How to Market Your Language School: Basic Market Research – Check out the Competition

March 8, 2011

It is worthwhile to check out the web sites and marketing materials of other language programs. That way you can find out what it is about their sites that you like and why. Then, see how you can incorporate similar aspects or qualities into your own materials (without copying, of course!)

For example, if you find yourself spending more time on a particular web site because you find it easy to navigate, assess the organization of the site and incorporate elements of its organization into your own site.

If you like the photos in another school’s brochure or on their website, ask yourself what it is about them you like. Do they have more close-ups? Excellent gender balance? More group shots? Compare those photos with photos of your own program and see what improvements you can make.

Examining the marketing materials of other schools will also give you an idea how much they charge and what they offer. You will be able to see if your prices are in line with other programs that are similar to yours. This can help you price your program powerfully. (See Idea # 7 Price your program powerfully.)

Sometimes we think that just because we know that our competitors exist, we therefore know all about their prices and their marketing. Pricing and marketing tactics can change. Take the time to examine and assess your competitors’ marketing materials and price structure.  I recommend reviewing your competition’s marketing materials annually. Schools grow and change focus on a regular basis. If you are aware of what is going on around you, you will be better prepared to market your own program successfully.

___________________

This post is adapted from “Idea # 15: Check out the competition ” in 101 Ways to Market Your Language Program

________________

Share or Tweet this post: How to Market Your Language School: Basic Market Research – Check out the Competition http://wp.me/pNAh3-7n

Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on How to Market Your Language School: Basic Market Research – Check out the Competition | 101 Ways to Market Your Language Program, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

10 Ways to Excel as a 21st Century Language Teacher

March 3, 2011

This week I’m doing a session at the Greater Edmonton Teachers’ Convention (GETCA) on Global Trends in 21st Century Language Learning.

As a complement to that work, I put together this poster for the teachers at the conference. I’m sharing it here so you can enjoy it, too. It’s a free downloadable poster. Please feel free to share it with other teachers, student teachers an administrators.

10 Ways to Excel as a 21st Century Language Educator – downloadable .pdf poster.

View this document on Scribd

Why not download this poster and use it to spark conversation at your next staff meeting or professional learning day?
_____________________

Share this post: 10 Ways to Excel as a 21st Century Language Teacher (downloadable poster) http://wp.me/pNAh3-zk

Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on 10 Ways to Excel as a 21st Century Language Teacher | education, language program administration, languages, leadership, second languages, teaching, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Why Language Teachers Need Business Cards

February 28, 2011

Often, I have heard that schools or programs consider it too expensive to give out business cards to staff or faculty. How ridiculous!

Your staff and your faculty are ambassadors for your program. They talk to people all the time about what they do, where they work or what they teach… in business meetings, at family gatherings, at social events. Consider these two scenarios:

One of your teachers meets a foreign man at a social event. He wants to send his son abroad to study languages. He begins to talk to your teacher about the program and is impressed with what he hears. He asks for your teacher’s card so he can contact him for more details.

Scenario #1: Your teacher says, “Oh sorry… I don’t have a card… Let me write down the e-mail for you on a napkin… Ummm… Do you have a pen, by any chance?”

Or

Scenario #2: Your teacher says, “Of course! Here you go. All the contact information is right there. If you e-mail us at that address, we can get an information package out to you right away. We’d be delighted to have your son study with us!”

Information that can be included on a business card includes:

  • Individual’s name
  • Organization name
  • Organization street or mailing address
  • Organization phone number (with the area code, and if you are doing business internationally, your country code, too)
  • E-mail
  • Website
  • Facebook page
  • Twitter username
  • Skype username

There are many companies who offer templates for business cards. Big box office stores are a good place to start, but also check out online printing businesses. If you can’t afford a graphic designer, use a template to keep the design clean and professional.

In the big picture, business cards are not expensive when you consider the incredible marketing force your staff and faculty can be for you. By providing them with business cards, you are treating them as the professionals they are.

Not only will this help to build their loyalty to the program, it also demonstrates to others  that you respect and honour your staff enough to provide them with the tools necessary to endorse your school.

