Meet David De’ Ath, co-founder, editor, and writer at Wonderful World English. With his extensive background as an English teacher, David provides valuable insights and practical tips on ESL for students and teachers alike.
Starting an ESL (English as a Second Language) program can be an incredible option for anyone who wants to embed themselves within this booming industry.
Not only is it a rewarding endeavor, but it also enhances the lives and ambitions of learners from all around the world.
There are many programs available on the market that each cater to a specific demographic within the world of ESL.
From young learners in foreign countries to immigrants wanting to learn the local language, the demand for good quality English language courses continues to grow.
To start an ESL program, it is first crucial to determine your target audience. Once established, you can begin setting goals and building a curriculum. The next step is to prepare the classroom and gather materials before recruiting teachers (if necessary), and students. Provide continuous support and always strive to improve.
I am an experienced ESL teacher who has prepared and created programs for students in China.
This venture can be rewarding for both students and teachers and today, I will impart information to help anyone wanting to start an ESL program of their own.
We will cover key aspects, from understanding the importance of a good ESL program to how to ensure the best quality service.
Without further adieu, let’s jump in!
How to Start an ESL Program
Before we delve into the steps on how to start an ESL program, it’s important to understand precisely what an ESL program is.
These programs are designed to help non-native English speakers develop and enhance their language skills.
ESL programs don’t just improve language skills, they improve the prospects for further education, employment, and business for the learners!
An ESL program focuses on all the main facets of English language learning, such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and comprehension building.
By offering support and resources to overcome language learning barriers, ESL programs play a crucial role in the development of a non-native’s English acquisition.
Now we know what ESL programs are and why they’re so important, let’s explore the steps necessary to start an ESL program from scratch:
1. Know your Audience
First and foremost, it is imperative to know exactly who will be learning from the ESL program.
You must determine whether the curriculum will cater to young learners, teenagers, adults, or more specific groups such as immigrants etc.
It is essential to know the target audience so you can then understand their specific needs and goals to tailor the program accordingly.
If you haven’t yet decided on your target audience, consider who you can bring the most value to, depending on your experience and skill set.
If you have a background teaching young learners, these would suit you more than teaching adults.
For adult learners, a business-English course may be the best option.
Check out the guide below for some great tips on how to teach business English to adults online!
Related Article: How to Teach Business English Online – Teacher’s Guide
2. Set Achievable Goals
Once you have determined the needs and requirements of your audience, it’s time to establish clear objectives for the ESL program.
If the goal of your course is to improve spoken English, then this should be the main focal point of the program, and goals should be set in accordance with this.
General language proficiency is a primary goal of many learners, but some may want more specific goals, such as helping them culturally integrate or study abroad.
Setting measurable goals that you can monitor and provide feedback for, will help you keep track of your student’s progress, strengths, and weaknesses.
A roadmap for success is key for your students to achieve their language learning goals.
3. Plan and Create the Curriculum
The next step in building an ESL program is to plan and establish a curriculum.
This will be based on your learners and their goals.
A good curriculum will cover essential English language skills such as grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, comprehension, and speaking.
Break the curriculum into individual levels, starting with the basics and becoming progressively more detailed.
Some great resources are available to help teachers design curriculums, such as the National Geographic Learning series.
Make sure to use online resources to help you create your curriculum, and I find working from a book such as the National Geographic series can be a great start because they are full of helpful information and visually stimulating.
You can also check out platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, where you can find and hire educational professionals who can help you design and build a curriculum if you so desire.
Once a curriculum has been built, build a series of PowerPoint presentations that can be used online and offline.
This, again, can be made by you or outsourced to someone else if you wish to save time.
Also, make sure to establish effective assessment methods.
These are necessary to measure your student’s progress and will allow you to identify areas for improvement.
You can include assessments such as tests, quizzes, presentations, and projects that will help you evaluate your student’s English proficiency and development.
For some great tips on effectively planning and preparing a class, check out the guide below!
Related Article: How to Lesson Plan for New Teachers – Free Guide
4. Prepare the Classroom and Gather Materials
Once you have your curriculum, you can now prepare the classroom.
If your ESL program is set to be online, then choose an appropriate learning platform like Zoom, Google Workspace, or Microsoft Teams.
An offline setting will require you to find a suitable teaching space that is ideal for learning with minimal distractions.
Make sure to arrange desks or seating in a way that will promote collaboration.
Your materials will differ depending on factors such as whether your program is in-class or online, and who your students are.
For online programs, make sure to find appropriate and relevant videos, songs, games, etc., that you can play with your students in the virtual classroom.
For in-class programs, you can find materials and visual aids such as posters, flashcards, props, games, etc.
5. Hire Qualified Teachers
If you plan on being the only teacher, you can skip this step, but it could become relevant if you intend to expand the reach of your program.
When choosing someone to teach your program, make sure to recruit qualified instructors with experience in teaching ESL.
Most ESL programs will employ teachers with a degree in any subject and a TEFL certificate.
They should be likable and possess a strong grasp of the English language.
Check out platforms like Upwork and Fiverr mentioned above.
