ILAC Students Go Coast to Coast: How ESL Students Contribute to the Canadian Economy

TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Every September, hundreds of English as Second Language students (ESL) from ILAC enter universities and colleges across Canada. They represent a growing number of international students who come to Canada to study English before continuing into higher education programs from coast to coast.

The International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC) is the most awarded English language school in the world and actively recruits over 10,000 students a year from 70 different countries.  Since starting its pre-degree program in 2005, ILAC has signed pathway agreements with more than 50 Canadian universities and colleges, providing a steady flow of English proficient foreign students to post-secondary institutions across Canada.

"I expect to stay in Canada and get a job after I finish school," says Luis Tavarez, who is from the Dominican Republic and completed the ILAC pre-degree program.  "I learned many things about Canadian culture at ILAC that will help me succeed in university."  Luis is planning to go to Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia to study Business Management.  Other enrollments for ILAC students this fall include the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, George Brown College in Toronto, University of Regina in Saskatchewan and Royal Roads University in Victoria.

Not all Canadians realize the power and potential of the international education industry, which contributes $8 billion to the Canadian economy.  And competition is fierce - despite its reputation as a safe and welcoming study destination, Canada ranks fourth after the UK, USA and Australia in attracting full-paying and talented students.

Most international students require additional English language training before they can enrol in university or college.  According to Languages Canada, the association of accredited language schools in Canada, short-term study at language schools is worth an estimated $1.4 billion.  In addition to tuition, foreign students pay out of pocket for housing, meals and textbooks, creating thousands of jobs.  International students contribute a further $336 million to Canadian tourism.

The Canadian government recently announced that it plans to double its number of international students over the next 10 years.   Approximately 239,000 international students are currently enrolled in full-time paid programs across Canada.

For photos and quotes see:  http://www.ilac.com/newsroom/

For student testimonials see: http://www.ilac.com/voice/view.php?galId=105&catId=100&vid=JtOPApCzVaA

SOURCE: ILAC - International Language Academy of Canada

Bogumila Lapinski Anaya
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Email:  [email protected]
Website:  http://www.ilac.com/