The network of independent language schools and colleges held agent workshops in Madrid and Rome during March, the first it’s hosted in-person in over two years.

“We were thrilled to be able to return to Madrid and Rome and reunite some of our schools with a wonderful range of agencies from all over Europe,” QE chief executive, Jonathan Swindell said in a statement.

A total of 25 QE/QED schools joined, with some 50 agents from Spain and Italy, as well as Hungary, France and a representative from the Baltic Council also in attendance.

Asked whether summer 2022 would be the big return for the English language sector, Swindell said that it is unlikely that numbers will return to pre-Covid levels yet.

“The signs are positive from various key markets,” he noted. “ELT will make a big return from the challenges of the last two years but it will still take time.

“The signs are positive from various key markets”

“Confidence is much higher than it was this time last year that’s for sure. Students are more confident about travel than before and fewer restrictions make the logistics easier.

“Some source markets are more cautious than others but there was certainly positivity at our recent missions to Spain and Italy.”

Some 19 QE schools from five countries – Ireland, Malta, USA, Canada and the UK – took part in Madrid, while 17 from four countries  – Ireland, Malta, USA and the UK – joined the event in Rome. In total, 11 QE schools attended both events.

“The timing was perfect as many of our schools were looking to work towards a busy summer and we’re delighted with the feedback from both the schools and the agents who attended,” Swindell added.

“We’re now very much looking forward to our next in-person events.”

See photos of the events here.