Neighbourhood language school

Adult learners, parents, newcomers wanting English or French, and local employers booking staff classes.

Course fees per term paid by each student, plus corporate group contracts, exam preparation and occasional workshops.

• Teaching or managing teachers
• Course planning and scheduling
• Marketing to local communities
• Basic bookkeeping

• Check whether your province requires a private training school registration, which may involve fees, a bond or approved programs
• Check municipal zoning, occupancy and fire safety rules for your premises
• Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Lease commitments are a risk if enrolment is slow, and terms may dip in summer
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for signage and materials
• Startup costs depend on the space: a leased classroom typically needs a deposit, fit-out, furniture, teaching materials, registration costs and some months of rent before enrolment builds

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on the space. A leased classroom usually needs a deposit, fit-out, furniture, teaching materials, registration costs and some months of rent before enrolment builds.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on enrolment, course prices and the number of classes you run. Terms may dip in summer, and slow enrolment makes lease commitments a risk.

Check whether your province requires private training school registration, which may involve fees, a bond or approved programs. Also check municipal zoning, occupancy and fire safety rules, insurance, and in Quebec, French-language requirements for signage and materials.