The other day one of my students at Smith’s 英会話 枚方 told me that another 英会話 (English conversation school) had gone bankrupt. That marks the second large chain in two years. Some of my students asked me how I felt, after all, it was my competition. I must say that I’m rather saddened by the news. With its closure it means less jobs for foreign teachers in Japan. It means more people heading home which translates into less opportunities for Japanese people to be able to learn English. Ever since I came to Japan 16 years ago I knew I wanted to help Japanese people learn English and all its benefits. Travel anywhere in the world today and it is easy to see the influence English has on both business and communication.
I consider myself lucky to be able to share my ideas and knowledge with my students and am proud that we are still going strong. Despite the economic situation that is gripping the world, Smith’s 英会話 is growing nicely and has a fabulous group of teachers devoted to helping students.
What lesson should we take from the closing of this school? That real 月謝制 (monthly tuition) schools are the way to go as they limit the risk for students. Smith’s system works because it’s simple. Students like it, teachers like it. What’s not to like?
Adrian
Yes Adrian it is a sad day for those teachers and administration staff who have lost their jobs and for the students who are asked to switch to another school and/or location.
It was obvious in January that GEOS would collapse, it was simply a matter of time.
True Geshya Sei(英会話月謝制 pay by the month, is the only safe way for students to go and it’s even safer if it’s with a Smiths School who have offered Geshya Sei ( 英会話月謝制) since 1996
Ken
Smith’s School of English – Koenji