LinkedIn is also great for networking and recruiting potential professional teachers for your ESL program.
A good teacher will be adaptable, reliable, and able to adapt to new teaching methodologies.
Make sure to train any new teachers and allow them to give you a demonstration class so you can feel confident that they can successfully navigate a classroom.
If you want to know more about TEFL certifications, check out the article below.
Related Article: Is TEFL Worth It? The Pros and Cons of TEFL Certificates
6. Find Students
An ESL program wouldn’t be much use without students!
This can first be done by reaching out to your target audience and offering them the chance to study with you.
It can be challenging to gain traction at first, so don’t be afraid to offer free trial classes to new students before asking them to sign up.
You can run ads and reach out on social media for adult learners.
For younger learners, you must appeal to parents and guardians, which can also be done through ads.
Word of mouth is also an incredibly powerful tool; be sure to offer referral bonuses to folks who introduce you to new students.
Typically, offering something like 10% off course costs to anyone who refers someone can be a great incentive for them and will help you grow your ESL program at a faster rate!
This step will differ depending on your own plans and where you want to take the ESL program, so develop a strategy for this and cater to it as you begin to grow your program.
7. Provide Resources and Support
A well-functioning ESL program will require sufficient support for both teachers and students to thrive.
For teachers, be sure to offer training and professional development opportunities to enhance their development.
For students, strive to give them access to English language resources such as textbooks, apps, visual media, etc.
Creating a supportive learning environment will give everyone a sense of security and will help keep them motivated.
The level of resources and support will differ depending on the needs of your students.
For young learners, you must establish good communication with their parents or guardians.
For adult learners, you can promote cooperation and collaboration between students.
Encourage them to reach out and establish connections with others who share similar language learning goals.
8. Promote Student Involvement
Now, you are well on your way to establishing your ESL program.
To keep your course engaging and effective for learning, make sure to include interactive activities.
The more hands-on, the better.
Whether in the form of games, role-plays, competitions, presentations, etc., an interactive classroom will be one that promotes a positive classroom culture.
Include real-world examples in classes and keep the lessons relevant and dynamic.
Students should be encouraged to get involved, ask questions, and practice their language skills as much as they can.
A wealth of resources is available in the form of technology that can enhance any language-learning classroom.
Make the most of apps and other relevant tools that can help students in and out of the classroom.
Students should constantly be reminded to practice independently and have ample access to interactive language learning activities.
Another essential aspect of promoting student involvement is to allow learners to collaborate and work together.
This can be done by assigning group projects, having role-plays, debates, language games, presentations, etc.
Allowing students to work together will allow them to build stronger bonds with their peers, accelerating their development and confidence.
More opportunities for students to practice their language skills in real-life situations will boost comprehension and relatability to the language.
Students should be encouraged to share their own life experiences and want to express themselves and their cultures in the classroom.
This will forge a stronger sense of community and greatly enhance student’s intercultural competence and understanding.
9. Assess and Provide Feedback
Assessing students and providing regular feedback is crucial for them to be fully aware of their strengths and areas needing improvement.
This is essential for their development and for you to cater your approach to suit them accordingly.
Using various tools, such as tests, quizzes, speaking assessments, etc., can all be very useful in providing regular and accurate feedback.
This will help track individual growth and accomplishments and will help with keeping students motivated to excel.
Offering incentives and rewards to students to perform well and hit personalized goals and milestones can also effectively get great results.
If your ESL program grows to great heights, you may find yourself thinking about what to do next.
How about having your school’s own language-learning app?
This incredible venture could take your program even further; check out the 9-step guide below to learn how you can make this happen.
Related Article: How to Create a Language Learning App (Free 9-Step Guide)
10. Strive to Improve and Evolve
To anyone who reaches this step, congratulations!
It is a wonderful feat and sense of accomplishment to create a functioning ESL program.
It’s important always to strive to improve your service by looking for ways to enhance the curriculum, materials, and quality of teaching.
Be sure to gather feedback from both students and teachers to gain valuable insights into the positives and areas in need of improvement of the ESL program.
You can conduct surveys, focus groups, and even schedule individual meetings to allow others to share their experiences, suggestions, and concerns.
It is necessary to make any changes and improvements to the program based on the feedback received.
This will establish a sense of trust and respect and will improve the program sevenfold.
Address any specific needs or challenges identified and continuously monitor and adapt the program to refine it to become one of the best in the business.
Conclusion
Anyone wanting to start an ESL program will have to commit serious time and dedication for a positive outcome.
It’s essential to determine the target audience and establish a curriculum and platform for teaching.
Follow the steps outlined in this guide, and you will be well on your way to creating a good quality ESL program.
Creating an ESL program can be an incredible and rewarding experience and will give you the opportunity to broaden your horizons while empowering the lives of non-native English speakers.
Remember that an effective ESL program goes beyond just language learning; it involves adaptation and malleability to ensure the best quality of service.
Always strive to evolve and meet the requirements of the learners to become the best at what you do.
If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to reach out to us.
We’re here to support you on your journey to starting an ESL program.
Good luck on your journey, and have a wonderful day!
Image Attribution: All images licensed via canva.com
