șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor Articles about Junior Market /category/language-learning-2/junior-market/ șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor is a business development and market intelligence resource providing international education industry news and research. Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:30:04 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-LOGO_2022_FLAVICON-2-32x32.png șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor Articles about Junior Market /category/language-learning-2/junior-market/ 32 32 Japan: Greater availability of in-country English programmes is exerting some downward pressure on outbound mobility /2026/05/japan-greater-availability-of-in-country-english-programmes-is-exerting-some-downward-pressure-on-outbound-mobility/ Thu, 28 May 2026 14:14:18 +0000 /?p=47670 Nearly 170,000 Japanese students studied abroad using one of 41 service providers in Japan in 2025, with the vast majority choosing to do so via group tours or educational study trips. The data comes from the JAOS Research Institute and is based on a survey in 2025 of 41 of its members. Unlike data from…

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Nearly 170,000 Japanese students studied abroad using one of 41 service providers in Japan in 2025, with the vast majority choosing to do so via group tours or educational study trips.

The data comes from the JAOS Research Institute and is based on a survey in 2025 of 41 of its members. Unlike data from Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) and the Japanese government (MEXT), which focuses primarily on degree-seeking and/or exchange students, JAOS’s survey broadens the focus to include working professionals and K-12 students. In doing so, it rounds out the JASSO and MEXT numbers for a comprehensive understanding of Japanese student mobility.

The government target for outbound mobility is to have 500,000 Japanese students studying abroad by 2033. There has been progress towards this goal, and group-based educational travel – versus individual travel – is the main reason for this.

Group travel is on the rise, individual outbound is down

Collectively, the 41 service providers surveyed sent 168,930 students abroad in 2025, of whom 138,420 went for “Overseas Educational Travel” (e.g., group tours and study trips). The remainder (30,510) opted for going abroad on their own to study in a language school, participate in a working holiday, or pursue a degree.

Two trends emerged in 2025: educational travel is becoming a more popular option in Japan (82% of the market), while significantly fewer students are going abroad for individual studies (-43.5% in 2025 compared with 2024).

This decline, says JAOS, is largely due to two reasons:

  • Students no longer have to study abroad to learn English. This has turned into an option rather than a need because the International Baccalaureate (IB) as well as Cambridge International programmes are now widely available in Japanese schools.
  • Dual diploma programmes and foundation courses are now common in the country, and so students can prepare for foreign degrees at home before travelling abroad.

JAOS notes: “These options have turned study abroad into a diverse path rather than a simple binary choice of ‘going or staying.’

A younger crowd

Students from junior high schools, high schools, and local governments made up 85% of the education travel segment for JAOS member schools in 2025, with the remainder from universities and vocational schools.

Top destinations overall

Australia is the favoured destination, followed by Taiwan and the US (Chart 1). Significant numbers of students also travel to Singapore, the UK, Canada, the Philippines, New Zealand, South Korea, and Malaysia.

Of Australia’s draw, JAOS says:

“Australia’s popularity is attributed to the widespread availability of Japanese language education and a school calendar that aligns well with Japanese travel seasons. It is also viewed as a stable and safe English-speaking alternative to the USA amidst policy uncertainties and safety concerns.”

The survey also found rising interest in Asian destinations including Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, and Malaysia. Reasons for this, says JAOS, include “proximity, lower costs, and the availability of English-taught programmes at international branch campuses.” The association adds that students are aware of tightened international student policies in Canada and Australia and of the anti-immigration rhetoric of the current US administration. These conditions are also propelling Asia’s rise in popularity among Japanese students.

Chart 1: Top 10 destinations for Japanese students in 2025. Source: JAOS

Destination preferences across different market segments

For educational travel, there are distinct preferences depending on students’ age (Chart 2). Among younger students – a much larger sample segment than university/vocational students – Taiwan and Australia are where the largest numbers study. University and vocational students are more spread out across destinations for educational travel, with Australia, the UK, and US in the top three positions

Chart 2: Top destinations for educational travel, by segment. Source: JAOS

As for Japanese students going abroad on their own (Chart 3), most are language students (65%) who enrol in programmes of under three months. The next-largest segment (16%) is also language-focused, but for studies lasting for longer than three months. Just under 9% are high-school students.

