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Student numbers maintained despite unfavourable regulatory environment — survey

OTTAWA, June 22, 2015 – Canada’s language education professionals can now access one of the country’s most unique and comprehensive survey reports focused on the sector. The report, developed by Languages Canada, presents findings from the 2014 Languages Canada annual survey conducted in February 2015. All of the association’s 225 member programs completed surveys to create a report that provides an accurate glimpse of the state of the language education sector in Canada.

The report, released today, shows student numbers maintained at the same level after having decreased in 2013. In 2014, the overall number of students enrolled at Languages Canada member programs increased to 137,416, up from around 129,704 in 2013. However, the increase was due, in part, to an increase in the number of member programs. When global growth is factored in, it can be stated that numbers have maintained the same level as in the previous year.

Undoubtedly the biggest challenges continue to be the impact of federal visa regulations implemented last year, the uncertainty in the regulatory outcome in BC and Quebec, and compliance costs in Ontario. The report also highlights ongoing challenges, including visa approvals — specifically denials or delays in the processing of student visas — and competition from other language programs both within and outside Canada. Despite these challenges, tuition and living expenses paid by language students generated an estimated $1.48 billion for the economy.

“This year’s report shows how growth and innovation are directly impacted by policy, or the absence of policy, causing uncertainty in the market. If Canada had continued without change in government policy in 2012, we should have welcomed close to 160,000 international language students in the country in 2014, based on global growth rates, not the 137,416 reported in this survey,” says Gonzalo Peralta, Executive Director of Languages Canada.

The top five source countries for 2014 were Brazil (20,128), Japan (20,081), China (17,685), South Korea (15,571) and Saudi Arabia (10,497). This is the first year that Brazil as taken top spot as a source country.

“We’re hopeful that the results of this report will support the creation of better policy for the sector in Canada and help generate further awareness about the value of language in the context of education, trade, immigration and the workforce,” says Sharon Curl, President of Languages Canada.

Key findings:

• In 2014, the overall number of students enrolled at Languages Canada member programs increased to 137,416, up from 129,704 in 2013.
• The average study period at member programs was 12 weeks.
• 55% of students require some form of visa to enter the country, compared with 35% of students who require no visa for short-term study.
• Students enrolled in French-language programs stayed for shorter periods of time and were more likely to be from Canada.
• 48,368 (35%) students were reported as intending to continue on to post-secondary studies, although the true number is likely higher.
• The top 5 source countries for 2014 were: Brazil (20,128), Japan (20,081), China (17,685), South Korea (15,571) and Saudi Arabia (10,497).
• Tuition and living expenses paid by language students generated a minimum of $1.48 billion in export revenues for the economy and $170 million in export derived tax revenue for Canadian governments.
• Challenges included visa approvals, specifically denials or delays in the processing of student visas, and competition from other language programs.

To download the full Executive Summary, please visit:
Research & Statistics

ABOUT LANGUAGES CANADA
Languages Canada is a not-for-profit association representing 225 language education members across Canada that offer accredited English and French programs from both the public and private sectors.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Sarah Snowdon
Communications Manager
ssnowdon@languagescanada.ca