It was lovely to attend the Brunel Language Centre Parliamentary Reception, where I met Sally Trevor, the Director of Brunel Language Centre (BLC), Brunel University London.
When we met, we discussed how the UK's English language teaching sector (UK ELT) could contribute so much more to the UK's economy, healthcare system and international relations with just a few simple policy changes.
Their six recommendations:
- Widen career-enhancing travel opportunities for young people by expanding the Youth Mobility Scheme.
- Legalise short work placements on all ELT courses.
- Extend ID card travel for groups of under-18s from the EU.
- Recognise UK ELT's accreditation scheme for immigration purposes.
- Increase government marketing support for UK ELT.
- Increase rent-a-room relief to help address our capacity challenge.
Alongside the University degree programmes, BLC teaches English to adults from all over the world.
I met a lot of English language school staff from across the country, to hear about how I can support local jobs and tourism, especially here in Uxbridge and South Ruislip.
It was also fantastic to meet the team at English UK, who are the national association for accredited English language teaching (ELT) centres. The association represents 320 English language teaching centres across the UK.
As the MP for where the Language Centre is based, I will continue to support English UK and teachers for their commitment to contributing to the UK's economy, healthcare system and international relations.
