Page 28 - ELG1710 Oct Issue 451

RESOURCES .
REVIEWS & RESOURCES

Lifting the to make life easier for the college,

n What could the government do
in terms of its English language and
international provision?
Vale on the value of international students in
The government seems to have forgotten
terms of the sharing of culture, creativity,
innovation and understanding (we are at
a time when the importance of this should
not be underestimated), let alone their
Wales financial impact. We are very unsure
why students on Tier 4 visas can stay a
maximum of two years at an FE college
or why Tier 4 students in HE can work
while those in FE can’t – some rationale for
these would be good. Recently, we have
had reports that some rejection letters for
short term study visas have stated that ‘it
is cheaper for students to study English in
their own countries’ which rather defeats
Cardiff and Vale College was named as ‘best in Wales’ in the the point, doesn’t it?! And finally, it would
EL Gazette rankings, but Jim Shields believes international be good if further
education (and the
students will be charmed by the whole country Wales is home to some epic EFL sector in general)
landscapes
were acknowledged
in any of the
ell us a bit about what is special into the workplace. The fact that the per person than any UK core city and is one When you combine this with academic have a lot to offer. Tuition fees are much government’s speeches
about Cardiff and Vale College majority of our students come to us through of the safest cities in the UK. provision for GCSEs and A levels right up lower than universities while actual on international
in terms of the English language recommendations from our student alumni We have three universities here and a to foundation degrees and post-graduate teaching hours are much higher – and some education, not just the
Tprogrammes that you offer. speaks volumes. vibrant student population, sports, art and teacher training, it’s easy to see that we say quality standards are too. universities. Jim Shields
Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) has n Why do you think international foodie scene.
been welcoming international students students choose Wales over other parts Wonderfully, one of the most consistent
from all over the world for over 30 years. of the UK? points of positive feedback we receive from
We have a highly-qualified and experienced To be honest, they don’t! International students is how fresh the Welsh air is!
staff team here who thrive on working with students have traditionally gone to London, n What was the secret to becoming
such interesting students and helping them Oxford, Cambridge and places they have the best language centre in Wales,
to progress into their futures. heard of but without realising everything according to the EL Gazette rankings?
Our English language programmes are Wales has to offer. Whilst we are proud to be ranked as the
designed for just that – to support students This is changing fast and Britain’s best ‘Best in Wales’ we actually believe ‘Wales
to learn the language and take their next kept secret is rapidly becoming more is best’ and are sure our partner schools
steps forward, whether that’s into courses popular. Cardiff was named as one of the in English UK Wales and Learn English in
here at the college, with our university top ten cities in the world to visit in the Wales would agree with us!
partners and wider higher education or Rough Guide 2016, it has more green space Together, we represent a country
of stunning natural beauty, warm and
welcoming people, vibrant and modern
Jon Candy cities – all in a very safe and affordable
environment.
Our students get to experience the best
of Wales through our year-round social
events programmes and summer school
activities, while they are able to stay with
local homestay families or in purpose built
student accommodation.
n What is the outlook for the FE
sector in terms of ELT and ESOL and
welcoming international students?
The outlook for the further education
sector is actually very strong.
Vocational education is experiencing
huge interest and CAVC are able to
offer courses in so many areas from
aircraft engineering to welding. We have
campuses dedicated to sports, construction
and engineering, mechanics, aerospace
engineering as well as facilities for beauty
Cardiff Castle and holistic therapies, creative design,
theatrical studies and dance.
28 October 2017 editorial@elgazette.com 29