Are u going to be using php? If so then don't expect it tonwork in your browser as you are only opening it in a browser. You should have a local apache server if u want to interpret the php language to display correctly in a browser.
I remember my forst project, it wasn't as beautiful as the one you have. It was a lame design, but hell my project was based on php programming and not website design 
Two year course; first year - learning how to design, second year - php and mySQL databases, basically connecting a database to your website

He's doing only a web design work which includes html5/css3 and a bit of javascript. I don't think he has interest in getting into web development.
Back into the design: It looks good but it is because of the gif or the design is actually loading slowly when you switch between menu's? Use a free web hosting instead of using images and gifs so we can actually see how it really looks :d
It's not that slow and I would love to get it onto a host however this is not finished and at the end of the first year I will eventually upload it onto the web.
Here's what my mate did for his first year,
www.scotski.cba.pl - free hosting so don't judge!
