English UK leaves Brighton

Millns claimed, "Students are more and more willing to look to other countries for the best possible educaton. With international colleges and universities joining us, we will further strengthen the fair's position as the leading event worldwide."

The annual event in Brighton went down well with delegates, with some commenting that the event seemed busier than the year before. "It has been busier than usual and it seems better – I have only had one no show," said Steve Phillips of Internexus in London. He added, "I don';t know how I feel about the event moving. There will be so many London language schools there, so the competition for agents [in the evenings] is going to be a lot more stiff."

Agents had mixed opinions about the move, with Liudmyla Rudmieva of Okay Tour and Travel in Ukraine saying that she enjoyed being in Brighton. "This is my ninth time here, I find Brighton more comfortable," she said. But other agencies seemed content with the decision. Pascal Carré of Languages & Travel in France said that he would continue to attend both workshops in early autumn.

This year, a delegation of schools from Scotland, representing a group called Seltic, organised a presentation for agencies complete with bagpipes and a prize of whisky. Meanwhile, Ialc hosted a reception and gave away a free flight to Cape Town, where its workshop will be held next year. The lucky winner was Iwona Kostecka of Lingwista in Poland (pictured with Ialc';s President, David Diplock, left, and Wolfgang Graser of Ialc host school, Good Hope Studies). Aspect organised an evening of virtual horse racing for some of its agents, while other parties included the infamous Cactus and Sprachcaffe bashes.

Magister agency in Russia, who added that the first LTM Star Awards, held during the workshop, was a "gorgeous celebration" (see page 26).

Juan Manuel Elizalde of Kells College in Spain added, "There was a nice and friendly atmosphere, and it was a very professional workshop. This is my ninth one and I will continue coming!"

Educators were also happy with the event, which was back in the venue of the Royal Lancaster Hotel opposite Hyde Park in London this year. "It was the perfect size because you have time to sit down and do real business," related Kevin McNally of Hampstead School of English in the UK. Douglas Upton, representing Boston University in the USA, added, "Postgraduate academics represent a special niche at Alphe. We were very impressed with the quality and sophistication of the agents who approached us."

Agent Organiser, Jessica Mathieu, said she was pleased with the positive feedback and impressed with the high number of agent applications this year, all of whom were reference-checked.

Industry issues - agents speak out

Q. How often do you attend student fairs?

Petra Wagner, Easy Sprachreisen, Germany

"Easy Sprachreisen attends student fairs about four to five times per year. We attend fairs as exhibitors, targeting students who are still studying as well as fairs that are geared towards graduates. University students often have to improve a foreign language as it is requested in their curriculum. They don´t really do it unsolicited and feel under pressure. University graduates (or almost graduates) feel they need to improve their language skills to find the right job. In both cases they help themselves with a language course abroad as it is the most effective option. Student fairs are the best marketplace for a very specific target group. This target group happens to be the future link to companies and thus to new target groups. We also offer to represent language schools at student fairs. This helps schools to be present at the major student fairs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for little money."

David Duque, Language Exchange, Ecuador

"In Langex, Ecuador, our aims at student fairs are not to sell a programme but rather to explain to our clients why they have to travel abroad and what they are gaining by travelling and getting to know another culture and country. We clarify to them that the values they gain are immeasurable, and for this reason we love to participate in fairs. We often participate in two student fairs in Ecuador; the fairs of universities and high-level institutions in Quito and in Guayaquil; these fairs are once per year and clients from all levels of society attend. This year we will try to be represented at more fairs in other cities as exhibitors, but it depends on the public orientation of these fairs."

Kath Bateman, Caledonia Languages, Scotland

"Caledonia does attend student fairs in Scotland when they are hosted by local universities but we have not been to international student fairs to date. We attend other fairs on a regular basis, such as the Language Show in London, where the public is more varied. We tend to concentrate our efforts to sell direct to the market on visits to schools, universities and local language schools."

Natalia Sagaidak, Language Academy, Russia

"We attend student fairs once or twice a year. The fairs are mostly local events, which we attend as an exhibitor. Our main goal at a student fair is to present educational programmes to our potential customers. Besides, taking part in such events lets us know about current students'; needs. For example, participating in one fair last year, we found out that the interest in studying oriental languages is constantly growing. As a result, we have developed a new programme – studying Chinese in China. Nowadays, this programme is in great demand. So, I would say that students fairs are rather useful for our business."

Stéphane Tavernier, La Ligue de l';enseignement, France

"The main national event we attend is Le Salon de l';éducation every November; this is a huge event and we are one of the co-organisers. Our regional branches also attend smaller regional fairs. The advantage of these events is they are often associated with quality schemes, and parents are then already half-convinced that we are the right organisation for their children';s language programmes."

In a series appearing each month in Language Travel Magazine, we ask a different language teaching institution to nominate one of their preferred agencies or agent partners, and to explain why this person/company is worthy of their nomination.

This month, Internexus London in the UK, nominates Yazigi Travel in Brazil. Steve Phillips, Director of the school, explains this decision.

"Internexus in London has been working with Yazigi Travel for many years, in fact it was the first agency to send us students on a regular basis. The most impressive aspect of Yazigi Travel is the time and energy the company puts into its students'; welfare and satisfaction. Its students who are sent to London are all very complimentary regarding the way the agency works, I know many of them recommend Yazigi Travel services and, in fact, use them again year after year.

