3 Key Curriculum Targets for Mom Entrepreneurs with Language Programs

 

 

TIME is the #1 obstacle

for a mom entrepreneur’s success,

that is why it is critical not to waste it with

the wrong curriculum for your type of

setting.

 

So before you spend more precious time

wondering what curriculum to purchase or

writing your own, you may want to

understand the three major goals you

need to achieve with your curriculum.

 

Why Busy “Mamápreneurs” Like You Need to Think Differently About the Curriculum for Your Language Program

I have been helping teachers improve their language instruction for several years, and one of my favorite aspects of that is helping moms start their own language programs.

I myself were once a mamápreneur starting my own “Sueños de colores” Spanish immersion program back in 1999, and I learned many lessons the hard way.

A few years latter (2007), I started rewriting my curriculum and repackaging it for licensing to other language programs and in two more languages (French and Chinese) – I learned quite a few more things doing this as well.

These are the type of lessons that I like to share with other mamápreneurs like you today.

Let me explain one thing that should be obvious to any mom starting her new program but that… mmm, regrettably I think that most miss (including myself back then):

You are NOT a school teacher and you should NOT plan your content as a school teacher.

 

This doesn’t mean that you can do anything you want: you better offer great value or you will not see your hard won students any more.

 

What it means is that what is suitable for a school is not necessarily suitable for an independent program – you will struggle if you apply the wrong model to your setting. Car wheels do not work well on trucks.

 

One way in which the game is quite different is that you need to recruit your own students – and if you haven’t discovered this already, this is not always easy.

Unfortunately, students don’t grow on trees (oh, but wouldn’t that be wonderful!).

Sound marketing is an important first step to attract new students, but you will quickly see that the golden key to your success will be to have lots of happy students that come back year after year.

In order to attract those happy, IDEAL students—defined as the ones that will continue to be engaged and committed to your program year after year—you need to change your mindset and think differently…

And it all starts with your curriculum—yes, that’s right:

If well designed, your curriculum will not only be your “content” but an essential part of your business strategy.

In other words, your curriculum can make your business grow.

[Do yourself a favor and engrave that on your forehead: “Your curriculum can make your business grow.”]

Unfortunately, it can also make it shrink or even stop…

 

That is why it is so important that you learn about the 3 essential goals I mentioned BEFORE you take any further steps with your curriculum.

 

Announcing My Upcoming Webinar “Secrets to a Successful Spanish Immersion Program”

 

I invite you to join me in a free webinar focused on the 3 curriculum goals for mamápreneurs. We will discuss those 3 goals – and in addition – I am going to take you behind the scenes to show you exactly how I design and structure my lesson plans.

As an example, I will provide you a walk through of my “Three Little Pigs” Spanish lesson plan unit for preschoolers. I have never offered this tour before.

And if you speak other languages? Not to worry as the concepts  of this webinar apply to any language.

On top of that I will try to answer as many of your lesson plan questions as possible so that you can start growing your business.

So sign up now to guarantee your spot at the webinar!

*2014 update: Ever since I posted this blog on 2012 I’ve continued working on this very unique curriculum. It’s now called “Mpressarias Curriculum” and you can take a look at it at Spanishlessonplansnow.com (it will soon be available in more languages).

All the best,

Ana Lomba

****

Ana Lomba is changing the way people think about and interact with young children learning languages. Her Parents’ Choice award-winning books, lively songs, games, stories, and mobile applications are quickly becoming favorites with teachers and parents who want to nurture young children’ inborn language abilities. Key to the success of Ana’s break-through method is a focus on the family as the ideal environment for early language learning – even her signature curriculum for language programs is built with parents in mind. Ana has taught toddler, preschool, elementary school, and college-level Spanish courses, and held leadership positions with some of the most influential language organizations in the US, including ACTFL, NNELL and FLENJ. After graduating with a law degree from Spain, her native country, Ana pursued graduate studies at Binghamton University, Princeton University, and NYU. She lives with her husband and three children in Princeton Jct., NJ.