Order business cards for each and every member of your team today.

This post is adapted from “Idea #20: Give your staff their own business cards ” in 101 Ways to Market Your Language Program

________________

Share or Tweet this post: Why Language Teachers Need Business Cards http://wp.me/pNAh3-wK

Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on Why Language Teachers Need Business Cards | 101 Ways to Market Your Language Program, language program administration, marketing, Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

Kids and Gaming: Let’s Talk About It

February 25, 2011

Technology and gaming can cause tension in families. Some parents become exasperated at what they believe to be their children’s over-use of technology. Gamers enjoy the sense of achievement, exhilaration and “flow” they experience.

The notion of “flow” has been documented by scholars such as Mihály Csíkszentmihályi and others. It is difficult to explain, but when you experience it, you know.

Objectives

  • To watch an educational video focused on technology as a family.
  • To discuss the pros and cons of gaming for individuals, families and communities.
  • To explore the notion of responsible gaming and how to use technology skills for the benefit of others.
  • To offer perspectives on what activities offer a sense of achievement, exhilaration and “flow” to both children and parents.

Activity

Watch Jane McGonigal’s 2010 TED talk “Gaming Can Make a Better World” (20:02) together as a family.

Conversation questions

  • What do you think of McGonigal’s idea that gaming can make a better world? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
  • How are you using technology now in your daily life? Do you over-use technology? Under-use technology? What do these terms mean, anyway?
  • How can you use technology to help others? (This can include things like helping family members improve their technology literacy, using technology skills in volunteer and community work, etc.)
  • What other activities in your life give you a sense of achievement and exhilaration?

Further reading for parents

Csíkszentmihályi, Mihály (1996), Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention, New York: Harper Perennial.
Csíkszentmihályi, Mihály (1996), Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement With Everyday Life, Basic Books.
Csíkszentmihályi, Mihály (2003), Good Business: Leadership, Flow, and the Making of Meaning, New York: Penguin Books.

Download a 1-page copy of this activity from Scribd:

View this document on Scribd

_________________
Share this: Kids and Gaming: Let’s Talk About It http://wp.me/pNAh3-yR

Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

Comments Off on Kids and Gaming: Let’s Talk About It | technology, TED, Uncategorized, youth | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

How to Use Google Forms – Free Training Manual and Webinar Recording

February 22, 2011

Google forms are one of my favorite tools to use. You need a Google account (also known as a Gmail account) to use the forms. Once you have that, you can build any type of form you like. They are free and easy to design.

The primary ways I use them in webinars are:

  • Evaluations
  • Registration forms
  • Volunteer sign-up forms
  • Testimonial collection

Free manual

Get your free How-To Manual here: Exceptional Webinars – Using Google Forms

Webinar recording

I recently did a live demo via webinar on how to build, design and use Google forms. Thanks to the friendly folks at Elluminate for sponsoring the session by providing the technology to run the session.

Check out the 60-minute step-by-step webinar recording. (Note: You’ll need to grant permission for Java to launch in order to view the recording.)

Participant testimonials:

“I learned so much in an hour. I very much appreciate the Elluminate technology and the quality of the presenter.  Thanks!” – Susan Sanders, UMKC, Kansas City, USA

“This webinar is well-paced and gives an good grounding in the use of Google Forms. Sarah knows her subject and handles questions with grace and confidence.” Sue Goodrich, University of Southern Maine, East Boothay, Maine, USA

“Sarah possesses an invaluable combination of skills—a great mastery of content, the ability to make that knowledge understandable and useful to others, and an engaging, interactive and well-paced delivery.” – Barbara Lindsey, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, USA

_________________

Share this post: How to Use Google Forms http://wp.me/pNAh3-yA

Update – January 2018 – This blog has had over 1.8 million views thanks to readers like you. If you enjoyed this post, please “like” it or share it on social media. Thanks!

Sarah Elaine Eaton is a faculty member in the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Canada.

2 Comments | education, technology, Uncategorized, webinar | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Elaine Eaton, Ph.D.

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »