English UK has given a guarded welcome to the Government's new tourism policy. While welcoming the Coalition's commitment to developing the tourist industry and improving visitors' experience at passport control and in applying for visas, chief executive Tony Millns says the policy is at odds with its desire to cut international student numbers.

The sections likely to be of most interest to language centres are those on improving tourist visas and passport control, the intention to increase the popularity of destinations outside London, and plans to reform the way tourist boards operate.

Nine members of staff and 52 students remain unaccounted for in a language school which collapsed during the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand. English UK has sent messages of support and condolence to the King's Education language school and English New Zealand.

The strong interest from within the sector for self-improvement and continuous development at this year's ELT Management Conference in Manchester on 4 - 5 March 2011 is further evidence of the positive impact and wash back effects of the UK's national accreditation scheme, Accreditation UK. Two highly-respected inspectors and senior representatives of the Accreditation Unit will be leading sessions designed to help member centres to continue to improve their performance, efficiency and service.  

We are happy to inform all members of English UK that IATEFL is holding a Pre-Conference event on Friday, 15 April 2011 starting at 10.00am.

Please note you do not need to attend the main event to sign up for this day. To download further information please click here.

Furthermore, IATEFL is hosting an "English for Specific Purposes Special Interest Group" Pre-Conference event on the same day. Please click here to download the programme of speakers and talks for the day.

English UK is delighted to announce that the British Council is hosting a couple of fantastic seminars in March. The first session out of three, "Unplugging (with) the coursework", will take place in Glasgow on Tuesday 8 March followed by the second session held in London on Tuesday 15 March with the title, "Special Needs and Inclusive Learning - Celebrating and Working with Difference". The last session on the topic of "Café culture in ELT: the importance of reading for pleasure", will be held on 22 March in Brighton.