NZ numbers plummet

International student numbers in New Zealand took a tumble in 2005 with figures recording a decline of almost 10,000 students from January to August, in comparison with the corresponding period in 2004, according to New Zealand's Ministry of Education. Across all areas of the industry, the English language teaching (ELT) sector was the hardest hit.

The figures backed up the assertions of many schools that the operating environment is increasingly dire, and further figures revealed a loss in income of close to a third across the ELT sector. "We remain deeply concerned at the impact that this decline is having upon education exporters," said Robert Stevens, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand. "There are a number of reasons for the decline: changing requirements from students, the [high rate of the] Kiwi dollar, rapidly increasing global competition and more in-country delivery in key markets."

Stevens said that Education New Zealand was pushing for better market research to help education institutions of all kinds promote and develop products for their international markets. Other measures taken will include a focus on consistent student immigration policy. "These are macro measures that can support institutional efforts to retain and rebuild market share alongside [institutions'] own investment and efforts," he said.

Figures relating to all education sectors revealed a broad dependence on Chinese students, who represented 41.4 per cent of the total market share. They were followed by Korean and Japanese students. Chinese recruitment has also been hard hit, however, despite its continued importance, and New Zealand Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, announced last year that he wanted to encourage more Chinese students to come to the country.

Speaking ahead of a visit to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum, Peters said he would be discussing the rapid drop in Chinese numbers with officials from the country. According to Statistics New Zealand, there was a 35 per cent decrease in long-term arrivals from China in the year ending October 2005.

The Association of Private Providers of English Language (Appel) welcomed Peters' comments. "The drop in the Chinese market has been very difficult, especially since it coincided with a rising dollar that has reduced demand in other markets," said Frances Woolcott, Appel Chairperson. "We hope to work with Peters and other ministers to find useful approaches to boosting demand."

Acpet plays key role in forum in China

Don Quijote, which has seven schools in Spain and one in Mexico, three associate schools and offices in the UK and Netherlands, was owned by René de Jong and his sister, Marianne de Jong. Ms de Jong will stay on as Manager of the Don Quijote schools. Mr de Jong will help oversee the transition for some months and then concentrate on his business, Internet Advantage, and other Internet interests – a business sector he said he was passionate about. He told Language Travel Magazine that it was with mixed feelings that he sold the company he set up 19 years ago. But he added, "Don Quijote is now in the hands of Enforex which has a much larger capital base than we did. They can do things I would have loved to have done but lacked the means. The potential of Don Quijote is better used in this situation." He acknowledged that Anadon – only 35 years old – was very entrepreneurial "which is a very nice added benefit".

Enforex, with the purchase of Don Quijote, now has 28 teaching centres in Spain and Latin America and an estimated turnover of e40 million (US$47 million), teaching more than 35,000 students annually. Enforex already had a strong presence in Latin America, with schools in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru. Anadon was keen to emphasise that the company would remain focused on its agent partners. "Ninety-five per cent of our business has been with agencies and it will stay that way," he said, underlining that the newly enlarged group would be able to help and support agencies more than ever and produce new tools for them. He said the response from current agent partners to news of the deal had been very positive. "People look at our [track record] and they are confident," he said.

Anadon promised expansion in the near future, with the Don Quijote brand set to expand in Latin America.

Canada has overhauled its immigration system and is investing an additional CAN$700 million (US$601 million) to reduce the backlog of applications and attract more immigrants. Those applicants with Canadian experience or a Canadian education will be able to apply for permanent resident status under a new scheme known as "In-Canada Economic Stream".

"Today's announcement is an important step forward towards fixing and improving the immigration system," said Immigration Minister, Joe Volpe, who last year indicated he would seek to enhance immigration routes to the country (see Language Travel Magazine, December 2005, page 7). "By beginning to reduce the number of outstanding applications and moving to actively recruit those who best meet Canada's labour market needs – such as temporary foreign workers and international students already in Canada – we will build on the improvements already underway," he said.

Volpe said the switch to permanent residency would be a smooth transition for applicants – who have to spend a minimum period of time in Canada – and talked of a "proactive and responsive" visa system. The immigration department expects 5,000 additional students per year and 11,000 temporary foreign workers to apply to reside in Canada permanently. Other ways in which the funding will be used will be to improve visa-processing times. Additional funding has already been granted to set up a "Going to Canada" web portal and improved settlement services too.

Meanwhile, Australia has agreed a Work and Holiday Visa deal with Turkey, allowing university-trained candidates of either nationality to work in the other country for up to 12 months. The scheme is different to the Working Holiday Maker scheme, because candidates from Turkey, who must be under 30 years old, need the support of their government and to have some ability in English.

MEI~Relsa's study kit for key Asian markets

The photocopiable book and CD, Exploring Ireland, is being distributed to high schools and high school teachers in both countries via English teachers' associations and networks. Brian Burns, Manager of MEI~Relsa, said hundreds of high school classrooms would now be using the resource.

"Over the past five to 10 years, MEI~Relsa has been eager to increase its market share in countries like Korea and Japan," Burns explained. "One of the main obstacles to this has been the lack of awareness in each country of Ireland as a study abroad destination. MEI~Relsa members felt that we needed to target our future clients in these countries at an earlier stage."

The 104-page book explains, in separate units, about areas of interest such as Irish literature, history, sport, dance and food. The accompanying CD features stories, music and Irish people talking about their life. "We wanted to see more students coming to agents saying 'I'd like to study in Ireland'," explained Burns, who said that initial response to the book had been very positive.

"Agents were highly impressed by the amount of work and funds we had invested," he said, noting that the project was funded by the Irish government. "It demonstrates clearly that member schools represent quality, stability and true commitment to the Korean and Japanese markets."

AMIE is born

in Mexico

A group of nine Spanish language schools in Mexico, some with more than one teaching centre, has grouped together to form the Asociacion Mexicana de Institutos de Español (Amie). The association was legally constituted in August last year and represents 12 different states in Mexico. Its aim is to promote Spanish language teaching and associated cultural programmes in Mexico.

Harriet Guerrer, President of the association, told Language Travel Magazine, "All of us offer strong complementary programmes [with language tuition]. So we focus on Mexican culture and history as well. Our aim is definitely to grow."

US think tank pushes study abroad

A US think tank has submitted a report to Congress calling for US$50 million in funding to help encourage Americans to take up international exchange opportunities. Citing the phrase, "What nations don't know can hurt them", the USA's Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Programme has submitted its plans for funding over a number of years, to promote study abroad nationally and via support grants for students, until funding reaches US$125 million annually.

The ultimate goal of the commission is to see one million students study abroad annually by 2017 – half the number of students who currently earn undergraduate degrees each year in the USA. "Study abroad is not a frill," said Chairperson of the group, M Peter McPherson. "Greater engagement of American undergraduates with the world around them is vital to our nation's national security, economic competitiveness and public diplomacy. The only way we will reach this goal is if we invest in this fellowship programme now."

The fellowship programme is the recommended system of grants that would be available for overseas study, awarded dependent on financial need and the length of an intended placement overseas.