Your Agora Blog | Principal (2)

Sep 26, 2018 10:00:00 AM

How to Manage a Language School: Avoid Making These Detrimental Mistakes

By Elizaveta Shkurina

Mistake #1 Policy is Always the Answer

Sep 24, 2018 7:02:00 PM

How to Evaluate Teaching Effectiveness Like a Pro

By Bridget Manley

Ineffective teachers come with a hefty price tag. Research suggests that spending a single year with an egregiously underperforming teacher can cost a student as much as $1.4 million in lost lifetime earnings. They can also cause even the best-run ESL schools to lose valuable clients and credibility. A well-developed teacher evaluation plan, then, is essential for protecting both your students and your business.

Sep 17, 2018 10:15:00 AM

ESL CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERIES: WHO ARE YOUR STUDENTS?

By MK Argo

Here at Your Agora, we understand the Curriculum Development process can be tedious and confusing, especially when you're starting an ESL school. Through our series on ESL Curriculum Development, we will walk you through the important steps in this process to ensure your successful school will have the best curriculum possible!

Sep 16, 2018 7:39:39 PM

Guide to Understanding School Finances

By Elizaveta Shkurina

Starting, running and improving an ESL school cannot take place without proper financial and operations management. Clear policies and procedures in the areas of finance, operations and risk are critical for a financially-sustainable school. By consistently implementing these policies and procedures, schools ensure their ability to serve current and future generations of students.

Aug 8, 2018 12:00:00 PM

8 Tested Strategies for Effective Change Management

By Bridget Manley

What’s the likelihood that a major change in your school will yield the long-term results you want?

Aug 6, 2018 12:00:00 PM

Successful ESL Program Models

By Elizaveta Shkurina

The past two decades have brought the second largest wave of immigration to the United States. Unfortunately, the states are struggling to keep up. Based on recent data by NPR, researchers found that no matter where they go to school, most ESL students are struggling due to having little or no access to quality instruction.

Jul 20, 2018 4:07:00 PM

Signs Your ESL School Needs a Technology Makeover

By Elizaveta Shkurina

Is your ESL school caught in a technological time warp? The likely answer is yes.

Jul 19, 2018 11:33:00 AM

Tips For Teaching English Language Learners: What Principals Can Do to Create a Supportive Environment

By Elizaveta Shkurina

Rising immigration trends are creating an influx of students learning English as a second language in US schools. However, statistics show that students in ESL programs often underperform when compared to their peers. This shows a problem in the education system that needs to be immediately addressed. In two decades, ESL students are projected to comprise more than one‐third of the student population in US public schools. Thus, the importance of improving their education will not diminish any time soon.

Jul 17, 2018 3:45:00 PM

Coaching and Mentoring Skills For Successful Professional Teacher Development

By Bridget Manley

Do you make one-on-one professional development a priority for educators of all experience levels and abilities? If you don't, you should. Research shows that coaching and mentoring programs can produce gains in teacher retention, student performance and productivity.

Jul 5, 2018 2:24:00 PM

ESL Recruitment: Tips for Attracting the Best Teachers

By Bridget Manley

How much can it cost you to hire the wrong ESL teacher? Quite a lot, actually. When a candidate proves to be a less-than-ideal fit, you can plan to spend six to nine months of the ESL teacher’s salary to find and onboard a replacement, Gallup reported. To put that into context, a teacher who’s hired at $45,000 annually may require up to $33,750 to replace.