers – CEOs, industry leaders and professionals– to share their experiences with students. For example Helen identified three influential leaders who have inspired her during a talk at David Game College. See: Be a leader: insights from Helen Lami’s talk to future leaders at Summer Camp, 2024 in London
At the end of the programme, students receive a CPD-accredited certificate, which is an excellent addition to university applications.
AG: How do you help students feel comfortable at the camp, especially if they are introverts?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: We never push students out of their comfort zone. Some students are naturally more reserved due to their cultural background or personality. Instead of forcing participation, we create a safe and inclusive environment.
For example, if a student is quiet in class, I might have a one-on-one chat with them during a trip or at dinner. Building trust and comfort is key to boosting confidence naturally.
AG: What would you say to parents considering Academic Summer for their child?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: Give your child the opportunity to think wider! Many parents worry about language barriers or academic challenges, but they shouldn’t be afraid. Students leave our programme more motivated, confident and excited about learning. We don’t just teach subjects – we help students develop life skills that will benefit them in the future.
AG: And what’s your opinion of the team at Academic Summer?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: The team is incredible! Helen Lami has built an international team with diverse perspectives. We all bring different strengths and, together, we create a dynamic learning environment.
AG: Finally, where does Academic Summer stand among other summer schools?
Dr Giedre Balcytyte: Many summer camps focus only on teaching English. We go beyond that. Our focus is on academic preparation, critical thinking and leadership skills. That’s what makes Academic Summer truly special.
Al Gibson is a business journalist based in Exeter. He started Countdown Creative in 2020 offering copywriting services to local companies, charities and organisations.
