Job Discussion Forums

[Capergirl]

I've seen this mentioned from time to time on threads, so I thought I'd pose the question directly. How many of you foresee opening your own ESL school someday? If so, where will your school be located and will it be a school for adults, children, or both?

[lajzar]

I have this crazy idea to retire to Malta and open a school there, except it would be a combo language school / hotel / tour guide base. It will of course require more money than I expect to ever possess to set up, but isn't that the way with pipe dreams?

[dmb]

I voted 'no' Many years ago I thought that was where my future would go. Get enough money together then open a school. I have known a couple of people who have tried this(In Istanbul). One person unsuccessfully, despite employing the best qualified and highly experienced teachers. The other person's school is still going. However he had alot of money to play with. It took over two years to break even. Now it is still going but not exactly making a huge profit.

The start up costs are huge. Rent on a building, furniture, materials, advertising and marketing, salaries for staff with only a few students in the initial stages,etc.

Also from my own 6 years of experinence in management it isn't easy. It's bad enough dealing with DOS duties but also juggling time with going out to companies to give presentations to sell your school and dealing with the business side of things.

Not an easy job to do. I much prefer being in the classroom and dealing with the students education. This is demanding enough

[Wolf]

Hmm ... no "life ends in ignominious defeat" option.

If I thought I could handle it, if I thought I'd enjoy it, and I thought I could also afford it, I might give it a try.

Those are big "ifs" though.

[denise]

Nope. Business-y stuff has just never interested me.

d

[khmerhit]

The Puffin School of Backwater English, situated on beautiful Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Director of Studies: Ms C. Girl, M.A.

One free helmet for every enrollment.

[Capergirl]

Khmerhit, you smarmy little so-and-so...

Open an ESL school here? Feel your head, boy. If I do that, I might as well call it The Titanic.

[foster]

My friend has mentioned the idea of 2 of us opening one. I do not have a great business head. I would consider it if the opportunity, finances and location merited.

[Scott in HK]

I have increasingly concrete plans to open my own school. I took by masters course with the idea in mind and have steered by courses into areas that will help me create a relatively good school.

I plan on opening an immersion kindergarten in korea sometime in the near future. My wife and I will be returning to stay for about 9 years. As the curriculum comes together, my biggest hurdle remains..finances...I will need to find a Korean partner for that....

[guest of Japan]

I've given thought to opening a language school in Japan, but I probably will never do it. The reason is in Japan youth is an important draw. I'm still young so I could sell myself as the young western image, but as I get older I will be less effective in that manner. The way to combat this is to work really hard to build up the school quickly and then hire people. My problem with this is that I'd really hate to put so much effort into building something and then let it fall apart due to the potential incompetence of others.

I may change my mind. Working under the incompetence of others is no picnic either.

[khmerhit]

I once met a woman from Norther Ireland who was going to start her own school in bolivia--or was it peru. One of those two? Does she read Dave's boards? How is it working out?