Language schools' horrible summer

Language schools are expecting a double-digit percentage drop in student nights after a "horrible summer".

The Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations (Feltom) confirmed that, although the exact drop is difficult to quantify so far, the schools are expecting a percentage drop that would be in double digits.

Sources said there were several teachers who used to work with the same schools for a number of summers who ended up without a job this year because there were not enough students.

Businesses are striving to make it to the end of this year, which many are describing as "horrible" for the teaching-English-as-a-foreign-language industry.

Feltom president Andrew Mangion said the federation and the industry as a whole had anticipated that the year would be a difficult one and had foreseen a significant drop in student weeks.

The main drops were in the under 18-year-old markets, although some adult markets, such as those from South Korea, Russia, Spain, France, Switzerland and even Germany, are also likely to see drops.

He said there were several reasons that contributed to this drop but the biggest one was the global financial crisis and the recession that followed, leaving less money in people's pockets.

The swine flu outbreak in Malta made a bad situation worse.

The exchange rate between the euro and the sterling was another reason for the drop.

In the UK, prices are cheaper when compared to other eurozone countries, making the UK more attractive.

Feltom is holding a three-day familiarisation trip and forum this weekend, the highlight event to mark its 20th anniversary.

The event is being attended by agents from across the globe who will today meet representatives of the schools members of Feltom.

The event ends tomorrow with a forum addressed by key industry speakers and is aimed at discussing the state of the industry and see what the future of the language industry may hold.