Page 10 - ELG2307 Jul Issue 485

NEWS FEATURE .

Edinburgh’s EFL revival

Teacher and journalist, Charlie Ellis, reports on Edinburgh’s COVID recovery.

ollowing the twin blows of New Town, a UNESCO World limped on, switching to online Furthermore, it was difficult to
COVID and Brexit there Heritage Site. Some students also teaching during the depths of maintain a “communicative”
are signs of renewed life come to Edinburgh to experience the pandemic. More than 50% of classroom atmosphere in such
Fin Edinburgh’s EFL scene. the cultural extravaganza that staff in the EFL sector were laid circumstances. Wearing face
While several schools have closed is the Edinburgh International off during that period as student coverings made it hard to practice
for good in the last three years, Festival & Fringe in August, as well numbers fell by 79%; a substantial key aspects of the language, such
those which have managed to as the Hogmanay event at New number of teachers even left the as pronunciation. This period of
survive are looking to summer Year. They find a very liveable and sector for good. great uncertainty required schools
and autumn 2023 with a degree welcoming city with large green and teachers to be very adaptable.
of confidence. Some schools spaces, but only discover the A proliferation It was a substantial test for those
have re-emerged from a period distinctly “changeable” weather in the sector, with no guarantee
of “hibernation,” while a number once they arrive! of empty premises that their schools would make it
have recently expanded. The TEFL sector is a significant and “To Let” signs through. Some, evidently, did not.
part of the UK economy. According
A top TEFL destination to English UK, the ELT industry spoke of a sector The loss of language schools
Alongside cities such as Oxford, was, prior to COVID, generating Among the Edinburgh schools to
London, and Bournemouth, around £1.4bn income for the in crisis. This now have shut in recent years include
Edinburgh has long been a leading UK each year and supporting seems to have Mackenzie, Global, Wallace
TEFL destination in the UK. around 35,700 jobs. However, this College, and Caledonian. Berlitz
Students are drawn to Edinburgh massive contribution often goes passed. closed its physical premises on
by the beauty and historical under the radar. Frederick Street. The large chain
interest of the city and the high As previously outlined in Operating schools during British Study Centres also closed
reputation of many of the English the Gazette, the introduction the pandemic posed many their vast Edinburgh base on
language schools. Many of these of complex rules has severely difficulties. Due to the need George Street.
schools have, historically, been impacted the school trips market. to maintain social distance, Mackenzie English School in
based in prime locations in and Many schools have closed classes had to be limited in size, Leith was the only school in the
around Edinburgh’s Georgian for good, while others have which severely dented income. city which ran courses just for
10 July 2023