(1888PressRelease)
June 18, 2008 - BEET Language Centre in Bournemouth says it will be a bumper year for language schools in the town, because the falling pound is making the south coast more attractive to overseas students.This reverses the trend in recent years where fears of terrorism have dented the language school industry both nationally and locally.
BEET Language Centre in Charminster says it is already 25 per cent ahead of enrolments compared to this time last year, and other schools are reporting similar bookings.Clive Barrow, vice chair of the Regional Accredited Language Schools Association and managing director of BEET, said: “Enrolments have increased across the UK. One factor is the weakness of the pound against most currencies especially the Euro.
“Another is the gift of 5,000 one-year scholarships from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia on his recent visit to the UK. “Additionally the Spanish government is continuing its project of 51,000 three-week scholarships. Some of these come to the UK for three months between July and October.”
Mr Barrow says membership of the International Association of Language Centres (IALC) and the Quality English organisation is beginning to produce increased enrolments from agents wanting to work with independent schools of “high quality”.
“Language students are worth an estimated £130m to the Bournemouth economy and £1.3bn a year nationally,” he added.
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