Page 6 - ELG2505 May Issue 494

NEWS .

What does English UK’
What does English UK’s 2025
s 2025

eport tell us?
student statistics r
student statistics report tell us?

UK ELT held steady in a year of global uncertainty and turbulence,

according to the latest annual figures published by English UK.

nglish UK’s student “We are using evidence from
statistics for 2024 show the economic impact report and
overall stasis, with more the student statistics to intensify
Evolatility in the top our campaigning and lobbying
markets and starker differences in efforts for our members and our
how its member centres are faring. industry, and we will further
Comparing 2024 to 2023, expand the scope of our market
student numbers were down 0.5% intelligence. We are exploring
and student weeks 0.9%. Of 309 ways of adding more forecasting
centres reporting results, 44% to our market intelligence as well
recorded growth in their student as identifying and acting on areas
weeks whilst 54% experienced of greater potential.
decline. “Our industry may not be as
Ivana Bartosik of English UK untroubled as these statistics
intelligence partner BONARD suggest, but with uncertainty
said: “In a year marked by comes opportunity. English UK is
global uncertainty, significant working to identify and maximise
government interventions and those opportunities, and to support At the English UK GM and Conference the following day
projected double-digit declines our members in seizing them.” (Thursday 15 May), the message was very much that the ELT
in affected ELT destinations, the community is ‘stronger together’ and must remain positive.
UK sector held steady. While
overall growth remained flat, this The report, commissioned by 1,150,255 full-time face-to-face
consistency amid international English UK and researched by policy student weeks).
turbulence reflects the UK research consultancy Pragmatix • Comparing 2024 to 2023,
sector’s enduring appeal and Advisory said: “The ELT sector full-time student numbers
ability to adapt.” The report said makes a widely unrecognised decreased by 0.5% and student
the UK ELT sector was “projected contribution to the UK’s economy weeks by 0.9%.
to remain broadly stable” in 2025, and wider global influence. • Of the 309 centres reporting
adding that “performance at the The English UK Parliamentary “The headline figure of around results, 44% recorded growth in
individual centre level continued Reception hosted by the Lord £2 billion of gross value added to their student weeks, while 54%
to show considerable variation.” Aberdare, was a valuable the UK economy is a substantial experienced a decline.
opportunity to connect with contribution but one that ignores • Growth was concentrated in
MPs and parliamentarians the long-term downstream effects the private sector. ELT students
in the same week that the on the economy of previous and student weeks at member
government published its students (or their connections) FE colleges and universities
new immigration white paper. investing in the UK following a have continuously declined
positive experience as a language since 2019; in 2024, they
English UK’s new position student. The total contribution to dropped by 9% and 15%.
paper - Global opportunities: how the long-term fiscal health of the • Juniors made up 62% of all
government can support the UK UK, therefore, is far greater than students, and their average stay
English language teaching sector - we have calculated and needs to increased to 1.9 weeks.
contains six recommendations: be recognised.” • Adults still dominated student
Chief Executive Jodie Gray 1. Expand career-enhancing travel week volume (at 67%), staying
speaking at the English UK opportunities for young people Key findings for an average of 6 weeks.
parliamentary reception where via YMS • English UK’s member centres • ‘South and Southeast England’
it launched the new position 2. Extend ID card travel for EU taught 349,679 English language and London were the most
paper. school groups students. 335,750 were on popular regions but also the
3. Recognise UK ELT’s accreditation full-time courses (333,440 locations most affected by the
English UK’s chief executive scheme for student visas face-to-face and 2,310 online) overall student week contraction.
Jodie Gray said campaigning would 4. Increase rent-a-room tax relief and 13,929 studied part-time • The top 20 source markets
intensify, with a new position to preserve UK ELT’s unique (10,788 face-to-face and 3,141 accounted for 85% of all
paper launched in Parliament offer online). student numbers and delivered
on 14 May, the day before 5. Create exchange programmes 86% of student weeks. Nine
the statistics were published: for young professionals. The report shows that in 2024 saw a year-on-year increase,
“Our priority is to improve the • People travelled from over with China, Colombia, and
operating environment for our The recommendations are supported 100 source markets to learn or Türkiye the top growing
members, and ensure our industry by the independently produced improve their English in the UK. markets.
continues to benefit the UK both economic impact report into UK • Student weeks again surpassed
financially and diplomatically. ELT, published earlier this week. the one million milestone (at AUTHOR: English UK
6 May 2025