English Language Courses in South West England
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Language Students Key for South West
English language students contributed around £61m to the South Western economy last year, according to new figures.
The region is a popular destination for international students, with a range of high-quality language schools.
“I don’t think people realise how much money students bring in, and it’s good to get this information out there,” said Margie Barker, director of the Totnes School of English.
Most of the region’s language schools, including Totnes, operate on a year-round basis. Not only do they provide permanent and some seasonal employment of language teachers and administrative staff, but income for families who host the students.
The total also includes student spending on travel, socialising and on personal shopping. Anecdotal evidence suggests that students have been spending even more whilst staying in the UK this year because of the exchange rate.
“I think business has generally been good in the South West this summer despite nervousness about the economy”, said Ms Barker. Accredited schools in the area have recently formed a new association, English UK South West, to improve their marketing and attract more students.
“What we’re missing in the SW is perhaps a joined up approach to tourists coming in. I don’t think there’s an understanding of how much we bring to the economy,” she said. “Language schools are not always included in planning initiatives and I think local tourist authorities would be well advised to contact their local language schools to tell them what’s going on, so that we can work out ways of working together to bring students to the area.”
The figures were compiled by language teaching association English UK using annual returns from its member schools. Nationally, the industry is believed to bring around £1.5bn into the national economy each year.
“International education is one of the UK’s top five export industries, and has been growing strongly in recent years, based on the excellent reputation of our universities, colleges and language schools,” said Tony Millns, chief executive of English UK.
“These figures show how important international students are to local economies in the UK. They spend money not just on their course fees, but in local shops, pubs, leisure centres and visitor attractions, and on their accommodation, often with local families.
“Their friends and parents may come to visit them while they are studying here, and they take presents home. All this contributes to UK taxes and jobs. We hope that every student will be made to feel welcome here – because these days, they can just as easily go to learn English in the USA, Canada or Australia.’
Schools in Devon were the largest contributor to the region’s total, bringing almost £36m worth of business. Somerset and Bath and NE Somerset each contributed around £12.5m.
Susan Young - English UK Press Release (24/09/09)
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