Policies in the UK introduced after the country left the European Union are limiting growth in ELT numbers, with Ireland and Malta gaining marketshare, stakeholders have suggested.

More needs to be done to allow young people from Europe to access internships in the UK, stakeholders have said, with a dedicated internship visa route mooted as one possible solution.

Data on the UK ELT sector’s markets has shown that a steady recovery is already underway, as figures overall are up by over 200% compared to last year.

The Gulf market for English language teaching providers is a “ very tough market to break”, but they must “get themselves out there,” a stakeholder familiar with the area said.

The UK ELT sector has celebrated four decades of its renowned inspection scheme Accreditation UK, jointly run by the British Council and English UK.

Some summer schools based in the UK have reported that some countries’ visitor visas have been delayed so much that students have not been able to attend, according to stakeholders.

The UK international education sector has widely praised the lifting of a rule requiring international students to register with the police.

The UK immigration minister slammed proposals by advocates for the UK ELT sector at a debate in Westminster, despite being warned that Malta and Ireland continue to attract students from EU market.