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ntropy
Joined: 11 Oct 2003
Posts: 671
Location: ghurba
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 Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 12:26 pm Post subject: Enrollment crisis in N. America? |
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I teach at a very well-established public university in Canada. Enrollment is down quite badly over the past two semesters. The institutions I come in contact with tell me a similar story. Drops up to and over 50%. Some are just shutting the doors.
Two questions:
(1) Are you seeing the same thing where you work?
(2) If so, what are the reasons given for why? |
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Brooks
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1369
Location: Sagamihara
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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don`t know about Canada, but in the US, yes.
Bush`s policies have put off a lot of people.
Lots of Muslims don`t want to go to the US, and the US is being real difficult about handing out visas to students. It is hard for Chinese to get visas.
In Japan, I think people who want to get a student visa have to go to Tokyo for the interview.
And it is cheaper for students to study in Canada and Australia. |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Fri May 20, 2005 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Enrollment crisis in N. America? |
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| ntropy wrote: |
I teach at a very well-established public university in Canada. Enrollment is down quite badly over the past two semesters.
(1) Are you seeing the same thing where you work?
(2) If so, what are the reasons given for why? |
Do you mean enrollment in TESL courses or enrollment in all university courses?
I certainly think there has been a drop in foreign enrollment in native-English schools in general, and for more than the last two semesters. A lot of language schools have reduced in size or simply closed in Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand over the last two years. I suspect that the UK has suffered some reduction as well, but it isn't as severe there.
Why? Obviously the 'war' on terrorism, SARS, much tighter restrictions on visas to visit 'western' countries, etc.
If you were a foreigner, would you want to visit the west right now? I think there is a very strong perception in non-western countries that the "welcome mat" for foreigners has been rolled up and put away. |
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DaadaDG
Joined: 14 Apr 2005
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: Enrollment crisis in N. America? |
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[quote="ntropy"]I teach at a very well-established public university in Canada. Enrollment is down quite badly over the past two semesters. The institutions I come in contact with tell me a similar story. Drops up to and over 50%. Some are just shutting the doors.
Two questions:
(1) Are you seeing the same thing where you work?
(2) If so, what are the reasons given for why?[/quote]
Reponse:
(1) Absolutely YES - all over in Intensive English Programs at the university level in the US.
(2) 9-11. Homeland Security is not letting enough people in, not even just to study. I also heard that the Asian economic crisis is a big factor. It's cheaper for many to get English in their home countries. |
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moot point
Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 441
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| Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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As was previously mentioned, I've read similar comments in the Aust/NZ forum. Obviously, current hostile circumstances worldwide do not encourage visiting western countries.
But could another reason be that more and more native English-speaking "teachers" are willing to head to different countries to teach, so those who want to learn English choose the much cheaper alternative of studying at home instead of paying all those costs to study abroad? |
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ls650
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
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| Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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| moot point wrote: |
| But could another reason be that more and more native English-speaking "teachers" are willing to head to different countries to teach, so those who want to learn English choose the much cheaper alternative of studying at home instead of paying all those costs to study abroad? |
I think that's part of it, but only a minor part. The Asian economy isn't as strong as it was - but there are still plenty of rich potential students who can afford to travel overseas for English training. They have the money to pay, but they don't want to. Why? |
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canucktechie
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 343
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:29 am Post subject: Re: Enrollment crisis in N. America? |
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| ntropy wrote: |
Why? Obviously the 'war' on terrorism, SARS, much tighter restrictions on visas to visit 'western' countries, etc.
If you were a foreigner, would you want to visit the west right now? I think there is a very strong perception in non-western countries that the "welcome mat" for foreigners has been rolled up and put away. |
Well I can tell you that foreigners are just as welcome in Canada as they have ever been. I hope people are not confusing us with you-know-where.
Also, students from Japan and S. Korea, for example, don't even need visas to come for 6 months or less, so visa restrictions can't be putting them off. |
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ntropy
Joined: 11 Oct 2003
Posts: 671
Location: ghurba
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| Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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Actually, Canuktechie, That's somebody else's quote, not mine.
Must have something to do with the fact that you don't know a decent hockey team when you see one. Forget the Orca's and get underground with the Oil. Now that financial sanity is going to be forced on the game, I predict another dynasty forthwith.
Thanks to all for your replies. They're cold comfort, but I guess misery loves company (or how else do explain Leaf fans?) |
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canucktechie
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
Posts: 343
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:52 am Post subject: |
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Sorry for the misquote. The web site / browser did it, not me. 
As for the logo, I just wanted something that matched my handle. I was up at 4 am cheering on the Flames last year! |
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