Selecting an English training provider for your Irish business requires careful comparison. This English training RFP template gives you 25 structured questions across six categories covering provider qualifications, training methodology, measurement, pricing, technology, and implementation. Use it to compare providers fairly, avoid hidden costs, and make an informed procurement decision.
Selecting an English training provider shouldn’t feel like guesswork! You’re about to invest thousands of euros and months of your team’s time, so getting this decision right matters. A well-structured Request for Proposal helps you compare providers fairly, ask the right questions upfront, and avoid costly surprises down the line.
This guide gives you a ready-to-use English training RFP template designed specifically for Irish businesses. You’ll find 25 essential questions organised by category, plus guidance on what to look for in each response. If you’re in manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, or any sector where clear English communication affects safety, productivity, and compliance, this template will help you make a confident choice!
Why Your English Training RFP Needs Structure
You probably wouldn’t hire a facilities manager without asking about their experience, or a software vendor without understanding their support model. The same logic applies to language training providers! A well-built English training RFP template gives you consistent answers across all proposals, making it far easier to identify which provider truly fits your needs.
According to the Office of Government Procurement, clear evaluation criteria and transparent requirements are fundamental to successful procurement outcomes. Here is what a solid RFP accomplishes: it filters out unsuitable providers early, creates objective comparison points that you can present to finance and senior leadership, surfaces hidden costs or limited flexibility before contracts are signed, and builds accountability by setting clear expectations from day one. That last point is more valuable than it sounds. When providers know exactly how they’ll be assessed, you get sharper proposals and fewer surprises once training starts.
Understanding RFP, RFI, and RFQ
Request for Information (RFI): Your research phase when you’re still exploring what solutions exist in the market.
Request for Proposal (RFP): What you need here. Detailed proposals from qualified providers where you compare training approaches, pricing, and service models.
Request for Quote (RFQ): Used when you know exactly what you want and need pricing only. Less common for training services, as language learning is never a one-size-fits-all purchase.
For most Irish companies seeking English training, an RFP is the right choice. You understand your business challenges but need providers to show you, in detail, how they’d address them.
Your 25-Question English Training RFP Template
These questions are grouped into six categories covering everything from provider credentials to ongoing support. Copy them directly into your English training RFP template or adapt them to match your organisation’s needs.
Provider Experience and Qualifications (Questions 1 to 5)
1. How long have you provided English training to businesses in Ireland?
Look for: At least two years serving Irish companies. Local experience means understanding Skillnet Ireland funding, Irish workplace culture, and the specific communication challenges in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and food production.
2. What industries or sectors do you specialise in?
Look for: Specific experience in your sector. Sector-specific training delivers faster, more measurable results because learners practise the language they actually use at work every day!
3. Can you provide three client references from similar-sized organisations in our sector?
Look for: References you can genuinely contact about results achieved, communication quality, and whether they’d work with the provider again.
4. What qualifications do your trainers hold?
Look for: CELTA, DELTA, or equivalent qualifications. Business teaching experience is as important as academic credentials, and ideally your trainer will have relevant industry knowledge too.
5. Are you experienced with Skillnet Ireland funding applications and reporting requirements?
Look for: A proven track record managing funded programmes. Skillnet Ireland co-funds training for Irish businesses, potentially covering up to 20% of costs. See how government-funded English training works in practice.
Training Methodology and Customisation (Questions 6 to 11)
6. Describe your delivery model. What balance do you use between live sessions and self-study?
Look for: Blended learning combining regular live classes with flexible e-learning. Weekly or fortnightly live sessions supported by on-demand materials works well for teams with varied schedules.
7. How do you assess learners’ English levels before training begins?
Look for: Initial assessments covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing, plus specific workplace tasks relevant to your industry. You should receive detailed reports showing each learner’s starting point.
8. Will you customise content to include our company’s specific terminology, processes, and scenarios?
Look for: Willingness to incorporate your SOPs and industry vocabulary. Training built around your actual workplace accelerates results noticeably!
9. What’s your typical class size for group training?
Look for: Six to ten learners maximum. Speaking practice is where real language progress happens, and small groups give everyone enough time with the tutor.
10. Do you offer both group and individual training options?
Look for: Flexibility to mix formats. Most of your team benefits from group learning, but key staff — dispatchers, supervisors, quality leads — often need individual sessions for higher-stakes communication. Take a look at how this works for English training in logistics as an example.
11. How do you accommodate different shift patterns and work schedules?
Look for: Multiple class times, fully online delivery, and recorded sessions for learners who miss a live class.
Measurement and Reporting (Questions 12 to 16)
12. How do you measure and report on learner progress?
Look for: A structured assessment framework, not just occasional check-ins. At Everywhere English, progress tracking includes monthly formative tasks — workplace simulations with teacher feedback and learner self-assessment — alongside formal assessments every 12 weeks: a diagnostic entry test at Week 1, a progress test at each 12-week interval, and a summative exit test at course end. That combination gives you a clear, evidence-based picture of where each learner started and how far they’ve come.
