ALTO polled education agencies and language schools about business prognosis and also found that business results for the last quarter (Q4) fared well. More than half of the 219 education institutions participating in the survey reported growing number of students in Q4 2011 compared with 2010, while 23% stayed at the same level and only 21% had worse results.

For the same period, 46% of the 383 agencies who completed the survey reported growth and 28% stable numbers with only 20% reporting declining numbers.

One of ALTO’s new initiatives is to engage language travel organisations in an industry-wide “Pulse”. “This will be a useful trend and mood indicator to all business owners and leaders,” commented ALTO’s board member, Sue Blundell.

The sample also revealed that the majority of the school respondents were deemed small language schools, teaching less than 10,000 students weeks annually. As well as Argentinean operators, German and US language schools were also optimistic about Q1.

Agencies in Pakistan and Nepal registered the strongest declines in student numbers

Looking in more detail at responses from education agencies, those in Pakistan and Nepal registered the strongest declines in student numbers, year on year, Q4 2011. Those feeling most positive about business in Q1 included all Colombian and Ukrainian businesses! Brazilian and Italian agencies were also exceedingly upbeat with over 90% of businesses registering a positive outlook.

The Association of Language Travel Organisations (ALTO) is a directors-level club for businesses active in the study abroad industry: both education agencies sending students overseas and education institutions teaching them.