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English UK Changes in the structure of English language teaching have seen the UK cement its reputation as a leading English language provider. RichardTruscott outlines the benefits of UK study |
| English UK unites English language
teaching in the UK. By bringing
together the Association of Recognised
English Language Services (ARELS) and
the British Association of State English
Language Teaching (BASELT), it enables
the UK to offer itself as the first-choice
destination for students wishing to learn
English. The provision of quality English
language teaching is the cornerstone of
the new association. Competition and quality The UK has long offered excellent English language provision and attracts over 500,000 students each year, to learn the language. With the popularity and importance of learning English increasing across the globe, competition from other English speaking countries, such as Australia, Canada, the USA and South Africa, in the provision of English language teaching is growing. Such competition is healthy; students are offered more choice as to where they can study and the impact of more countries means that standards should improve. The UK is well placed to meet the challenge of this competition. We have many recognised strengths: high quality provision, the worldwide recognition of qualifications, the intrinsic quality of being the home of the language, as well as historical and cultural attractions of international renown. English UK can build on these strengths to show clearly and effectively that the UK is the best place for English language study. The quality assurance that English UK members offer international students is vital. All 340 members of English UK are accredited by the British Council under the English in Britain Accreditation Scheme, providing the highest standards of learning. This means that you can choose the course and location that suits you best, from the smallest hometuition school to the largest university department, secure in the knowledge that all aspects of your learning experience have been rigorously inspected against the highest standards. Tailor-made courses The previous distinction that existed between private language schools, state sector colleges and universities has become increasingly irrelevant to learners. As students become more aware of their language goals and how they can best be met, they have developed a level of sophistication in their choice of location that goes beyond simply identifying private or public institutions. Language students are typically highly motivated; they are go-getters who know what they want and how to get it. The focus now is not just on improving their English language skills, but also getting the relevant add-on skills which will ensure progress in career terms or in further academic and vocational study. Schools, colleges and universities within the UK all offer the flexibility and opportunities that match language learners personal aims. Intensive general English courses remain the bedrock of English language provision, but they are complemented by a vast range of alternatives: work placements, foundation courses, English for academic purposes, English for business, English for air traffic controllers, Third Age learners, English plus golf, English with floristry or whisky-tasting the list is endless.There is even a course in one London college which teaches English for traffic wardens one can only imagine what the vocabulary list might include. A range of locations If you add to this the wide range of locations on offer, the opportunities to find a tailor-made course are indeed rich. Away from the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) heartlands of London, Oxford, Cambridge and the south coast, nuggets of EFL gold are just waiting to be explored. Scotland boasts no fewer than 13 accredited centres, from Glasgow and Edinburgh up to Aberdeen, whilst Wales has five. Although Northern Ireland has only one English UK member, the University of Ulster has the benefit of being the fourth largest university in the UK. Across England, from Whitby to Chester, through the cosmopolitan hub of Birmingham and the Midlands down to the splendours of Devon, you will be able to choose to study in the environment that suits you best. Xi Wang from China recently completed an advanced level English course at a college in the north of England. Before leaving home I had no idea of the possibilities for study in England and I thought English people would be cold. But I find everybody so friendly and helpful! Studying in the UK has helped broaden her horizons and has changed her mind about her career path. I was going to study A-levels when my English was good enough and go to university to study business. But during my English course I saw that it is possible to study media in a practical way. At my college there is a television production suite which means that I study and get experience of making radio and television programmes. Now I want to go back to China after my studies and work in broadcasting. Richness of culture It is this richness of culture and provision that English UK is able to promote. As a single association it is well placed to collaborate with key partners such as the British Council and VisitBritain in a co-ordinated promotional strategy. The coming months will see visits to Kazakhstan, Brazil, the Baltic states, Libya, Hungary and Iran, whilst close ties have recently been forged with Vietnam,Mexico, Korea, Turkey and Taiwan through visits to the UK by education agents. The formation of English UK enables a simple strong message about the UK to be put across: that UK English language teaching equals quality and success. It is this transparency which is the key benefit to students. One organisation now provides all the information students need when planning their studies. The English in the UK guide (published by English UK in association with the British Council) covers all British Council accredited institutions in the UK with details of course type, price, accommodation, region and contact details. British Council offices worldwide are already using the guide as their primary written source of information for prospective students. Students who come to the UK to study English are assured a quality experience at an English UK member centre.Whatever your aims, you know that almost every teacher has been observed by British Council inspectors under the accreditation scheme (this is not the case in all countries) and that the whole learning experience has passed stiff tests. English UK work constantly to drive up the standards of English language teaching. After all, happy and satisfied students are the best guarantee that more students will choose the UK as their study destination. |