As the UK’s ELT market continues to become more competitive and tighter policy restrictions loom, providers are taking a holistic approach to the student experience as a way to maintain student numbers.
This month, over 70 UK-based non-academic language school staff including homestay and accommodation managers, social programme organisers, student services managers, registrars and staff dealing with bookings and visas attended English UK‘s first ‘Student Experience’ conference since 2007.
Held at the University of Sheffield, recently voted the number one university that students would recommend to a friend in the 2014 Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, delegates took home top tips from staff at the university’s English Language Teaching Centre.
Other highlights included the chance to quiz inspectors and staff from Accreditation UK and an ‘Open Space’ session which allowed delegates to voice their innermost concerns around student culture and behaviour, homestays, visas and student recruitment.
“It’s been good to have something for everyone not involved in the academic end of student experience, and to give them sessions dedicated to their interests as well as the opportunity to network,” said Huan Japes, English UK’s Deputy Chief Executive for Professional Services.
“It’s been good to have something for everyone not involved in the academic end of student experience”
English UK currently hosts around 60 training days throughout the year for both academic and non-academic staff as well as three certificated courses, but the Student Experience conference is unique in its approach to student experience solely outside of the classroom.
Based on the conference’s success, the association confirmed it is considering replicating the event in the south of England, with longer term plans to make it a regular occasion in its career development calendar.