13. What metrics do you track beyond language proficiency?
Look for: Attendance rates, engagement scores, completion rates, and confidence improvements. The best providers also track workplace impacts like error reduction or improved safety compliance — particularly important in sectors like pharmaceuticals where accuracy is critical.
14. How frequently will we receive progress updates?
Look for: Monthly reports at minimum, with quarterly management reviews built into the contract from the start.
15. Can you provide a sample progress report or dashboard?
Look for: Clear, visual reports that non-specialists can read at a glance. Finance and senior leadership need to see key metrics without having to dig through spreadsheets!
16. What happens if learners aren’t progressing as expected?
Look for: A clear escalation process and intervention approach. Good providers spot struggling learners early and adjust before problems build up.
Pricing and Contracts (Questions 17 to 20)
17. Provide a complete cost breakdown including all fees.
Look for: Transparent pricing with no surprise charges. Quality corporate English training in Ireland typically runs from €25 to €45 per learner per hour for group sessions, and €50 to €80 for individual training.
18. What payment terms and schedules do you offer?
Look for: Monthly payment options that reduce upfront commitment. Be cautious of providers asking for full payment at the start of a six to twelve-month programme.
19. How long will this pricing remain valid?
Look for: Price guarantees for at least 12 months. Lock in your rate for the contract period before you sign.
20. What’s included in your pricing, and what costs extra?
Look for: Platform access, materials, assessments, and progress reports included as standard. Extra charges might apply to certification exams or highly specialised content.
Technology and Platform (Questions 21 to 23)
21. Describe your learning platform and its features.
Look for: Mobile access, progress tracking for both learners and managers, self-study materials, scheduling tools, and attendance tracking built in.
22. What technical support do you provide to learners and administrators?
Look for: A dedicated support contact, onboarding assistance for your team, and responses within 24 hours.
23. Is your platform accessible on mobile devices?
Look for: iOS and Android compatibility with low bandwidth requirements. Many of your learners will access training on their phones outside of work hours.
Implementation and Support (Questions 24 to 25)
24. What’s your typical timeline from contract signature to first training session?
Look for: Two to three weeks for assessments, scheduling, and setup. Anything longer may signal an overstretched team.
25. Who will be our main point of contact, and how will ongoing communication work?
Look for: A named account manager or programme coordinator who responds within one business day.
Scoring Your Proposals
Once responses are in, an objective scoring system keeps your decision fair and easy to document. Here is a simple weighting framework used by many Irish procurement teams. Adjust the percentages to match what matters most in your organisation.
| Category | Suggested Weighting |
| Experience and Qualifications | 25% |
| Training Methodology | 25% |
| Pricing and Value | 20% |
| Measurement and Reporting | 15% |
| Platform and Technology | 10% |
| Implementation and Support | 5% |
Red Flags to Watch For
Would you trust a provider who’s vague about pricing? What about one who can’t share references or won’t show you how they measure results? Here’s what to watch out for:
• Evasive answers around pricing, qualifications, or results measurement
• No sector-specific experience in your industry
• Rigid schedules with no flexibility for shift workers
• No clear method for tracking learner progress
• Pressure to sign before you’ve had time to evaluate properly
What Happens After You Choose?
Your RFP process doesn’t end when you pick a winner! Here are the steps that matter most:
1. Negotiate the contract: Everything promised in the proposal should appear in writing, including service levels, reporting frequency, and pricing guarantees.
2. Plan the implementation: Work with your chosen provider on assessment scheduling, group organisation, and learner communication before the first session.
3. Set success metrics: Before training starts, agree on what success looks like. Is it 80% attendance? A measurable drop in communication errors? Clear targets make final evaluation straightforward.
4. Schedule regular reviews: Book monthly or quarterly check-ins from the outset so issues get picked up early.
Common Questions About English Training RFPs
How many providers should I approach?
Three to five. Fewer doesn’t give enough comparison points; more becomes difficult to manage fairly.
How long should providers have to respond?
Two to three weeks. Rush deadlines tend to produce generic proposals that don’t reflect what a provider can actually do for you.
Should I include our budget?
A budget range helps providers put forward realistic solutions rather than either over- or under-scoping their proposals.
What about Skillnet Ireland funding?
Mention you’re exploring co-funding and ask providers about their experience with funded programmes and their willingness to support your application.
Ready to Find the Right Provider?
Everywhere English works with businesses across Ireland and the UK in manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and more. Our industry-specific English courses combine weekly live sessions with experienced tutors and 24/7 self-study access, backed by monthly HR reports tracking every learner’s progress. We hold a 5.0 Google rating from over 57 reviews!
Get in touch with Everywhere English to discuss sector-specific language training or to request a sample progress report so you can see exactly what you’d receive. Your team deserves training that actually works, and a well-structured RFP process is your first step to making that happen.
