There is currently understandable anxiety among parents about the health of their children with the well-reported global increase in the transmission of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as ‘swine flu.’ But English Language Teaching (ELT) providers are operating as normal.

The Business Advisory Network for ‘flu, which has been established by the Cabinet Office and the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, gave a briefing to Government departments, agencies and key businesses on Tuesday of this week

VisitBritain, on behalf of TIER (Tourism Industry Emergency Reaction Group), is conducting a survey for businesses to monitor the impact of swine flu on UK tourism.

English UK members can contribute their observations until 26^th July and the top-line findings will be available at the end of the month. Here is the link http://www.tourismtrade.org.uk/swineflu/

The questionnaire results will be used to inform TIER regarding appropriate messaging and response measures. Anything you say will be treated as confidential.

Brazilian Police Captain Etiene Martins has just returned to work after two weeks improving his English for free in London after winning a Let Your English Grow scholarship.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has increased its influenza pandemic alert level to 6. This means that there is now evidence of increased and sustained human-to-human transmission of the swine flu virus across a number of global regions.