New Zealand is the main draw for junior high and high-school students participating in private or exchange programmes rather than language-specific programmes, commanding 54.5% of this niche market. Canada and Australia round out the top three, and JAOS says all three countries have good reputations for providing strong student supports – which is of course very important for younger students.

Chart 3: Purposes of Japanese students going abroad (excluding group travel). Source: JAOS

Other factors influencing Japanese student mobility

Affordability is ever-more a concern in Japan. The yen has been weak against the US dollar for months, making travel to many destinations more expensive. And, as in Europe, Japan is facing inflationary pressures due to the US–Israel/Iran war and its effect on oil supply and prices. Costs are rising, household purchasing power is eroding, and consumer confidence is fragile. More affordable Asian and EU destinations are increasingly appealing in this context.

Students also have more reason than ever to remain in Japan for university studies. Japan has an exceptionally low youth unemployment rate (3.9% in 2025), thanks in large part to its rapidly ageing population. This demographic shift is the main reason that young Japanese have excellent job prospects right out of university, in contrast to recent graduates in many other countries. There are widespread skills shortages across the Japanese economy, creating a strong position for young Japanese graduates to not only to land a desirable job, but also to negotiate salaries and positions.

Despite these trends, there is enduring motivation for Japanese students to go abroad both for English-language and degree studies. Speaking with the last year, Tatsuhiko Hoshino, an international relations officer at (JAOS) said:

“Many Japanese people feel both admiration and a sense of inferiority when it comes to acquiring English proficiency. They keenly recognize that studying English domestically does not sufficiently build their language skills, and as a result, they are strongly motivated to improve their English through studying abroad.”

This suggests that if Japanese students have the option of study abroad for English in particular, they prefer this to study at home. But price sensitivity is increasing due to foreign currency issues and the conflict in the Middle East. Understanding which prospects have become more influenced by the costs of studying and living abroad will be key to remaining competitive in Japan.

For additional background, please see:

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Survey finds “growing pressure” on youth group travel to UK this year /2026/05/survey-finds-growing-pressure-on-youth-group-travel-to-uk-this-year/ Thu, 07 May 2026 19:03:47 +0000 /?p=47493 Findings from a February-March 2026 pulse survey conducted by the British Educational Travel Association (BETA) highlight “growing pressure” on inbound youth travel to the UK this year. The survey gathered responses from 211 international buyers and agents responsible for organising youth group travel to the UK, including school groups, educational tours, and language programmes. Just…

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Findings from a February-March 2026 conducted by the British Educational Travel Association (BETA) highlight “growing pressure” on inbound youth travel to the UK this year.

The survey gathered responses from 211 international buyers and agents responsible for organising youth group travel to the UK, including school groups, educational tours, and language programmes. Just over half (54%) of the responding buyers and agents were located in Europe, with the balance based in non-European “long-haul markets.”

Half of the respondents reported that demand for group travel to the UK is weaker than in 2025, with a similar proportion (56%) indicating that the UK is now harder to sell than in the past. Nearly four in ten (37%) expect bookings to decline in 2026 with only 12% reporting stronger demand relative to 2025.

“While demand has not disappeared,” BETA adds, “the data suggests that conversion is being constrained by a combination of cost pressures and access barriers.”

The respondents referred to rising accommodation, transport, and programme fees in particular, alongside less favourable exchange rates against the British pound. They noted as well the increased administrative burden for schools and group travel organisers, particularly the friction introduced by requirements for visas, electronic travel authorisations (ETAs), and passports in the post-Brexit marketplace.

“Teachers are filling in tons of lists and doing too much paperwork,” said one respondent. “Organising school trips is becoming more time-consuming and complex than it needs to be,” added another.

At the same time, competition is increasing from other destinations in Europe where, in the words of one survey participant, “EU competitors are much cheaper with less strict entry requirements. Another said: “We are losing groups to destinations that are easier to access and more affordable.”

Finally, the survey observed an apparent impact from world events. As BETA explains, “Among responses received before late February, 45% reported weaker demand for 2026. This rose to 55% among those responding after the escalation of geopolitical tensions, indicating a clear impact on confidence and booking behaviour.”

The key factors affecting inbound youth group travel bookings to the UK in 2026. Source: BETA

The survey results also point to levers that would boost the UK’s attractiveness for international youth travel: greater price certainty or improved affordability for group bookings and especially streamlined visa and entry processes and a reduced administrative burden generally.

“What this data shows very clearly is that demand for the UK is still there, but it is becoming harder to convert that demand into bookings,” said BETA Executive Director Emma English. “International partners are telling us they are facing increasing challenges around cost, complexity and confidence.”

“This is a highly organised, group-based market, and small changes in policy or process can have a significant impact on whether a trip goes ahead or not. If we want to remain competitive internationally, we need to ensure the UK is as accessible, affordable and easy to navigate as possible for schools, students and the organisations that support them.”

The significance of that outlook is underscored by ongoing reporting from English UK, which makes it very clear that youth group travel plays a significant role in the ELT sector.

In the most recent full-year reporting (2024), junior students accounted for 62% of English language course enrolments in the UK, and 33% of all student weeks.

For additional background, please see:

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Germany: Outbound language travel grew again in 2024 /2025/04/germany-outbound-language-travel-grew-again-in-2024/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:54:19 +0000 /?p=45457 The 2024 annual report from the German Association of Language Travel Organizers (FDSV) reports continuing growth for the year in outbound language travel. FDSV estimates that there were 53 language travel providers operating in Germany during the year, and that they collectively supported 70,000 students in their language studies abroad. The following market analysis is…

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The 2024 annual report from the German Association of Language Travel Organizers () reports continuing growth for the year in outbound language travel. FDSV estimates that there were 53 language travel providers operating in Germany during the year, and that they collectively supported 70,000 students in their language studies abroad.

The following market analysis is based on an annual survey administered by FDSV in spring 2025. The survey attracted 15 responses from members, representing roughly 28% of the total German market.

The survey findings indicate year-over-year growth of 15% in 2024, with the average language learning trip lasting 10 days at an average cost of €1,376. Germany’s outbound market is split evenly between adult and junior learners. “Overall, the need for language education remains unbroken,” says FDSV. “After the limitations of recent years, many people long to learn not only one language, but to experience it directly on the spot in their natural environment. This development underlines the importance of language travel as a valuable educational and cultural experience.”

Where do they go?

Most adult learners went abroad to study English (42%), with Spanish, which accounted for just over 27% of adult language travel, in second place. In comparison, virtually all junior outbound from Germany (92%) was focused on English study in 2024.

Distribution of German outbound language travel for 2023 and 2024 by age group. Source: FDSV

The UK remains the leading destination for German language learners, and was the destination of choice for 16.5% of adult learners and 73% of juniors. Other top destinations for German students include Ireland and Malta.

Distribution of student destination choice for German language travellers for 2023 and 2024 by age group. Source: FDSV

“A clearly recognisable trend shows that demand is increasingly focusing on European destinations,” adds FDSV. “In addition to shorter travel routes, which are often perceived as more comfortable, the topic of sustainability is also increasingly playing a role. More and more participants are placing emphasis on environmentally conscious travel, making nearby destinations more attractive. This deliberate shift towards more sustainable travel decisions could have an impact on the entire industry in the long run.”

FDSV’s outlook for 2025 highlights that security and economic concerns will continue to have a big impact on German language travel in the year ahead, particularly the war in Ukraine, global economic uncertainty, and the political climate in the United States. “The issue of security plays a central role, especially among young language travellers. Parents carefully consider whether the current security situation allows [the safe] journey of their child,” adds the association.

For additional background, please see:

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Enrolment surges in Spain’s language teaching sector /2025/04/enrolment-surges-in-spains-language-teaching-sector/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:43:02 +0000 /?p=45451 Enrolment in Spanish language schools in Spain has now surged past pre-pandemic levels. The post-COVID recovery really took hold in 2022, at which point student numbers had rebounded by 80% year-over-year. But now the latest enrolment data from FEDELE (FederaciĂłn Española de Escuelas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) reveals that numbers have surged in the…

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Enrolment in Spanish language schools in Spain has now surged past pre-pandemic levels. The post-COVID recovery really took hold in 2022, at which point student numbers had rebounded by 80% year-over-year. But now the latest enrolment data from (Federación Española de Escuelas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) reveals that numbers have surged in the two years since.

As we see in the chart below, enrolment in Spanish language schools grew by just under 40% between 2022 and 2024 to reach a record high of 153,285 students last year.

Student numbers in Spanish language schools, 2013–2024. Source: FEDELE

Even more strikingly, student-week volumes grew by more than 60% over that same period to reach nearly 710,000 weeks in total – a mark that is 36% above the pre-pandemic high point.

Total student weeks reported by Spanish language schools, 2019–2024. Source: FEDELE

“All the effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic can be considered overcome,” notes the FEDELE report. “And record numbers are also achieved with an average of 1,394 students per [FEDELE member school].”

Who are you?

That 2024 enrolment base is divided roughly equally between individual students (48%) and those travelling as part of school groups (52%) – a proportion that aligns closely with pre-pandemic patterns. Most students are between 12 and 18 years old (31%), followed by the 19-to-25-year-old cohort (25%), and then the broader 26-to-45-year-old group (24%).

The largest proportion of students were enrolled in language courses combined with cultural activities in 2024 (36%), with the next most-popular option being programmers for juniors or summer camps (20%).

The major sending markets for Spain’s language sector in 2024 were:

  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • Poland
  • Netherlands
  • Russia
  • Austria
  • Morocco

Overall for 2024, three in four students arrived from Europe, with another 10% coming from North America and 9% from Asia.

An expanding economic footprint but challenges remain

FEDELE estimates the direct economic impact of member schools at €520,120,185 for 2024, or an average of €4 million per school.

Even with that impressive growth and impact in 2024, the FEDELE report sounds a cautionary note as well, adding that: “Although the growth is notable and indicates that the sector is in good health, we believe that some issues, such as visa-related problems, have been a stumbling block for student entry. Furthermore, we are observing the return of digital nomads to their countries of origin and the stagnation of some European Union economies. The price of accommodation also appears to have had a negative influence on the number of students enrolled at our centres.”

For additional background, please see:

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UK ELT reports “new normal” with softer student numbers for key third quarter /2024/12/uk-elt-reports-new-normal-with-softer-student-numbers-for-key-third-quarter/ Wed, 18 Dec 2024 01:11:28 +0000 /?p=44751 The UK’s English-language teaching sector (ELT) may have reached peak business volume in 2019, five years ago. This past summer, student weeks reached 75% of what they were in 2019, down from 81% in the first half of the year, according to the QUIC Q3 2024 report informed by data from 126 English UK member…

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The UK’s English-language teaching sector (ELT) may have reached peak business volume in 2019, five years ago. This past summer, student weeks reached 75% of what they were in 2019, down from 81% in the first half of the year, according to .

English UK’s chief executive, Jodie Gray, believes this level of business may reflect new seasonal norms following the pandemic: “We are considering 2023/2024 as the new normal with figures unlikely to return to pre-pandemic highs or trends.” Ms Gray expects end-of-year 2024 numbers to be about the same as 2023.

Both Junior and Adult sub-sectors were down in summer 2024 versus summer 2023, by 10% and 9%, respectively. The Junior segment now makes up almost half of student weeks, which is the highest ratio – relative to Adult weeks – in the global ELT industry.

A look at student weeks for QUIC ELT reporting centres for the third quarter of 2019, 2023, and 2024. Source: English UK

A smaller overall share of students means more competition

The context for English-language teaching has changed greatly since before the pandemic – and not only for the UK. International students have more access to English-language tutoring and online courses in their own countries, and it has become more difficult for many to travel abroad for education due to costs and visa restrictions in major destinations.

From a policy perspective, the UK is relatively more welcoming to international students in 2024 than competitor destinations Australia and Canada. Ms Gray plans to release a new economic impact assessment for an objective measure of how much the ELT sector contributes to the UK economy:

“We will launch this and our new position paper in Parliament at our 2025 Parliamentary Reception with government officials, media representatives and industry stakeholders. The government can make a huge difference to our success, as recent clampdowns in competitor markets have demonstrated.”

Ms Gray says a change in immigration settings could make a huge difference to the health of the sector, such as “a youth mobility scheme for the whole of the EU and other nations globally 
 [that] would be a game-changer.”

Top sending markets

Nearly a quarter of all student weeks are accounted for by the top 10 markets for UK ELT providers, and the top five sending countries are Saudi Arabia, China, TĂŒrkiye, and Brazil. TĂŒrkiye was up the most of all top sending countries over summer 2023, with 3,280 more weeks, while Italy contributed 7,610 fewer weeks.

Top 10 markets for UK ELT providers, Q3 2024. Source: English UK

For additional background, please see:

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Irish ELT sector continues to exceed pre-pandemic levels of business /2024/03/irish-elt-sector-continues-to-exceed-pre-pandemic-levels-of-business/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 19:09:36 +0000 /?p=42190 The Irish English-language sector continues to expand, with business in 2023 once again surpassing performance before the pandemic, according to Marketing English in Ireland (MEI), the leading association of English-language schools in the country which represents 65 institutions. The positive trend is driving jobs in the sector, with 11.4% more staff employed in various roles…

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The Irish English-language sector continues to expand, with business in 2023 once again surpassing performance before the pandemic, according to (MEI), the leading association of English-language schools in the country which represents 65 institutions.

The positive trend is driving jobs in the sector, with 11.4% more staff employed in various roles than in 2022.

Student numbers and weeks post double-digit growth

Student numbers were up by 23% and weeks increased by 20% in 2023 compared with 2022. A total of 128,300 students were enrolled in MEI last year versus 104,265 in 2022. About 70% (89,200) of those students were from the EU/EEA, with the remainder from non-EU countries.

Student weeks jumped to 899,220 and about three-quarters of those weeks were accounted for by non-EU students on visas (e.g., Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and China) as well as non-EU students who do not require visas (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, South Korea).

Those numbers compare to the 118,320 students enrolled, and 770,760 weeks delivered, in 2019.

Lorcan O’Connor Lloyd, CEO of Marketing English in Ireland (MEI), commented:

“MEI is delighted to see such impressive growth in Ireland’s English Language Education sector, surpassing pre-pandemic figures and welcoming students from around the world. The increase in student numbers, across all programmes and a diverse network of source markets, demonstrates the sector’s resilience and appeal. We are committed to providing exceptional education experiences and look forward to continuing to contribute to the growth and success of Ireland’s international education sector.”

Total number of students (and weeks) for Ireland’s ELT sector in 2023. Source: MEI

Non-EU students tend to stay for longer than European students (not least because their countries are farther away and flights more expensive), with an average of 16 weeks for students from visa-required markets and 17.3 for students from countries where visas are not required.

