How to Open Your Own Language Academy? – Simple Business Plan
Language schools play a significant role in shaping up the structure of our society and bridging gaps. Language academy are indeed much sought after for kids who want to learn the intricacies of language and for adults who want to specialize in a particular language and pursue a career in translation or to work in embassies.
Few people want to learn different languages also because they are traveling to that country for work or pleasure. If you have the required qualification (minimum B.ed and a specialization in your preferred choice of language) and a passion for teaching and lots of perseverance, this path is highly rewarding. But beware that the intricacies of running a language school are far too many, as are the expenses.
1. Business Plan- The First Step
The first step is to make a business plan. This is the stage that will help you realize how feasible your dream of opening a language academy is. Factor in the expenses for at least two to three years; decide the source of revenue and a profit plan. See whether you have enough capital, if not, making a solid business plan helps in getting a loan. See whether your assumption of profits covers up your planned costs. Also, include your strategies to market your business through online ads and through your own website which has free tutorials for different age groups.
2. Define Your Target Audience
Decide whether you want to teach adults or kids. If you decide to teach children, be warned that they will need special cover in the form of health and security requirements. Additionally, you might want to consider whether you want to teach working adults or leisure learners, or both. This will help you decide your curriculum.
3. Curriculum
Research on similar courses in other institutes. Take help from the language experts to understand the structure of these programs. This will help you in designing a basic structure of the course.
Now, in order to give something different, you can research various folklores and oral stories prevalent in the geographical location of that particular language. Since language is a carrier of culture, knowing about these stories will only enrich your student’s understanding of the language.
4. Location
Once you have identified your target audience and a curriculum, deciding on a location is the next logical step. Scout for a location that has maximum visibility to the target audience. If you are targeting school children, then it is common sense that you find a place to rent around that area. Factor in the accessibility too. Make sure that your academy is accessible by public and private transport. Also, make sure your rented place has a facility for washrooms.
5. Setting Up Finally
The next step would be to buy teaching aids and supplies. Buy teaching supplies such as projector screens, whiteboards; make sure your academy has computers/laptops which will help in multimedia teaching and help students interact with each other more. This will also help them carry out their own classes in case of the unavailability of teachers.
Hire your staff carefully. You need teachers for teaching the language, a janitor and some maids/helps to clean the washrooms and general cleaning purposes. Keep the hiring process for teaching staff stringent, as you want your academy to flourish not flounder.
Last but not the least, get the required permits for running a language academy; get in touch with your regional authority and find out what the rules and regulations are. Register your business name and obtain copyrights. Take care of income tax and sales tax issues. Hire an accountant or take help from an accountant who has established his/her own firm.
Open your language academy!
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