Stay up to date with the latest developments in international education with EdNews! Each month, we bring you essential updates on campus openings, relocations, mergers, new programs, team announcements, promotional opportunities for Edvisor agencies, and all the relevant news in the field of international education. 

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• Learn French Online with ILAC KISS French + ATPA

• Inlingua Malta Celebrates 45 Years of Language Learning Excellence
  

• New US Visa Fee Could Affect Student Recruitment

• Australia Plans New Reforms for International Education
  

• Student Numbers Rise Slightly for South Africa’s ELT Sector

• EAP Programs in Canada Linked to Stronger Student Outcomes

  
  

   

Learn French Online with ILAC KISS French + ATPA

ILAC has launched a new online French program in partnership with ATPAL Languages, explicitly designed for adult learners who want to improve their French for permanent residency, citizenship, or career opportunities in Canada.

The ILAC KISS French program officially launched on June 2, 2025, and offers a flexible and accessible learning path from beginner to intermediate levels (A1 to B2).

Courses are delivered live online in small interactive groups, led by certified Canadian teachers. Students benefit from 20 lessons per week, typically spread across four days, with schedules adapted to different time zones.

The ATPAL teaching method is known for helping students rapidly improve their speaking and listening skills, even with limited prior experience.

Students can also attend a free demo class each month to experience the format and teaching style before enrolling.

The program offers several advantages for students and partners:

• Study from anywhere with a fully online format

• Practical, goal-oriented instruction focused on communication

• ILAC’s award-winning support services, including admissions guidance and ongoing student care

• Designed as a pathway to integration in Canada, supporting academic, professional, and immigration goals

ILAC KISS French is ideal for students seeking a flexible, effective way to become bilingual, while preparing for long-term success in Canada. Learn more here. 

Inlingua Malta Celebrates 45 Years of Language Learning Excellence

Inlingua Malta is celebrating a significant milestone: 45 years of delivering high-quality English language education in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Since opening in 1979, Inlingua has grown from a small school into one of Malta’s most respected names in the ELT sector. Over the decades, it has welcomed students from around the world, creating a truly international learning community focused on academic success, cultural exchange, and personal growth.

As part of its anniversary celebrations, the school reflects on the long-standing partnerships that have helped shape its journey. Collaboration with agents, educators, and institutions worldwide has been key to delivering a learning experience that goes beyond the classroom.

Academic excellence, student support, and innovation remain at the heart of Inlingua’s approach. The school is committed to adapting to the needs of today’s learners while staying true to the values that have defined its legacy.

Inlingua also believes in the importance of learning beyond the classroom. Through a wide range of cultural, social, and recreational activities, students explore Malta’s unique charm,  from sunny beaches to historical sites and local traditions, making their experience both educational and enjoyable.

As it looks to the future, Inlingua Malta is excited to welcome new generations of students and partners, and to continue contributing to Malta’s reputation as a top destination for English language learning.

Congratulations to the entire Inlingua Malta community, students, partners, educators, and staff, on reaching this impressive 45-year milestone.

New US Visa Fee Could Affect Student Recruitment

The United States has introduced a new "visa integrity fee" for international students and exchange visitors. This fee is part of the recently approved “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” and applies to F-1, M-1, and J-1 visas issued between now and September 30, 2025.

The fee will be at least $250, though the Department of Homeland Security will set the final amount. Starting in 2026, it will automatically increase with inflation. The fee cannot be waived or reduced; unless refunded, the money will be sent directly to the US Treasury.

Students who fully comply with their visa conditions, including not working without authorization and leaving the US on time, may be eligible for a refund. However, the process for collecting the fee and issuing refunds has not yet been announced.

The new law also increases the ESTA fee for travellers from visa-waiver countries, raising it from $21 to $40, though no start date has been confirmed. In addition, a $30 fee will be introduced for Chinese nationals using the EVUS system with B1/B2 visitor visas.

In 2024, 17% of students at US English language schools entered using an ESTA, suggesting the changes could have a significant impact on short-term programs and mobility planning.

