Daniel Xerri

This article is the last in a ten-part series that examines some of the key concepts that leaders of private language schools might find useful to be familiar with. Introduction Developing a solid understanding of culture is important for school leaders working in private language schools given that it plays a central role in an organisation’s success. Culture is not only something we associate with the country in which an organisation is based or the countries that impact its business, but it is a notion that manifests itself within the organisation itself and the people who constitute it. Leadership and culture The relationship...

This article challenges the perception of research as intimidating or irrelevant to English language teachers. It advocates reclaiming research as a reflective, empowering and context-sensitive practice. By embracing teacher-led inquiry, emotional engagement and relevance, classroom research becomes a tool for professional growth, learner support and systemic change. Introduction For many English language teachers around the world, the word ‘research’ can feel intimidating – sterile, academic, even alien. Some associate it with dense journal articles, complex methodologies or institutional agendas far removed from the realities of the classroom. Others may feel pressure to engage in ‘evidence-based practice’ without clarity on whose evidence...

This article is the ninth in a ten-part series that examines some of the key concepts that leaders of private language schools might find useful to be familiar with. Introduction One of the challenges that leaders of private language schools face is that of enabling employees to harness their creativity in order to come up with innovative solutions to problems within the organisation and the industry it forms a part of. Besides understanding why creativity plays a vital role in an organisation’s performance, school leaders must be able to identify the most effective ways of leveraging employee’s creative behaviour. Organisational performance A number...

This article we are exploring the barriers to creativity in private language schools. The eighth in a ten-part series examining some key concepts leaders of private language schools might find useful to become familiar with. Introduction Defined as a process involving the generation of new and useful ideas (Runco & Jaeger, 2012), creativity can help a private language school to sustain its competitive advantage and to remain innovative (Mullins & Christy, 2016). Given the central significance of creativity for organisational performance, school leaders need to first understand what hinders it before attempting to nurture it. External or internal The barriers to creativity within...

This article is the seventh in a ten-part series that examines some of the key concepts that leaders of private language schools might find useful to be familiar with. Introduction While motivation has been defined in various ways, some definitions incorporate the idea that it consists of striving to attain a specific goal (Sansone et al., 2019). These definitions have led to the formulation of goal theory, which posits that people’s behaviour is determined by the goals they set and that their goal-directed performance is linked to the emotions and desires they value (Mullins & Christy, 2016). It can be argued...

This article is the sixth in a ten-part series that examines some of the key concepts that leaders of private language schools might find it useful to be familiar with. Introduction Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognised as being fundamental to leaders’ competencies and to how well they perform. In fact, research indicates that there exist statistically significant differences between effective and ineffective leaders in terms of their level of emotional intelligence, with the former scoring much higher than the latter (Kotzé & Venter, 2011). For example, the emotional intelligence of effective leaders is seen as a predictor of employees’ organisational citizenship...

The article argues that there are four main styles from which ELT managers can choose depending on their context. Success comes from bringing staff on board and ensuring their future growth.

The article argues that organisational politics does not have to have a negative impact on an institution. With transparency and inclusivity it can be a positive aspect of leadership.

The article argues that managers need to understand organisational behaviour and how by doing so can create a more positive environment.

The article argues that teamwork is an opportunity to collaborate, lead and create and, if managed well, is a vital part of running a school.

The article argues that managers need to be equipped to see the big picture, understand fully their staff and their potential and also be aware of their own traits.

In the final part of a series, Daniel Xerri describes some of the key aspects of data collection for a research project.

In the second of a series, Daniel Xerri describes some of the key aspects of the initial stages of a research project.

In the first of a series, Daniel Xerri describes some of the key aspects of research from ontology to reflexivity.

Daniel Xerri describes ways of developing entrepreneurial skills within schools.