Page 5 - ELG2505 May Issue 494

WELCOME . EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome to the May issue

of EL Gazette

If a week is a long time in politics, the period between Monday 12 May and Monday 19 May theteam
certainly proved it. During this pivotal week, the government made a series of major
announcements impacting ELT, coinciding with significant developments within the industry itself.
On Monday, 12 May the first economic impact report on UK English Language Teaching (ELT) MELANIE BUTLER,
in a decade was released, revealing the industry’s significant contribution to the UK economy. The editor-in-chief,
report, “Examining the Economics of the English Language Teaching Industry,” authored by Pragmatix started teaching EFL in
Iran in 1975. She worked
Advisory on behalf of English UK and sponsored by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, for the BBC World Service,
LanguageCert, and Trinity College London, found the UK ELT industry to be worth almost £2 billion, Pearson/Longman and
supporting 40,000 jobs. MET magazine before
Despite this substantial impact, the report highlighted that ELT’s contribution to the UK’s taking over at the Gazette in 1987 and
economy and global influence has largely gone unnoticed. It stated, “The headline figure of around also launching Study Travel magazine.
£2 billion of gross value added to the UK economy is a substantial contribution but one that ignores Educated in 10 schools in seven countries,
she speaks fluent French and Spanish, and
the long-term downstream effects on the economy of previous students (or their connections) rather rusty Italian.
investing in the UK following a positive experience as a language student. The total contribution to melanie@elgazette.com
the long-term fiscal health of the UK, therefore, is far greater than we have calculated and needs to
be recognised.” BECCI KNOWLES,
Jodie Gray, chief executive of English UK – the national association of English language centres editor, with two decades
in the UK – commented on the findings: “The government says growing the UK economy is of experience in business
and consumer press, Becci
its number one priority, and our industry can play a part in that. This report demonstrates how has contributed to many
government support for us could help drive growth, income, and jobs.” leading titles and worked
The same day, the government made its own announcement, publishing a new immigration on a number of industry
paper and confirming plans to tighten English tests for all visa applicants and their adult events. She holds a degree in English and
dependants. American Literature from the University of
On Wednesday 14 May, as had always been the plan, English UK launched its new position paper at Kent at Canterbury and has experience
a parliamentary reception. Despite the government’s latest move adding a new dimension to discussions as an ELT.
(I was there and being new to the industry, I learned a lot from it), the message taken forward at the GILL RAGSDALE,
reception and the association’s Members Conference and AGM the following day was “We are stronger research news reporter,
when we act together.” has a PhD in Evolutionary
Exactly one week on from its first announcement, on Monday 19 May, another emerged from Anthropology from
Cambridge and teaches
discussions between Sir Keir Starmer, European Council President António Costa, and European Psychology with the Open
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the first UK-EU summit since Brexit. The meeting University. She also holds
had resulted in a ‘Common Understanding’, elements of which signalled “promising changes” for UK an RSA-Cert TEFL. Gill has taught EFL in
ELT, including the exploration of a youth mobility scheme and the potential return of the UK to the the UK, Turkey, Egypt and to refugees in
the Calais ‘Jungle’ in France. She currently
Erasmus+ programme. teaches English to refugees in the UK.
English UK described the UK-EU reset deal as “very promising for UK ELT”, but that it would
need to continue campaigning – with members’ help – to achieve everything it wants. CHARLOTTE DYASON,
Chief Executive Jodie Gray said: “While we are happy to hear this news, it is far from clear what senior sales, a graduate
the UK’s association with Erasmus+ will look like. We will push for this to be as broad as possible of Canterbury and
experienced education
in the interests of our industry, the economy and our young people.” marketer, Charlotte has a
Watch this space. wealth of expertise and
knowledge to assist with
Coming up…. promotional campaigns.
Gill Ragsdale brings us news on recent research which reveals, how musical rhythms can info@elgazette.com, tel 020 3137 9119.
significantly enhance speech processing and the benefits of live storytelling in ELT. We also unravel
the hidden history of the English language, from ancient sayings to Gen Z slang, with insights from IAN CARTER,
the British Council. Plus, get a comprehensive report from the 58th IATEFL Annual Conference in publisher, has a
Edinburgh, highlighting a profession in transition. Masters in Strategic
Business Management
Our special supplement shines (Westminster) and
a spotlight on Malta, a burgeoning 30 years’ publishing
hub for English language education. experience in the
We go behind the scenes with professional and academic sector.
FELTOM CEO Jessica Rees Jones elgazette@media-shed.co.uk,
to talk about the federation’s tel 020 3475 6811.
35-year legacy, its strategic move to Images copyright: pixabay/pexels /unsplash
Valletta, the launch of a landmark
agent training scheme and future Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in
vision. We also talk to ELT Council EL Gazette editorially or by contributors
CEO Sue Falzon, who shares do not necessarily represent the official
insights into the latest NSO student view of EL Gazette or Media Shed Ltd,
nor is either responsible for claims
statistics. expressed or implied in advertising.
All this and more inside - enjoy EL Gazette is published under licence
the magazine! by Media Shed Ltd and all reproduction
Susan Young, English UK explains the main points rights are strictly reserved. Copyright 2023.
BECCI KNOWLES, EDITOR of the paper ISSN 1368-2628.00

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