December saw the largest delegation to ever visit Languages Canada, consisting of thirty-six agents from Spain and Italy. The Italian Association of Language Consultants and Agents, the Spanish Association of Promoters of Language Courses Abroad, and CAPS-I collaborated on the operation.
Languages Canada stated that the mission was organized because European agents were “looking to diversify” in response to the overabundance of students in Malta and Ireland and the UK’s stricter entry requirements.
This comes as the association’s first- to third-quarter data for 2023 shows that the number of Italian students enrolled in English language courses in Canada increased by an astounding 358%, while Spain’s increased by 275%.
Agents were invited to Banff, Alberta, where agents and institutions convened for focused meetings. Languages Canada calculated that the event resulted in nearly 1,000 meetings.
Diego Sanchez, the organization’s director of international affairs, stated, “I hear from agents first-hand – they only send students to schools they personally know. Only by bringing them to Canadian soil, where they can witness the splendor of our nation and the caliber of Canada’s recognized language programs, can we attain that degree of confidence.”
The agents were also given a brief overview of a number of language schools, high schools, and universities, including well-known establishments like Oxford International and ILAC in Vancouver, in addition to the University of Victoria and International Gateway Language Academy in Calgary.
“The opportunity to meet numerous Canadian language schools, high schools, and universities during the B2B days, as well as to visit some of them during the travel days between Banff, Calgary, Victoria, and Vancouver, was greatly appreciated by all of the IALCA agents,” IALCA agent Paolo Barilari stated. “The perfect organization was also much appreciated.”
“Visiting multiple colleges and universities and personally witnessing the exceptional caliber of the Canadian educational system will be two factors that will be of great assistance in marketing destination Canada to our clients,” he went on.
According to the report’s fourth quarter forecast, Italy will grow as a source market for English language courses in Canada by at least 28%. Spain will grow by 12% as well as compared to 2022.
In addition, agents enjoyed lunch at Sulphur Mountain and a FAM trip that included views of the Canadian Rockies mountain range.