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Canada Feedback
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Chinese student numbers were high among the respondents who took part in this issue’s Feedback Survey of Canada, while the proportion of Western Europeans was down on last year.
Canada feedback at a glance
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Total number of students: (female 101, male 73, Unknown 3) 177
Average age in years: 24.9
Average length of programme in weeks: 12.6
Average number of students in class: 11
Average number of hours of language tuition per week: 22.5
% of students who found out about their course through an agent: 41
% of students who booked through an agent or adviser: 50
% of students who had been on another language programme: 29
% of students who would recommend their school: 88
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| Respondents by world region of origin |
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Top nationalities |
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1. Asia 46%
2. Latin America 29%
3. Western Europe 14%
4. C&E Europe 3%
4. Africa 3%
Unknown 5%
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1. Korean 14%
2. Chinese 11%
3. Japanese 10%
3. Mexican 10%
5. Saudi Arabian 8%
6. Colombian 6%
7. Brazilian 5%
7. Venezuelan 5%
9. Swiss 4%
10.Spanish 3%
10.German 3%
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| In my class there are... |
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How easy is it to practise your language skills with native speakers? |
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1. The right number of students (48%)
2. Too many students who speak my language (19%)
3. Too many students from one other country (18%)
4. Too many students (10%)
Unknown 5%
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1 Very easy (40%)
2. Quite hard (37%)
3. Quite easy (16%)
4. Very hard (6%)
Unknown 1% |
| How did you find your programme? |
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Did you book your course through an agent or an educational adviser?
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1. Recommended by an agent (41%)
2. Recommended by a friend/relative (31%)
3. I found it on the Internet (24%)
4. I saw it advertised (2%)
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Yes (50%)
No (42%)
Unknown (8%)
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Student reasons for school selection included:
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“It has a good mix of school [classes] and activities”
“They keep a well-balanced mix of nationalities”
“They offer the best option of payment”
“Tuition was cheaper than at many other schools”
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| Before looking for your course, did you know where you wanted to study? |
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Country
Yes (81%)
No (14%)
Unknown (5%)
City/town
Yes (65%)
No (30%)
Unknown (5%)
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School
Yes (40%)
No (54%)
Unknown (6%)
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Student nationality
While Koreans again made up the largest single nationality at the English language centres in Canada that took part in this issue’s Feedback survey, Japanese students – who last year were in joint first place with Koreans – had slumped into third place this year, with a 10 per cent market share (see LTM December 2008 pages 20-21). In second place this year, with an 11 per cent market share, were Chinese students, who were noticeably absent from last year’s line up. Asia’s combined share was up by eight percentage points this year to 46 per cent. In contrast, Western European numbers were lower, accounting for only 14 per cent in comparison with 24 per cent last year. Looking at individual market share, German, Swiss and Spanish numbers were all down by four or five percentage points each.
Student motivation
Just over 60 per cent of students were 25 years old or under, and 52 per cent were university or high school students. Although those currently in employment (either business people, professionals or teachers) accounted for only 26 per cent of our respondents, 39 per cent of all respondents said they would use their English for their current or future work. This was, however, down from 50 per cent last year. Instead, a higher proportion were learning English for their further studies in Canada – up from 12 per cent last year to 29 per cent in this issue’s survey. This was certainly boosted by the higher numbers from China, as within this nationality group alone, 60 per cent of students were going on to further studies in Canada.
Student enrolment
Personal endorsement of schools by a friend, relation or agent played an important role in influencing students in their choice. Thirty-one per cent of students said they first heard of their school from a friend or relative while 41 per cent said they had been informed of the school by an agent. The Internet played a relatively small role in the recruitment of students, with only 24 per cent of students saying they had found the school by browsing the Internet. A similar proportion of students booked their course through an agent as they did last year (50 per cent).
Standard of the schools
The number of students in a class ranged from three to 20, averaging out at 11. Ten per cent of our respondents agreed that there were too many students in their class; interestingly, they were in classes of 14 or more students. An additional 19 per cent agreed that there were too many students who spoke their own language. This included 54 per cent of our Korean respondents and 30 per cent of Chinese. Being in classes with lots of their compatriots did seem to tarnish some students’ language travel experience. Of the 14 per cent who said they would not recommend their school to others, 64 per cent had been dissatisfied with the nationality make up of their class. However, overall, 48 per cent indicated they were satisfied with the size and nationality mix of their classes, and 88 per cent said they would recommend to others.
Living in Canada
On average, students were paying CAN$439 (US$409) for a course plus accommodation per week, and 66 per cent of students found the cost of living to be higher than at home. The language, people and countryside were rated highly among things students most liked about Canada.
Thank you to the following schools for participating in our survey: ABC ESL Canada, Mississauga, ON; ACCESS International English Language Centre, Toronto, ON; Berlitz Canada, Vancouver, BC; Bow Valley College, Calgary, AB; Canadian Language Learning College, Halifax, NS; College Platon, Montreal, QC; English Language Institute (UBC), Vancouver, BC; Four Corners Language Institute, Victoria, BC; GEOS Language Academy, Montreal, QC; Global Village, various; Heartland International English School, Winnipeg, MB; International Language School YMCA, Montreal, QC; International Language Schools of Canada (ILSC), Vancouver, BC; ITTTI, Vancouver, BC; POINT3, Montreal, QC; Vancouver English Centre, Vancouver, BC.
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Contact any advertiser in the this issue now
The following language schools, associations and accommodation providers advertised in the latest edition of Language Travel Magazine. If you would like more information on any of these advertisers, tick the relevant boxes, fill out your details and send.
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