What it covers 

The Zig Zag refers to the alternating schedule students have during their stay. They will study English in classes in either the AM slot or the PM slot and take part in tours and excursions on the other. The Zig Zag allows for an efficient management of large numbers of students at each centre. 

Why it is important

The Zig Zag is a crucial part of planning for both academic and activity purposes. The Director of Studies needs to know the exact numbers, and those numbers must align with the availability of classrooms and teachers. Likewise, you will need to know exact numbers for each tour and excursion for rota creation and ticket booking purposes. 

The Zig Zag will usually be created by your Programme Manager, but there may be an occasion where you need to create or adjust it.  

Step 2: Step 2: Allocate groups to either AM or PM slots in the WEEK ONE chart, following these rules:

• Groups larger than 50 may need to be split evenly between AM and PM

  • This is to ensure that no group is too large for particular activities or excursions

• Nationalities in both slots should be as mixed as possible

  • This is to try to provide a wide mix of nationalities in the classrooms

• The total number for each slot should be as balanced as possible

• You must always consider group or agency requests and requirements - you Area Manager will have more information on this for you

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For planning and operations smoothness, and logistical ease, the number of total students in the AM slot and PM slot should be as close to the same as possible. 

Below is an example of a completed chart:

We can see here that the groups studying English in the AM slot are BEX, Ki Study, Aces, GEC and OL. Half of Travelling Fox are studying in the AM slot, and three quarters of Accademia Garden are too. This means they will go on excursions in the afternoons. 

Step 3: Complete WEEK TWO by reversing the numbers for AM and PM slots from WEEK ONE so they are the opposite of WEEK ONE. 

Step 4: Next up is to adjust the timetables on each tab of this spreadsheet so they accurately display which week is AM classes and which week is PM classes. These timetables should then be sent to each respective group leader as confirmation of the final timetable for their stay. 

Wherever possible, you should aim to match smaller groups onto the same excursion on the same day. This not only increases the nationality mix on an excursion but allows for better allocation of team. 

Remember, if you have any concerns, questions of doubts please call your Programme manager, they are here to help