English UK’s “inward mission” gave agents from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and Russia the opportunity to see the variety of English language summer school programmes offered by member schools around the country.
This month twelve agents spent a week travelling to summer centres housed in university campuses, private boarding schools, colleges and learning centers.
“Before they came, agents always fought for prices, since the cost of summer school programmes in the UK can vary from £400 to £2000 per week,” Sarah Wang International Manager for Young Learners English UK told The PIE News.
“This really helped them go beyond the brochures and understand the way English is taught and quality of the various programmes.”
During the mission, English UK member institutions showcased facilities, organised sample lessons and gave tours of the surrounding areas. Host centers also scheduled workshops where agents met with educators from around the UK.
Twelve agents spent a week traveling to summer centres housed in university campuses, private boarding schools, colleges and learning centers
Theresa Ho from Hong Kong-based British United Education Services Ltd said the trip was well organised and successfully introduced agents to a number of quality English centres.
“I have gained a good understanding of the operational side of the English centres and the availability of different (course) categories for our target markets,” she added.
English UK was first established in 2004 and now has 460 members. It organises two to three inward missions a year, spanning spring, summer and autumn.
The first summer school programme inward mission was organised by Young Learners English UK and the British Council China in 2010. Since then, six to 12 agents take part every year.
