Yokohama JALT x School Owners SIG

Kenny Fritts
Employee to Business Owner in English Education

Outline: A look at how English speakers in Japan can transition from employee/teacher to owner. A career as a standard ALT or Eikaiwa teacher isn’t going to make for a comfortable retirement. Working long-term as an ALT or at an Eikaiwa in Japan comes with great risk as we age. We will look at different paths and opportunities to successfully transition from employee to owner/operator to business owner.
Questions to be answered include:
Who is likely to be successful at starting an English school business?
Why, when, how to start an English school business?
What are the risks/rewards of starting an English school business?
Biography: Kenny has started, bought, and sold multiple English school businesses in Japan. Kenny is the director of KK Head Start System. KK Head Start System operates and provides international preschool franchising opportunities under the Head Start International Preschool brand. KK Head Start System prepares and assists employees of Head Start International Preschools to become successful franchise owners.

Ryan Hagglund
Most teachers at some time have thought about running their own language school or wondered what it would be like. What would it entail? What might a successful model be? How might it differ from education in the non-profit world? This presentation will utilize a simulation style to highlight challenges and benefits unique to for-profit language schools. Participants will engage in decision-making scenarios and opportunities, observing how they affect both the educational and financial aspects of education as a business.
Biography: Ryan Hagglund is owner of MY English School in Yamagata and has also taught at Yamagata University. He has an MA in TEFL/TESL from University of Birmingham in England, MAT from Willamette University in Oregon, and Oregon State teaching certification for JHS and HS. He lives in Yamagata with his wife and three boys.
*They prefer a Q&A Forum after the two presentations!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://keio-univ.zoom.us/j/83735135241
Meeting ID: 837 3513 5241