I have experienced first-hand how professional the agency is and my trips to its offices in Brazil have been my most enjoyable and rewarding. Yazigi Travel has many experienced agents working for the company in most major cities and towns in Brazil, it is incredibly accessible to students, and staff always seem to find time to help their customers whether it';s just an enquiry or a seemingly minor problem. Finally, Yazigi has a very informative website which offers promotions and competitions to students, offering them the best possible deals."

Neil Harris has joined Excel English in London, UK, as Business Development Manager. Working with the school';s Principal, Judy Loren, he will be involved in the promotion of new courses as well as the development of relationships with agents, mainly in Western Europe. Mr Harris is delighted to be working with this Quality English school.

Stan Cahill is the new Senior Director for Marketing and Enrolments for Presidential Classroom in Alexandria, VA in the USA. Presidential Classroom brings thousands of high-achieving students from around the world to Washington, DC, for week-long conferences on civics and leadership.

Frederic Parrilla has recently joined CLIC-International House Seville in Spain as Head of Marketing. For the past few years, he has been working in the field of training and cooperation for the European Commission. He previously worked marketing Spanish as a Foreign Language and languages studies abroad. His main objectives in his new role are to promote the quality and efficiency of CLIC-IH Seville and to contribute to the development of emerging international markets.

Emma Carter has joined the Leicester Square School of English in London, UK, as Marketing Manager. Prior to this role, Ms Carter worked for Sense, working with blind, deaf or the severely disabled. She said, "The students and staff are all vibrant characters here, which makes being part of this school a real pleasure."

Gabrielle Sienna Collingwood is the newest addition to Canada';s language training industry; born to Matt Collingwood and Tamsin Plaxton of Tamwood International College on August 28. Victor Reginald Schack West (below), son of Jason West of Languages Out There!, based in London, arrived in the world on September 6.

Rod Hayter of MarAnline Formation in France passed away in July. He set up Hexaform Language Training before concentrating on study abroad programmes from his base in Orléans. He leaves his wife Michelle and two daughters and will be remembered by those privileged enough to have worked with him.

The Canada Language Council (CLC) in Canada has been an active advocate for greater government cooperation with the industry sector. The Council';s Executive Director, Jay Jamieson, answers our questions.

Full name: Canada Language Council / Conseil des Langues du Canada
Year established: 1979
Number of members: 114
Type of members:
Universities, colleges and private language schools
Association';s main role:
Promotion of quality and standards in language training
Government recognition: Yes
Code of practice: Yes
Complaints procedure: Yes
Agent workshops/fam trips: In planning
Contact details:
Canada Language Council
PO Box 53063, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1C5, Canada.
Tel: +1 902 423 8600 Fax: +1 902 823 1333
Email: info@c-l-c.ca Web: www.c-l-c.ca

What has CLC been up to in the last year?
The Council has experienced yet another busy and successful year as we seek to provide support to the language industry in Canada. CLC has been active on committees such as the Advisory Committee for Immigrant Services in Canada, where our representation on matters pertaining to language training is critical. In February, the CLC hosted our annual conference in Victoria. In March, the CLC had a display booth at ExpoEstudiante in Brazil and in May, the Council actively participated in the Canada Booth sponsored by Industry Canada at the Nafsa Conference in Montreal, Quebec. This encouraged institutional and organisational representatives from around the world to gain a deeper understanding about standards of quality for language training in Canada.

How is the government involved in the industry?
Industry Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada is very active in the language training industry. The government acknowledges that the industry represents a significant benefit to Canada given that language training specialists serve approximately 12 per cent of world demand and generate around CAN$450 million (US$408 million) in revenue.

Have CLC members benefited from new student work rights?
The legislation pertaining to off-campus work permits currently provides work opportunities for foreign students in publicly-funded post-secondary institutions. While many members of CLC fall into this category, CLC continues to monitor the legislation and acts in an advocacy position that might extend legislation to cover other categories of students.

What are CLC';s plans for next year?
The Council will continue its efforts to strengthen the reputation and credibility of Canada';s language training industry. We will continue to forge ahead with strategic alliances with other Canadian educational organisations at the federal and provincial levels.

Grapevine

School association, Feltom, in Malta organised another quick fam trip of their country following the English UK event in Brighton this year. Isabella Conti, Executive Secretary of Feltom, said that the 15 agents they took to Malta got on very well together and appreciated the chance to see the country first-hand. "I am pleased to report that it was once again a big success," she said.

CES/Swandean School in the UK has opened new school premises in Wimbledon, London, boasting a large student common room and outside patio area for those rare days of sun (joking). Here, pictured left is Justin Quinn of CES Swandean with Stephen Hammond, Shadow Minister for Transport.


Shaun Wellbourne-Wood from UWA in Perth, Australia was the lucky winner of our prize offered to all voters in our LTM Star Awards 2006. One part of his prize was a champagne flight for two on the British Airways London Eye, the world';s tallest observation wheel. He said, "The London Eye has an amazing view over one of the world';s greatest cities... completed with clinking glasses and great champagne!"


The Alphe UK and English UK workshops were a combination of business and socialising and, of course, we bring you some selected highlights from the serious business of socialising: