Page 12 - ELG1710 Oct Issue 451

NEWS .
NEWS
NEWS

Shane Global programme. The co-ordinators, EDUCATION GIANT SHUTS BOARDING
tasked with finding Esol classes for
their clients, are mapping the Esol
provision in their region and use a
range of providers, depending on
the needs of the clients and the SCHOOL AMID REPORTS OF SELL-OFF
availability of places.
Smaller private language
schools with capacity can offer, in Study Group shuts Bellerbys Oxford as speculation mounts over reports the
my experience, a caring and non- company is up for sale for £700 million
threatening environment, where
everyone is there to learn English.
They would suit a student who By Melanie Butler Group declined to comment Equity in 2010 for just under campus.
doesn’t want to be part of a large, Education giant Study Group on reports from Sky News and £400 million. A Mexican student, also from
bustling and perhaps impersonal, has closed one of its four UK The Australian newspaper that Embassy English has seen its Embassy Greenwich, fell to his
college which offers a range of boarding schools, in what is Study Group was up for sale for UK rankings tumble in recent death from a balcony in a nearby
subjects. widely seen as a move to improve a rumoured £700 million. years and, as we report on page block of flats in 2014.
Students can usually choose profitability by the US-owned Speculation is rife that two 14. It now scores an average 4.5 A Russian student from
when they enrol and for how long, company, which is reported to Australian-listed companies, strengths on its British Council Bellerbys London died in the
not a lot of paperwork is required be up for sale. Pathway giant Navitas and IDP, reports, well below competitors same fall.
Could language schools grab Bellerbys Oxford, which was are likely bidders for the group British Study Centres, Kaplan In the same year, another
a slice of the Esol pie? and there is no obligation to sit an
exam. It is often possible to switch reported to have fees of more which is best known for its and EF. Russian student at the school
A number of incidents have
days or times from week to week, than £40,000 a year, shut its university pathway programmes cast a shadow across both the committed suicide.
Learning the hard way
Language schools urged attract people in sectors such schools in Oxford and Central USA. Embassy and Bellerbys brands rumoured sale, a spokesperson
doors at the end of the summer.
according to shifts, which would
in the UK, Australia and the
In a statement on the
Embassy English language
for Study Group told the Gazette
as the NHS. Another strength
The company, which had its
in recent years.
they never comment on such
bonds ratings downgraded by
In 2011, four students at
London – also owned by Study
of language schools is that their
to grasp the Esol nettle staff are skilled at teaching more Group – were set to close as the credit agencies Moody’s and Embassy Greenwich were found rumours and ‘instead focus on
guilty of gang-raping a woman
Gazette went to press.
Standard and Poors last year,
providing a great experience
advanced students.
London
A spokesperson for Study
and outcomes for our students.’
Public sector colleges tend to
on
was acquired by Providence
Bellerbys
the
offer fewer courses at B2 or above,
as, at this level, people tend to
After UK MPs called for a better strategy for Esol provision be in employment. However,
this kind of person, usually a
in England, Jenny Roden says funding changes could make it professional, may well be looking
easier for language schools to become providers for a fast track intensive course to
identify and work on specific areas
of weakness.
By Jenny Roden In England, from September Secure English Language Test Would schools have to change?
I occasionally do some teaching 2018 (2019 in London), funding (Selt). This is the qualification Well, yes. For instance, some CPD
for a small private language for accredited and community at B1, which is the minimum for staff would be needed and non-
school in London. The students Esol (the Adult Education requirement for applications for traditional opening times, such as
are mostly teenage groups and Budget) will start to be devolved British citizenship and Indefinite evenings and Saturdays, may need
longer stay visitors who are there from central government to local Leave to Remain. But very few to be considered.
for several months. commissioning bodies. private language schools are They may have to accept a
But there is also a significant These groups will (hopefully) offering preparation courses for lower rate per student, but there
number of people staying even plan provision to suit the needs of this test. English UK, which would be more students and they
longer. These include the spouses the Esol population of their area. represents a large proportion would stay longer.
of people working in the UK and But at the same time as these of private language schools And schools may have to get
some employees from Eastern changes, there are calls for a more throughout the country, estimates used to partnership working
Europe, working shifts. joined-up and holistic approach this figure to be less than 10 per with other Esol providers, local
Talking to ELT colleagues from to Esol provision. cent. authorities and employers.
other cities, I get the impression The latest reports from the Huan Japes, membership But, as Byron Skelton, director
that this picture is replicated in All Party Parliamentary Group director at English UK said: of studies at Torquay International
many other small private ELT on Social Integration and the ‘Now is a great time to explore School, (London) says: ‘Changes
schools in this country. In effect, National Association for Teaching opportunities, both to diversify in the funding process are creating
they have already diversified by English and other Community and also to get more involved with opportunities for independent
catering both for people who Languages to Adults (Natecla) the local community, as several of language schools to pivot toward
come to the country solely to show what a pressing issue this our members already are. a new market that can sit
improve their English (EFL) has become. It is a good idea for English comfortably beside their standard
and for those who need to learn All this means that there is language centres to build on their offer.’
English to communicate and the potential for all providers of strengths and be prepared to be
integrate (Esol). English Language tuition in a flexible’.
The Esol landscape in England local area to tap into funding and Another opportunity, n Jenny Roden is a specialist in
is currently in a state of flux. I for students to move in and out depending on your area, would be ELT and Esol. For over more
say, ‘in England’, as Wales and of different types of provision – to offer courses for Syrian refugees, than 40 years she has worked as a
Scotland already have their own formal, semi-formal and informal. who are arriving under the teacher, teacher trainer, manager and
policies for Esol, and devolved But what about current government’s Syrian Vulnerable materials writer, both in the UK and
budgets for education. opportunities? Well, there is the Persons Resettlement (SVPR) overseas.
12 October 2017 editorial@elgazette.com 13