The simultaneous closure of two major language school networks in Canada — ILAC and EC English — shocked the international community and clearly revealed the problems of the education sector in Canada and in Vancouver in particular. Language schools in the province and the country are being forced to revise their operating standards and change their business models in order to stay afloat.
Why language schools are closing
There are several reasons for this:
- Tightening immigration rules and visa policy. As a result, the flow of international students is shrinking, and they are the main source of income for language schools.
- A weakening of international academic migration overall, driven by economic, social, and political factors.
- A difficult global economic situation: it forces language centers to raise prices, but not all students can already afford long-term or expensive courses.
- The growth of online education and transnational education (TNE).
How the education market in Canada is changing right now
Studying English in Vancouver has always been a popular academic destination. International students came to a large, developed English-speaking city, while Canadians chose programs for personal and professional development and upskilling.
Right now the sector is facing several factors at once, each of which threatens the stability of the situation. Federal restrictions are narrowing the market and regulating it more strictly. Against this backdrop, even large networks find it harder to attract students «the old way» by opening new campuses and scaling their network of educational programs — that no longer guarantees business stability.
Which educational models look optimal right now? How can schools cope with the difficulties that have arisen?
- Strengthening of state educational institutions with their own language centers. This is not a guarantee, but they can rely on government support in places where the commercial sector struggles.
- Small private schools will stay afloat (for example, The Language Space, English for Canada): fewer campuses, no need to maintain their own residences, a smaller staff of personnel and teachers — the lower the standard operating costs, the more stable the budget.
- A rise in highly specialized educational programs aimed at students' specific, clear-cut goals. Not everyone will still be able to afford to learn the language for casual communication, spending 30-50 weeks on it, but courses such as business English, TOEFL preparation, courses for educators, and CELPIP will remain in demand, since their category of students isn't going anywhere. Such students are focused on a specific result, so they will choose particular programs, possibly supplementing them with individual lessons.
- A rise in online learning. This makes perfect sense: why come to Canada and take on a pile of extra expenses if you can pay just for the course and study from a convenient location? The benefit and convenience are obvious. So it's the competitive, specific programs (such as TOEFL preparation) that will most actively move into an online format.
Of course, the value of offline education isn't going anywhere: language immersion, natural daily practice, constant communication with native speakers, and getting to know the culture and traditions of a new country — these wonderfully reinforce the effectiveness of classroom learning. However, when options narrow, the main goal remains: to learn the language, and everything else is chosen according to the student's own wishes.
Vancouver remains a major education hub
Yes, the news is worrying, but it's too early to write Vancouver off — it remains a major hub for international education, including language education. Languages Canada brings together more than 160 accredited language programs across nine provinces, so it's safe to say that Canada's core educational infrastructure is holding up.
The market structure, demand, and learning formats are changing. When choosing a language school, it's no longer enough to look only at its scale and how many years it has been operating: it's important to clarify program details in order to thoroughly settle on the most effective course, and to ask how the school's activities are regulated and whether student protection is provided. Vancouver's education market is already starting to adapt to a more compact and digital market, strengthening its personalized approach. Experts suggest it can emerge from the current difficult situation renewed and more efficient.
