An entrepreneur is joining the UK study travel market by launching a new venture, Travelling Classroom, which will focus on travel as much as education, offering standardised or bespoke packages that enable English language students to strategically study the English language while visiting parts of Scotland, Ireland or England at the same time.
Evan Schiff, founder of the company, believes there is an opportunity in the sector for an education provider that values the travel experience as much as the English language tuition.
His previous experience piloting similar tours for a major player in the sector has convinced him that education agencies and their clients will love the concept and sign up for one of 20 trips he is running from 2014.
“There are a lot of young people who don’t want to go to Madame Tussaud’s, but who love travelling in a country and are keen to combine their two passions of travelling and learning a language,” said Schiff, who recently completed his MBA in the UK after taking a career break.
He has run ELT-on-the-go courses in the UK and USA (his native country), and explained that previous clients shared his own enthusiasm for trips such as hiking in the mountains or surfing in Hawaii.
“I believe there is an untapped market of young adults who are seeking a shorter experience that combines English education with travel,” he said, observing that his trips can be organised to suit time-strapped students, although most standard programmes will run from seven to 14 days.
Previous clients shared his enthusiasm for trips such as hiking in the mountains or surfing in Hawaii
He explained that “most of the larger chain schools require a minimum stays of two weeks. As a consequence, there is a significant gap in the market for those who desire a shorter and more interactive programme.”
Lessons are taught by CELTA qualified teachers and scheduled during the day and early evening and planned to suit the itinerary. Classes will be least three hours daily, 15 hours a week, equivalent to a general English course in a more traditional setting.
Outdoor adventures including hiking, kayaking or boat excursions are the centrepiece of the daily activities and another way to practise English with skilled instructors.
