OISE's second buyout in Canada

"A large part of the school [business] in Montréal is teaching French," said Gins. "It';s really nice to be in the school and have one classroom teaching French and another teaching English."

The takeover of the Centre Linguista schools complements the recent purchase of a school in Vancouver – Hawthorn Vancouver, now trading under its original name, Canada Language Centre (see Language Travel Magazine, September 2006, page 6). Gins said that it was likely that all four schools would operate under a CLC brand – Centre Linguista Canada joining the school in Vancouver to be marketed as a small Canadian group.

OISE is renowned for buying older, well established language schools and continuing to operate them under their existing brand. This is in addition to 10 OISE-named schools.

Gins said the latest purchase, which sees Keefe stay on in his position as director, meant the company was in a strong position to build its Canadian business further. "This [latest acquisition] really consolidates our determination to be active in specific markets and languages," he said. "Until now, we';ve been really strong in the UK and for the first time, this consolidates the group in another country. We now have a strong and much more professional infrastructure."

Keefe, who is selling his business in order to retire, added that Gins'; French background "was an added plus" when he was looking for an international partner. "We are an important supplier of French language training to international students, corporate and government clients in Canada," he said. "I was also impressed with OISE';s history. They have a great track record in successfully growing through acquisition."

The OISE Group started in Oxford, the first school name originally being Oxford Intensive School of English.

NZ Minister gives industry new agenda

Education New Zealand held its annual conference in August in Auckland, and the event was addressed by the Tertiary Education Minister, Michael Cullen, who outlined a new agenda for international education in the country.

Despite the English language sector having performed badly in the last few years, and an overall decline in international student intake, Cullen noted that overall, the sector contributed an estimated NZ$2 billion (US$1.3 billion) a year in revenue – a figure he would like to see increased to NZ$2.5 billion (US$1.6 billion) within five years. "We live in a world that is hungry for education," he told delegates at the conference. "I firmly believe that New Zealand can meet some of that demand and establish itself as a premier provider in a number of high value niches."

He said a new agenda was needed, however, to counteract the recent decline in numbers (see Education Travel Magazine, page 64). Ministerial missions to north Asia and northern Europe next year were also outlined and Cullen said the idea of expanding current scholarship schemes would also be investigated.

To achieve his agenda, Cullen called for a better international understanding, specifically of Asia, to be fostered through national curriculums and the teaching of second languages to be strengthened (see story, left). He noted that attention to the pastoral care for international students code of practice – which is being evaluated currently – was imperative and that government would coordinate with the sector to ensure this happens.

Generic marketing work is undertaken by Education New Zealand; which is on frosty terms with elements of the English language teaching sector, because of a perceived focus primarily on tertiary providers of international education. There has also been anger in the ELT industry since the introduction of the education export levy (see Language Travel Magazine, July 2004, page 6), which taxes all schools and uses the funds for generic purposes.

International speakers attended the conference from the USA, South Africa, China, New Zealand and Fiji. "Their interest in and discussions with the Australian private education sector are a testament to the growing acknowledgement that we are an important player on the global map," said Rosen.

closer, the two organisations have now merged to form one mighty acronym – the World Youth Student and Education Travel Confederation (WYSETC).

David Jones, previously Director General of ISTC, assumes the role of Director General of the group. He said, "The confederation has a unique opportunity to build the combined experience and leadership positions of Fiyto and ISTC into a global force that can provide representation and product innovation that meets the increasingly diverse and demanding ambitions of today';s young travellers."

There are a number of sector associations that now fit under the group';s umbrella, such as the Association of Language Travel Organisations (Alto). Another new group joins the special interest associations this year, for youth accommodation providers. An eight-person executive committee and Chairperson for WYSETC was due to be elected in October during WYSTC at the time of going to press.

New Zealand pushes language learning

Following in the footsteps of many other countries, New Zealand';s Education Minister, Steve Maharey, is putting language learning on the agenda. However, he is not recommending compulsory language learning, but introduced a requirement for high schools in the country to make language learning classes available to pupils in years seven to 10.

His draft curriculum is expected to be adopted from September 2007. Maharey said, "The curriculum sets out the core values that go with our education system. Education is one of the main ways that people learn to be part of our society. It is therefore important that we are clear about the values we want to see in our schools and throughout our society."

Canada in bid to attract French speakers

The Canadian government has launched a plan to attract more Francophone settlers, particularly students and economic class migrants. Monte Solberg, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, together with Minister Josée Verner, responsible for Francophone Minority Communities, unveiled the strategic plan in September.

It specifies the outcomes hoped for in regard to recruiting more students, including that 2,000 more foreign students a year are recruited to French language post-secondary institutions outside Quebec. This should be achieved by increasing foreign recruitment capacities; offering additional training for foreign students at institutions; supporting the social integration of foreign students; supporting foreign students in improving their dual language skills; and supporting the economic integration of students in their field of study after their graduation.

In 2001, 3.1 per cent of immigrants to Canada were French-speaking and the aim is to increase this figure to 4.4 per cent to improve Canada';s "linguistic duality", said Verner.