An increasingly important segment of the market is the “mini-stay” niche – aka “Stage” programmes – which are short-term closed group programmes that often offer learners exciting cultural, recreational, and social opportunities as well as English-language learning. These groups usually consist of students aged 12–16 who come to Ireland off-season. The number of learners in Stage programmes surged from 23,625 in 2022 to 39,845 in 2023 – a 69% increase.

Overall, the number of junior students in Junior, Stage or High School programmes jumped from 51,660 to 65,890, despite a slight decrease in the number of 12–17 years old staying one or two weeks. About 97% of the Junior, Stage, High School business is contributed by EU/EEA students.

Total number of students (and weeks) for Stage, Junior and High School Programmes in Irish ELT sector, 2023. Source: MEI

The Adult sector now enrols over 62,000 students, about 10,000 more than in 2022, and the growth is being driven both by EU and non-EU students. About 4 in 10 adult learners come from within the EU/EEA region, 43% come from countries outside the EU/EEA where no visa is required, and 16% come from non-EU countries where a visa is required. The average stay for adult learners is 11.9 weeks. By far the most popular course is General English.

Total number of students (and weeks) for Adult Programmes in Irish ELT sector, 2023. Source: MEI

Top markets

The top markets in the EU/EEA for Irish English-language schools are:

  • Italy (which together with Spain, accounts for 73% of all students from Europe)
  • Spain
  • France
  • Austria
  • Germany

The top markets in the non-EU/EEA segment where visa is not required are:

  • Brazil (53% of all students in this segment)
  • Mexico
  • Japan
  • Chile
  • Argentina

And the top markets in the non-EU/EEA segment where a visa is required are:

  • Turkey (32% of all students in this segment)
  • Mongolia
  • Bolivia
  • China
  • Ukraine

Significant increases in business came from East Asia, especially from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and Mongolia. Mongolia accounted for 38,935 student weeks all on its own – up from 29,950 in 2022.

For additional background, please see:

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Industry groups call for change as youth bookings for UK remain far below pre-COVID levels /2022/11/industry-groups-call-for-change-as-youth-bookings-for-uk-remain-far-below-pre-covid-levels/ Tue, 22 Nov 2022 22:29:27 +0000 /?p=37432 A survey of more than 80 agents who book junior student groups for summer camps and other ELT programmes in Europe reveals that 83% fewer students in this category came to the UK in the summer of 2022 compared with the summer of 2019. The survey was conducted by the Tourism Alliance, English UK, UKinbound,…

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A survey of more than 80 agents who book junior student groups for summer camps and other ELT programmes in Europe reveals that 83% fewer students in this category came to the UK in the summer of 2022 compared with the summer of 2019.

The survey was conducted by the Tourism Alliance, English UK, UKinbound, and the British Educational Travel Association (BETA), and the agents surveyed are collectively responsible for a significant proportion of all students travelling to the UK as part of a group led by a teacher or supervisor.

The decline is being felt throughout the British economy. Emma English, BETA’s chief executive, estimates the overall pre-COVID value of the youth and student travel market in the UK at £22.6 billion. More than three-quarters of UK language schools are located outside of London, and many are in struggling coastal towns.

Passports are at the root of the problem

Agents said that the main reason for the drop in junior group bookings was the requirement for all students to have a passport – a rule that came into being after Brexit. Many EU students do not have a passport because they live in the Schengen zone (just 35% of students in the key Italian market do, for example); the UK’s requirement in this regard represents a hassle they don’t have to think of if they choose other destinations in the EU. The increased cost of travel to the UK was also an important barrier raised by agents.

Where “10” represented the “most important” barrier and “0” the least, the requirement for students to have passports was the most important barrier of all, followed by costs. Source: the October 2022 survey conducted by the Tourism Alliance, English UK, UKinbound and BETA.

Recovery is underway in other EU destinations

Agents reported smaller declines (-29%) in junior group bookings for Ireland and for other EU destinations (-32%), offering further proof that Brexit-related policies are hampering the ability of ELT providers in the UK to attract junior students and to recover from the business losses of the pandemic. These policies may also lead to the UK’s ELT sector losing share of the EU market through the next several years.
 
