LIKE many students at Creative Horizons Language Centre, Anil wants to continue with classes after his recent Primary School Leaving Examination. In fact, he turned down his mother's suggestion that he take a break. Going to class is something he looks forward to.

Samuel, who is in Primary 1, used to play his handheld computer game while waiting for his mother. Now, when his mother arrives to pick him up, she sees him reading a book. She is pleased that after half a year at the centre, he has learned to enjoy reading.

Creative Horizons' partners (from far left) Ms Tan, Ms Faeza and Ms Ong believe that an enrichment centre should create an environment where students feel that learning is safe and fun.

The founders of Creative Horizons, an English Language enrichment centre, were determined to create a place that students would enjoy coming to - and learn to read, write and speak confidently.

After 12 years of working closely with children, the centre has some advice for those who are interested in starting an enrichment centre for students.

The six guidelines below will help you make the difference between running just another centre and one that can make an impact in the industry:

1 Create suitable programmes

Enrichment programmes have to offer more than what students get in school - they have to go beyond basic needs.

For example, you can incorporate higher-level thinking skills such as analysis and synthesis, multiple sensory elements visual/spatial, verbal/linguistic, logic, musical/ rhythmic, kinesthetic) and learning how to learn.

A programme like this requires active participation by students in the learning process. A typical class should be filled with students who are eager to answer questions and get involved in animated discussions.

2 Choose the right teachers

When interviewing teachers for enrichment centres, look for teachers who have lively minds and patient temperaments. Previous teaching experience is an asset.

During the interview, ask questions such as:

- How would you handle a student who did not understand your explanation?

- Give an example of what you consider to be a weak student or a good student.

- What is your class management style?

- What books, movies, television shows and music are you interested in?

Hire interviewees whose replies show that they are flexible - they are likely to make an effort to match their styles to the students' needs.

Interviewees should also show that they can appreciate the different talents that students have.

They must be able to engage their students as they attempt to understand their interests, be it football or the latest movie.

3 Provide comprehensive training

Train teachers by first taking them through the pedagogical aspects of your programme so that they clearly understand your centre's focus and emphasis.

Then, have them observe classes so that they understand how to create the environment.

Next, have the trainee teachers co-teach with an experienced teacher.

Offer your observations and, over the next few months, continue to have consultations with the new teachers on their lessons and students.

4 Hold on to experienced staff

Enrichment centres should also create good working environments so that they retain their trained and experienced teachers.

At Creative Horizons, full-time teachers have a set number of classes that allow them sufficient time to review lessons before class, teach and mark all their work during office hours.

Allow teachers who are young parents flexible working hours so that they can see to their children's needs.

5 Create a conducive environment

Enrichment centres are most successful if they are able to create an environment where students feel that learning is safe as well as fun, and parents have a supportive role to play.

Safe learning is where students can:

- experiment and learn from their mistakes,

- volunteer ideas and know that their contribution is appreciated,

- ask relevant questions and receive considered answers, and

- have an outlet for their creativity.

Play is an important element in fun learning.

Learning while playing requires students to use multiple types of intelligence. This helps them to become more flexible learners and active participants in their own learning.

Create a learning environment that extends outside the classroom.

Guide students on how to learn from books, newspapers, magazines and television so that they build on specific as well as general knowledge.

Involve parents in their children's learning too. Written reports, meetings with parents and casual conversations help parents monitor their children's progress and development.

Teachers should build a professional relationship with parents and be open to discussing their students' progress with parents.

6 Be efficient and friendly

The first person a potential client sees or speaks to is very important. So the administrative team must convey efficiency and friendliness.

An administrator should be someone who can explain the centre's programmes clearly and answer parents' questions effectively.

Finally, when starting an enrichment centre, view it as a responsible business venture. For an enrichment centre to have long-term success, enrichment teaching should be understood as both a profession and a vocation.

Article contributed by Faeza Sirajudin, Lindy Ong and Jenny Tan, who are partners at Creative Horizons Language Centre. For details, visit www.creativehorizons.com.sg

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