Language School Website

[guru]

Hello,

I would really appreciate if you people can tell me what all you expect from a Language School Website as I'm making a new website for a Chinese Language school in Beijing.

Thanks in advance.

[roddy]

List of classes, information about teachers, prices, map, some photos of the school (actual photos, not generic stock photos), contact information, contact form to set up trial class. Keep it simple and factual. Eg, don't tell us you have wonderful teachers, tell us what qualifications and experience they have. Don't fill the site with a load of copy and pasted rubbish about idioms and ethnic minorities.

[putonghua73]

Keep it simple and factual

Absolutely agree. It is so frustrating trying to obtain even basic information that one considers pivotal when deciding on a language school e.g.

1. Classes:

• What levels (beginner' date=' intro-elementary, elementary, advanced, etc)[*']How many students per class
• How is each class organised i.e. speaking, listening, reading, writing
• What material is used i.e. textbooks
• How many hours per day
• Term times i.e. start / finish

2. Prices

• Class prices
• Pricing options i.e. just classes, accommodation options, student visa costs, other costs

3. Teachers

• Qualifications
• Experience

• Quality Assurance i.e. does the school measure and monitor teachers' performance

4. Location

• Full address
• Map
• Transport options to/from airport / train station, etc
• Opening / Closing times

5. Contact details

• Telephone number
• Email address
• Point(s) of contact i.e. whom

6. Application process

• Simple web-based form
• State information required
• State documentation required i.e. bank statements, visas, etc
• State time-scales

7. Other

• Trial classes option (good point, Roddy)
• Geographical ratio of students i.e. x% Asian, x% European, etc

With regards to website design, clear layout, easy to navigate to required section, good quality images of classes, teachers, students, school facilities, location, etc. Have a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page.

The final point and probably most important point, make sure that the school administration is willing to answer queries. It staggers me that administration for language schools (and other educational institutes) cannot comprehend basic customer service. Prospective students are customers - and the sooner that educational institutes realise this fundamental fact, and that customers can and will shop around, the better they can target their customer needs and increase their business i.e. through more students choosing the educational institute.

Cheers!

[Scoobyqueen]

Also keep in mind only to include what the school can actually offer. Too many times I have seen schools promise stuff on their websites they cant deliver in real life.