Huan Japes, acting joint chief executive of English UK, said that “Another complicating factor is the inclusivity requirement in many schools: if 10% of children cannot join a trip then it won’t go ahead. Putting all these things together, the impact is ‘let’s go elsewhere.’”

Richard Toomer, chief executive of the Tourism Alliance, said: “This is quite a simple policy matter
 these are shocking findings we’re publishing today.”

Proposed: a new youth group travel scheme

To stop the downward trend, the Tourism Alliance and the Tourism Industry Council are urging the government to create a youth group travel scheme in which under-18s could enter the UK as part of a group led by a “passported leader.” This would be a “collective passport” for the group – an arrangement that would be very similar to how things operated before Brexit came to pass. Eligible students would be those who could prove they had a right to live in the EU (i.e., not just EU citizens).

The survey report authors had this to say about any potential risk to the UK that might be posed by such a scheme:

“There are no significant risks associated with developing a Youth Group Travel Scheme. Prior to the UK leaving the EU there was no evidence the List of Travellers Scheme was being abused as a route of entry into the UK. There is no evidence of school children ever being a security risk or leaving their school group to live and work in the UK.”

In 2019, just before the UK exited the EU, younger students made up more than half (54%) of the overall English-language training (ELT) market in the UK. The chart below, depicting 2022 data, shows how much this part of the business has shrunk: yellow reflects adults, while blue is juniors.

The top ten sending markets for UK ELT centres, Q2 2022. Source: English UK/Bonard

Massive economic impact

BETA’s Ms English said the drop in junior youth bookings equated to “£875m in revenue and a potential loss of 14,500 jobs.” The need for a policy intervention is underlined by the fact that just 13% of agents believe that the market will rebound in 2023. This is down from 23% of agents surveyed separately in June 2022. The report authors suggest that the increasing pessimism evident in the October survey may be linked to the cost-of-living crisis affecting many European countries as the war in Ukraine drags on.
 
Most agents responding to the October survey have finished their bookings for the summer of 2023, and unfortunately the near-term picture does not look excellent. Agents were asked how many students they will send to the UK and other destinations in 2023, and their responses are shown in the chart below. The report notes that these responses mean that, “in addition to the £875m loss in revenue to the UK economy this year, there will be a further £600m loss in revenue to the economy next year.”

Government says it is listening

Joss Croft, chief executive of UKInbound, who chairs the UK government’s tourism demand and competitiveness working group, said his group was “fully supportive” of the need for new policies to help struggling ELT providers, saying that the recovery of the ELT sector is in line with broader tourism recovery goals.

For additional background, please see:

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Specialised camps are raising the bar for junior programmes /2017/10/specialised-camps-raising-bar-junior-programmes/ Tue, 31 Oct 2017 18:46:30 +0000 /?p=22091 The junior segment is big business for leading ELT (English-language training) destinations and an increasingly important growth segment in a global market where overall year-over-year gains are now in the low single digits. In the UK, for example, junior language learners (18 years old or younger) now outnumber adults. And in Malta, juniors accounted for…

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The junior segment is big business for leading ELT (English-language training) destinations and an increasingly important growth segment in a global market where overall year-over-year gains are now in the low single digits.

In the UK, for example, junior language learners (18 years old or younger) now outnumber adults. And in Malta, juniors accounted for half of ELT commencements in 2016, while Ireland’s increase in junior bookings helped to push industry growth into the double digits last year.

Aside from its burgeoning demand, the junior segment has a couple of notable characteristics. First and foremost, juniors tend to stay for shorter periods, and enrolments tend to be heavily concentrated in short-term camp programmes during summer or winter breaks from school.

Second, young students’ decision to study a language overseas is often motivated by their desire to have unique cultural experiences or by a longer-term goal of studying abroad at the tertiary level.

