Getting accommodation right is vital to any ELT centre's success - from fulfilling and exceeding student expectations, to passing inspection criteria. And using residential providers is an increasingly important part of the accommodation mix.
Our afternoon session in Liverpool will focus on current and future trends in northern England, what this might mean for negotiation and contracts and how to resolve issues. British Council inspector Liz Granato will give an update from the Accreditation unit, and delegates will hear about 'Gen Z', and how to appeal to them.
This event is for anyone sourcing and organising their centre's accommodation and marketing this to prospective students, such as accommodation managers, principals and directors.
When: Wednesday 28 November, 12:30 to 16:00
Where: Liverpool School of English, 50-54 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool
Refreshments: Tea, coffee and light lunch will be provided
Certificate: Yes, from the trainer at the end of the session
Price: £40 for English UK members and £60 for non-members
Please note: the focus is not 'day-to-day' operational policies and procedures.
The programme
12:40 – 13:30 - Dealing with student residences: from challenge to opportunity with Neil Siner
14:00 – 14:20 - Inspection Overview with Liz Granato
14:30 – 15:20 - Accommodation for the network generation with James Herbertson
15:25 – 16:00 - Ask the experts Q&A panel with all speakers
12:40 – 13:30 | Neil Siner
Dealing with student residences: from challenge to opportunity
With the language school market in growth and the customer expecting more from their accommodation, private student residences can deliver the style and standard of rooms to fulfil student demand and create a more enticing overall package; but how to get the best out of them?
We start with a brief overview of the evolution of this dynamic and ever-changing market sector, before assessing the current state of play and expected future trends. With a focus on the North we'll take a closer look at some of the key players in the region and the challenges they face as they expand. Then at how the Northern schools might turn those challenges into opportunities to negotiate better future deals, on both price and service, with the right providers.
On a more micro level we raid our own archives to review some common accommodation problems that arise from a residents' point of view and explore ways of dealing with them on the ground.
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Neil Siner started his career in the National Newspaper business where he worked for 15 years, becoming the Advertising Manager of the UK's biggest titles. After a short sabbatical teaching English in China and Malaysia he set up his own content production company working for clients such as Toyota and University of London.
He runs Student Accommodation Finders Ltd - a student accommodation agency that deals with the country's biggest Purpose Built Student Accommodation providers on a daily basis - and Hallbookers the 'Tripadvisor' of the student accommodation market.
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14:00 – 14:20 | Liz Granato
Inspection overview
As an Accreditation UK inspector, Liz is aware of not only the criteria centres must follow to pass inspection, but also the challenges centre staff face.
In this 20-minute overview, Liz will go over relevant criteria and some of the common inspection issues that come with residential accommodation.
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Liz Granato has many years' experience in ELT as an academic, centre and student services manager, and as a British Council Inspector. Liz also tutors on the English UK Certificate in Student Services Management. |
14:30 – 15:20 | James Herbertson
Accommodation for the network generation
In this interactive session, we will look at how understanding the fastest-growing customer-base, Generation Z, is vital for attracting students, maintaining satisfaction and generating new student interest. We will discuss:
- What they care about
- Who they care about
- How they choose their accommodation
- How their share their experiences
- How they react if it goes wrong
- Why you should offer them more than a bed.
We will map the traditional accommodation journey of a student, compare it to a Generation Z student, and, using the international expertise in the room, share our understanding of how to create a successful experience for student and provider.
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James Herbertson has a unique insight in to international education. He has studied abroad, started and sold agency Answer English, created London Nest helping 15,000 students find accommodation, and recently co-founded social enterprise Bayswater Education.
James' holistic view on the student experience is what drives his passion for disruption and improvement: changing the perception of accommodation as "just somewhere to sleep" into the bedrock of the student experience.
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15:25 – 16:00 | All speakers
Ask the experts Q&A panel
A chance for participants to put questions and discussion points to the speakers.
Getting accommodation right is vital to any ELT centre's success - view all upcoming English UK training events for workshops on residential and homestay accommodation as well as safeguarding training and webinars.
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