Page 13 - ELG1909 Sep Issue 466

BUSINESS NEWS .
NEWS

Drop in US numbers hit IEPs, language schools Stars and start-ups storm the ELTons

By Melanie Butler By Melanie Butler Learner Resources for Ready to
The Intensive English Program (IEP) sector, This year’s ELTon awards was Run, an authentic video series.
which includes pre-university intensive hosted by the utterly irrepressible The only ELT major to receive
English language courses in the US, continues Benjamin Zephaniah, author, an award this year, in Innovation JAMES GIFFORD-MEAD
to shrink, according to 2018 figures released SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY playwright, Rasta Dub poet and in Teacher Resources, was
in May by the International Institute of British National Treasure. Cambridge Assessment English for
Education. It was a night when the small Teaching English Online. Designed
There were some 78,000 international players took on the ELT majors to help trained EFL teachers learn
students at around 400 IEPs in 2018, a 10 and won. Speaking for the team to adapt their face-to-face skills to
per cent drop from the previous year. But the at Atama-ii, books publisher and a digital classroom.
fall was not as dramatic as that seen in 2017, author Marcos Venides thanked A standing ovation greeted the
which saw around 20 per cent fewer students Pearson for turning down the award for Local Innovation, which
than in 2016. second edition of the task-based went to the Hands Up Project and
Last year, numbers were up from the top course book for Widgets Inc, which UNRWA (the United Nations
two sending countries, China and Japan. The garnered the prize for Excellence Relief and Works Agency) for
next three most important markets were Saudi in Course Innovation. the Hands Up Project Playwriting
Arabia, Brazil and South Korea. Italy was the Technopreneur Sarah Competition for children in the The Hands Up team with Benjamin Zephaniah (left), and
only European country in the top ten. Bromley received the Digital occupied West Bank and Gaza. Francesca Woodward of Cambridge Assessment (right).
Students are also spending less time on the Innovation award for Go Correct, The award was received by
programmes, which traditionally ran for a full a messenger-based chat bot. Hands Up founder and co- another great British favourite, Honorary Professor of Linguistics
academic year. Some universities have responded Students using the app receive ordinator Nick Bilborough, Michael Rosen, former Children’s at the University of Bangor and
by laying off teaching staff or switching them to San Diego State University, where the Language Centre has been hit by the demand a daily conversation question on who came up the idea for the Laureate. frequent guest on Michael Rosen’s
shorter, non-tenured contracts. for shorter courses (see case study). their phones, which are corrected competition when attending a This year’s winner was radio show, Professor Crystal was
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the demand by real teachers. teachers’ conference in Gaza. Professor David Crystal, patron nominated for the award by his
for traditional, year-long academic English General. The Inlingua Florida schools shut of its landlord for non-payment of rent, The team at Digital Learning Every ELTons award ceremony of the International Association fans worldwide - from Ethiopia to
courses has been undermined by the emergence suddenly in November, after its franchisee taxes and utilities. Chaotic scenes followed Associates, led by Stephen culminates in the awarding of of Teachers of English as a New Zealand.
of ‘foundation years.’ These combine English became embroiled in a complex bankruptcy as students – many of whom had recently Haggard and Adam Salkeld, the Outstanding Achievement Foreign Language, and the British He is, as the British Council
language classes with courses in academic court case. Last December, the EC group paid for ten-week English language classes – bounded onto the stage to receive Award. This year, Benjamin Council, among others. The observed, “the UK’s national
subjects run by so called Pathway providers, acquired the Embassy chain and closed the scrambled to obtain documents allowing the award for Innovation in Zepaniah was joined on stage by author of more than 100 books, treasure of linguistics.”
such as the UK’s INTO, and Australian giant four remaining US Embassy schools. them to transfer to another language school
Navitas. In the latest development, New York and keep their student visas.
The US private language school market in language school The American Language A letter from ALCC management told staff
major tourist destinations has also been hit Communication Center (ALCC) announced they were “not able to make any refunds.” The
by falling numbers, leading to a spate of high- in early April that it would close imminently, New York State Department of Education told
profile closures. giving its students four-days notice to transfer The City that ALCC is liable for refunding all
The Boston Language Institute closed to another school and keep their visas. students enrolled at the time of closure, and
suddenly in January this year, prompting an The notice came four weeks after the the State’s Tuition Reimbursement Fund will
investigation by the Massachusetts Attorney school received an eviction warrant on behalf meet these costs.

Case Study: San Diego

Following changes in the US market, May 2019 saw San Diego State University’s American Language Institute lay off its 12 full-time
ESL instructors and programme directors, citing declining interest in year-long intensive English programmes and a “rapid change” in the
nature of access to higher education.
The American Language Institute at San Diego State University (SDSU), which has operated intensive English language
programmes for 20 years as part of the College of Extended Studies, will remain open, with its four intensive English programmes
reduced to just one.
A university spokesperson told the Gazette that SDSU had seen an increase in international enrolments, which have risen 44 per cent
to some 1900 students since 2013. But higher levels of English among international students and a demand for ‘just-in-time programmes’
has meant less demand for long-term programmes.
“Due to the changing ESL environment…, the College of Extended Studies adjusted its American Language Institute’s workforce to
be flexible to meet the more on-demand nature of this evolving segment. This did include elimination of full-time instructor positions,” a
spokesperson confirmed.
“However, SDSU will continue to offer its excellent ESL courses through the American Language Institute,” she added.
Press reports suggest that part-time ESL teachers on short contracts have been hired to replace the 12 full-timers who were laid off.
In the US, the use of part-time ‘adjunct’ teachers has increased across the university sector. English language teachers, many of whom
commute between different universities, are often referred to as ‘freeway gypsies’.
A statement from the Dean of the College of Extended Studies, and the Director of the American Language Institute confirms that, FOLLOW US:
“While personnel changes occurred in May 2019, the Institute remains open, and … will continue to serve English language learners www.expresspublishing.co.uk www.iwonder.land
and adult learners from countries around the world. English as a Second Language at the ALI has been restructured this summer to help
students feel more closely connected to their peers, and to provide greater diversity in the classroom.” inquiries@expresspublishing.co.uk
EXCITE | EXPLORE | EXCEL
12 September 2019 editorial@elgazette.com 13