Page 21 - ELG1909 Sep Issue 466

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RANKING 2019 UK Language Centres

Retention is the key to success Wrap-around learning

Melanie Butler explains how and why our four super-schools
hang on to their staff Melanie Butler fi nds a school where everyone can help learners to learn

nly four language course providers have a perfect score “All our DoSs have K language schools put ‘the student experience’ at the top from students during excursions, which helps students to develop
on British Council Inspection reports: three year-round been with us for four PIXABAY of their agenda. Broadstairs English Centre (BEC) has a their language skills.”
private language schools and one summer school organiser. summers or more,” Sam different vision. Their aim is to create ‘one continuous Then there are the host families. “BEC has developed a unique
O But how do they do on another important metric Holderness point out. Ulearning experience, to which every member of staff and training programme for homestay hosts,” write the inspectors,
used in educational research: teacher retention. For mainstream UK The top three language every homestay provider contributes.’ “which introduces them to basic teaching techniques that facilitate
education, keeping teachers is a key issue. schools all boast high This year, the British Council’s inspectors found “ample evidence” that conversation with their students in the home.”
“We know that high-quality teaching is the thing that makes the levels of year-round they have achieved their aim. They awarded BEC 14 areas of strength But how do you teach host families to help students learn?
biggest difference to young people’s academic grades,” says Sir Kevan permanent staff. All full- out of a possible 15, making it not only the highest-ranking year-round Chris explains. “By highlighting the importance of techniques like
Collins, CEO of the Educational Endowment Foundation. “Yet time staff at ELC Bristol young learner specialist, but the only centre specialising in year-round allowing students enough time to answer questions, asking open
recruiting and retaining teachers… is challenging.” are permanent, and the school trips ever to become an EL Gazette Centre of Excellence. questions, and being aware of idiomatic language.”
British Council inspections do not even cover staff turnover. But all roughly half of all teachers Is teacher churn preventing your We asked principal Chris McDermott why they set out to create a Even the teachers are continuously learning: weekly teachers’
three of the private language schools who received a perfect score on who prefer to work part- school from reaching its top potential? school which is not just learner-centred, but learning-centred? meetings and CPD, peer observations, training days. The school
inspection retain close to 90 per cent of teachers, year-on-year. time enjoy the same terms According to Chris, “It is paramount that every opportunity for funds the Trinity diploma and, along with both Assistant Directors
Last year, the turnover rate at LSI Portsmouth was at13 per cent, it and conditions. learning is taken: in class, on activities and in the home… everyone of Studies, seven of the
was less than ten per cent at Wimbledon School of English and at just More than 70 per cent of all teachers are permanent at LSI, rising is on board to make this a unique childhood experience that can teachers have either completed
7.5 per cent at ELC Bristol. to 90 per cent at Wimbledon School of English. Wimbledon CEO, influence studies, careers and ambitions.” it or are enrolled on the
“What helps us a lot to retain our teachers is that our student Jane Dancaster said that, “Having a core team of permanent staff, Chris and Alex, the school directors and owners, previously course. The Accommodation
numbers are very stable,” says John Duncan of ELC Bristol. both teachers and administrators, enables us to have a programme of taught EFL, following on from their parents, Chris and Vivienne, Manager not only has a
“Being able to retain our teachers helps us maintain the quality continuous professional development (CPD). That in turn helps us to who were both teacher-trainers. Their mother, Vivienne, now runs diploma in Student Services BROADSTAIRS ENGLISH CENTRE
of the teaching and the resulting student satisfaction, in turn, helps deliver consistently high quality programmes.” the excursion programme for the group leaders who accompany Management, she is also a
us to achieve good student numbers year-round. So, without doubt, The availability of CPD is one reason teachers choose to stay at a children to the school. qualified state-school teacher.
teacher retention is a key factor in our success.” school, according to LSI Portsmouth. Other reasons they cited were Group leaders are not only offered a free private excursion, but also A school that offers wrap-
High teacher turnover is inevitable for holiday course providers, the feeling of being “settled,” the “wide variety of courses” and “the some free classes, which can include language practice, methodology around learning. It’s a simple
who perforce have no permanent teaching staff. Summer Boarding collegiate atmosphere.” and new ideas for lessons. idea. Focus on the learning, Part of the family: BEC principal
Courses, which also has a perfect score, had 42 per cent of teachers High quality teaching makes the biggest difference, so hang on to The training doesn’t stop with group leaders. The inspectors note isn’t that the whole point of Chris McDermott (left) and his
returning this year. Their return rate in leadership roles is twice as high. high quality teachers. that, “Activity leaders have been trained to give and elicit information education? brother Alex, Business Director.

*According to the EL Gazette rankings based on British Council inspectors’ publishable statements.
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‘The commitment and professionalism of every member of staff makes
you feel relieved and welcome as soon as you arrive in Broadstairs’
Maurice Gorry (Group Leader), Brest
20 September 2019 editorial@elgazette.com 21