I really enjoyed reading Adrian’s posts too. It is great to see that someone has been in this business as a Smith’s owner for over 7 years and still really enjoys it and has helped his students to get great results on the EIKEN and TOEIC. Makes me still feel like an infant with only a year and a half under my belt. This holiday time gives us time to reflect on what we have achieved so far and to think about how to take it to the next level in the New Year. Adrian’s posts reminded me of the flexibility we have to expand our lessons to include what our students need. Unlike the corporate schools that lock their teachers into what is often a boring and dry curriculum for the students and teachers alike, we can augment the Smith’s curriculum where needed to give the students that special little extra attention they need. Recently I am getting more students as man-to-man and blocked lessons of two students. This allows me to give more specific attention to those students to strengthen their weak areas and includes some specific vocabulary in the area of their choice.
Also, from what I have heard about the successor school of the large corporate school that recently went bust and forced financial misery on the teachers and students alike, I am sure that we have a much better offering for those students than they can get at the successor school. Nine students in a class for 80 minute lessons and a year-long contract with monthly payments is far from meeting the needs of the students. Well, only time will tell! Good luck to the students. I hope they are not wasting their time and money again. We’ll be here if and when they decide to find a real monthly tuition school. Smith’s GESSHA SEI is REAL and is setting the standard!
Time to get some rest and prepare to get back out there and promote the school and help my students to reach their maximum potential. Good results speak volumes. Thanks Adrian! Keep up the good work. You are really an inspiration for us all. I hope that I can be such too.
Al Bartle (Smith’s School of English – Okamoto)
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