And – perhaps most importantly for the future development of this key segment – increasing competition for junior bookings is helping to usher in a new field of more specialised programmes that offer new experiences, opportunities, and partnerships targeted to younger learners.

Better together

UK-based ELT provider The Language Gallery (TLG) is one example of a school that is building its junior programmes around key working relationships. Four years ago, TLG established a broad partnership with a professional football club. The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football, and has the distinction of being one of the most highly valued football clubs in the world.

The resulting Residential Camps are the flagship programmes of TLG’s partnership. They combine English-language instruction with sports leadership and intensive football training with club coaching staff. The camps are connected with the club’s official player development academy
as well, and participants join in skills challenges and player development sessions in that famed training ground.

“The key to any such partnership is to keep the focus on education but then adding in value with something that the students are passionate about,” says Ross Metherell, TLG’s director of sports and corporate programmes. “Then when they go into the classroom they are extremely motivated.”

Broad collaborations such as this also open up new avenues for recruitment. “We recruit via key agents,” adds Mr Metherell, “but also through football organisations.” Space is limited in the residential camps and they are often fully booked. As of this writing, the 2017 schedule was completely sold out.

TLG’s newest junior programme partnership sees it moving off the football pitch and into the dance studio for a collaboration with London’s Pineapple Dance Studio. TLG and Pineapple will offer a new residential camp for the first time in 2017 that combines English instruction with dance. “We look for partnerships that allow us to offer something unique, something special,” says Mr Metherell, “but without going too niche.”

Building new skills

International House Dublin has expanded its junior residential programmes in recent years as well. Since 2012, IH Dublin has offered homestay and residential camps at University College Cork, just a few hours’ drive from Dublin.

Targeted to juniors between 9 and 16 years of age, the camps combine intensive English instruction with cultural activities and digital media training. The digital arts projects in Cork range from movie and animation production to podcasting to coding for video games and web publishing.

Meanwhile in the US, iD Tech Camps hosts roughly 50,000 students a year at programmes on college and university campuses throughout the country. This leading provider welcomes international students from dozens of countries every year, but all programmes are given in English and students are expected to function at a basic level of English without integrated language instruction. Campers attend for one or more weeks, and follow programmes in app development, game design, robotics, web design, film and video production, 3D modelling, coding, and engineering.

“The way students learn is changing,” says iD Tech CEO Pete Ingram-Cauchi. “We have to offer them the opportunity to experience subjects applicable to future careers, while providing tools to problem solve, create, work in teams, and use critical thinking skills.”

Earlier this year, iD Tech began an international expansion programme that will see it offering new offshore programmes in collaboration with the GEMS Nations Academy in Dubai and the University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong. “These new locations are just the first step in our international opportunities,” adds Mr Ingram-Cauchi. “We plan to grow our programme overseas to deliver our unique blend of essential STEM education and summer fun to additional campuses across the Middle East and Asia.”

Pathways to higher education

Academic preparation is another major stream in junior programmes, and there are many examples to be found of well-established summer programmes that help students prepare for university admission and sample university campuses and coursework. ILAC, a leading ELT provider in Canada, is ramping up its programmes in this area to keep pace with growing demand. In the process, it is stepping outside the boundaries of a traditional summer camp model.

“We used to operate junior programmes only in summer and winter,” says marketing director Jimmy Battaglia, “but now we see high demand for underage students throughout the year.” In response, ILAC is introducing a new academic pathway programme in 2017 targeted to 16–18-year-olds. Students can join the programme throughout the year with individual counselling, campus visits, and placement services included. “In June, July, and August, we also offer English classes combined with college-level seminars,” adds Mr Battaglia.

Whether taking a university class, building a new mobile app, or perfecting their skills in the studio or on the pitch, younger language learners have many choices for value-added summer programmes that correspond to just about any interest. As competition continues to increase in the junior segment, we can expect further specialisation and innovation in camp programmes going forward.

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