Students jailed in US for visa violation

The National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (Nseers) requires all men over the age of 16 from listed countries to register at their local Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS) office to be fingerprinted, photographed and questioned. The men were arrested when INS officers found them to have violated their visa status by, in some cases, under-attending classes at the institutions in which they had enrolled.

According to Jorge Martinez, a spokesperson with the Department of Justice in Washington DC, 400 people had been detained in California related to suspected immigration violations, although all but 20 were released after background and name checks. In Colorado, six students were reported to have been detained until they posted bail of US$5,000.

Chris Johnson, Director of International Education at the University of Colorado at Denver, said, 'We're concerned about the heavy handed nature of the enforcement. Students are being detained unfairly and callously.' Mark Hallett, Director of International Student Services at Colorado State University, added, 'I don't believe this is helping us with the war on terrorism. We're alienating people who could be our best friends and ambassadors once they return [home].'

The US government ordered men from the countries of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya and Sudan to register by December 16 and gave a deadline of January 10 for nationals of the United Arab Emirates, North Korea, Morocco, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Eritrea, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Tunisia and Yemen. Pakistanis and Saudi Arabians were required to register by February 21 and more deadlines will follow, with the ultimate aim being the tracking of all foreign nationals by 2005.

Hallett pointed out that if a student chose to drop a course from now on, 'they have to make sure they have legitimate documentation with them' to prove their status is still valid. Studying for less than 12 hours a week is only permissible for certain academic or medical reasons.

Terry Hartle at the American Council on Education said, 'Immigration laws will be enforced more than ever. Officials have to know the rules and follow them to the letter.'

The competition for international students shows no signs of abating, as Australia launches its brand image designed to increase its market share. Following in the footsteps of New Zealand, which launched a cohesive brand strategy under the mynzed.com banner, and the UK, which developed the Education UK brand, Australia has unveiled its new marketing strategy - with a distinctive Study in Australia logo that will soon distinguish Australian products in the marketplace.

'The new brand has been developed to build Australia's position as a leading provider of education and training,' explained Brendan Nelson, Minister for Education, Science and Training. 'The design features a stylised logo to appeal to diverse markets and carries the messages: 'Explore the Possibilities', 'Challenge Yourself' and 'Your Future, Your World'.

Nelson pointed out that Australia's education and training industry is the country's third-largest services export worth around AUS$5 billion (US$2.9 billion) to the country's economy - more than Australia's wool trade. 'It is a major contributor to tourism income,' he said. 'Each student studying in Australia has on average four visits from family [members] during their stay.'

The brand's look is the result of a comprehensive research project undertaken by Australian Education International (AEI), with input from a range of industry representatives. Research was carried out in more than 20 countries including Brazil, the Czech Republic, Germany, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. The visual interpretation of the kangaroo logo was tested with students in all sectors. The Australian Council for Private Education & Training (Acpet), which participated in the project, said students thought the logo represented 'a rich mix of serious and high quality study, interactive teaching, innovative thinking and opportunities for fun experiences'.

The brand will be available to all international education providers for use on their promotional materials and it is also highlighted at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au.

Sue Blundell, Executive Director at English Australia, who was on the brand's advisory committee, welcomed a clearly focused 'umbrella' brand for Australia. 'It is quite distinctive and forward looking,' she said. 'I think it will excite students.'

Despite plans to allow UK schoolchildren to stop studying a foreign language at 14 if they desire, the British government has unveiled its national languages strategy that promotes language study for all at primary level.

Every seven-to-11 year old will have the chance to study another European language by the end of this decade, said UK Education Secretary, Charles Clarke, and language teaching assistants will be drafted in from businesses, universities and local communities to make up for a lack of qualified teachers.

'We can no longer continue to stick our heads in the sand and ignore the importance of language learning,' said Clarke. 'Nor can we hide behind the predominance of the English language.'

The minister pointed out that a new approach to language teaching in schools was needed, involving children at a primary level and improving tuition in the early years of secondary education. 'Compelling 14-to-16 year olds to learn a language will not keep language learning alive,' he said. 'We need to involve children at a much younger age.'

A new National Director of Languages is to be appointed and new proficiency tests are to be introduced that will form a ladder of recognition from beginners to GCSE and A-level standard.

Language learning will also be promoted via virtual language communities, school twinning and email exchange. The first primary language classes are expected to begin this year.

The number of cantons in Switzerland teaching English as the first foreign language in primary schools, as opposed to the traditional option of French, is growing, according to news agency Swissinfo, despite initial protests when the canton of Zurich set the precedent (see Language Travel Magazine, January 2001, page 6).

In addition, private bilingual schools, offering tuition in German and English, are finding themselves over-subscribed, as parents are keen to make sure their children get a head start in English language comprehension.

In contrast, in Saudi Arabia, plans to begin English language tuition at the age of 10 in the coming academic year have been indefinitely delayed because of opposition to the move from religious factions.

The proposal met criticism because of concerns that studying English would mean less time for students to master classical Arabic. At present, students study English from the age of 13.

With the issue of child safety increasingly under scrutiny, the British Council has published a set of best practice guidelines for accredited schools in the UK. They explain which British laws can apply to institutions or host families that have children in their charge, and advise codes of practice, such as checking the records of host families against the Criminal Records Bureau.

The guidelines were produced with the Department of Health, the National Care Standards Commission and the Criminal Records Bureau. John Shackleton at the British Council explained, 'This is an extremely important area and we felt that we needed to take responsibility to clarify the situation.'

He said that schools had prompted the production of the guidelines, as there was a certain amount of confusion about how legislation affected them. Changes to the English in Britain Accreditation scheme are expected in 2004, after consultation with the membership.

Tourism officials based in the Chinese capital, Beijing, have decided to root out all examples of badly spelt English on signs in public places to avoid confusion for tourists.

Anyone who comes across a confusing translation at one of 60 key tourist sites is encouraged to phone a hotline to report it, and a panel of English professors and expatriates will be evaluating the reported offences.

'There are many 'Chinglish' words on road signs, public notices, menus and signs describing scenic spots, which often puzzle foreigners,' said Xiong Yumei at the Beijing Tourism Bureau. Examples include signs pointing to 'Collecting money toilets'.