Australia Plans New Reforms for International Education

The Australian government has announced plans to introduce new reforms aimed at strengthening integrity in the international education sector. These changes are expected to be a legislative priority in the 2025/26 cycle, according to a recent update from the Department of Education.

The focus will be on updating the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000. The goal is to improve protections for international students, prevent misuse of the migration system, and ensure that only genuine students and providers are part of the ecosystem.

These changes build on reforms already introduced in 2024, including Ministerial Direction 111, which adjusts visa processing priorities based on how close institutions are to their indicative student caps.

The government has stated that international education is critical to Australia’s economy and academic reputation, and that it will continue working with the sector to shape long-term strategies and policies.

While a previous reform bill was rejected in late 2024, several of its proposals may return. These included:

• Rules on cross-ownership between institutions and agencies

• Stricter registration requirements for providers

• More transparency on agent commissions and activity

• A ban on commissions when students transfer between institutions within Australia

The re-elected Labour government has also created a new junior ministerial position focused on international education. Julian Hill MP, a long-standing advocate in the field, has been appointed to the role. Hill brings prior experience from the Council for International Education and Study Melbourne.

More details on how these changes will be implemented are expected in the coming months.

Student Numbers Rise Slightly for South Africa’s ELT Sector

English language schools in South Africa saw modest growth in 2024, according to the latest annual report from English South Africa (ESA). Both student enrolments and student weeks increased compared to 2023, with Saudi Arabia and Brazil leading the growth.

ESA member schools welcomed 9,585 students in 2024, marking a 1.5% increase from the previous year. This figure remains just below the pre-pandemic level of 10,068 students in 2019.

Student weeks rose by 3.4% to 63,144, getting close to the sector’s 2019 record of 66,300.

Saudi Arabia remained the top source country with 3,811 students (up 24%) and accounted for nearly half of all student weeks with 31,061, a 27.2% increase. Brazil followed with 1,517 students and 6,021 student weeks, reflecting a 16% year-on-year growth.

Other key student sources included Angola (928 students), Germany (436) and France (411).

By region, there was strong growth in student weeks from Central & South America (up 17%) and the Middle East (up 20.9%). However, Europe dropped by 30.1% and Africa fell by 10.8%.

Agent-based recruitment also increased. In 2024, 75.8% of students were recruited via agents, compared to 68% the previous year. The Middle East showed the highest agent usage at 93.1%, followed by Europe (76.5%) and Central & South America (77.1%).

Looking ahead, Cape Town is currently seeing strong demand, according to ESA Chair Ilse Liebenberg, who remains optimistic about further growth in 2025.

However, the sector continues to face a major challenge. Despite being compliant and accredited, ESA schools are not yet officially recognized as ‘learning institutions’ eligible to enrol international students on student visas. The association has submitted a request for a regulatory waiver under Section 31(2)(c) of South Africa’s Immigration Act and is awaiting a response from the government.

English South Africa, formerly known as Education South Africa, represents 12 ELT centres and is a member of GAELA (Global Alliance of Education & Language Associations), where Ilse Liebenberg currently serves as Co-Chair.

 EAP Programs in Canada Linked to Stronger Student Outcomes

A new report by Languages Canada highlights the vital role of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs in helping international students succeed at public colleges and universities across the country.

The study, conducted by Academia Group, analyzed data from six universities and three colleges over five years. It found that students who completed an EAP program performed better academically and were more likely to stay enrolled than those who entered directly into a degree without language preparation.

At the university level, EAP students had a Year 2 retention rate of 86%, compared to 82.7% for non-EAP students. Their average GPA in Year 1 was 2.8, slightly higher than the 2.6 for non-EAP peers. In colleges, EAP students performed on par with direct-entry students, despite starting with lower English proficiency, once other factors were accounted for.

The findings suggest that EAP programs provide a fair and effective path into postsecondary education, especially for students who do not initially meet language requirements.

Languages Canada noted that these results challenge common misconceptions that EAP students underperform. The findings are especially relevant as the sector deals with low study permit approval rates and a 56% drop in pathway program enrolments in 2024, following Canada’s new cap on international study permits.

According to the report, EAP programs offer more than language training. They support students' academic integration and help them adapt to life on campus and in the local community.

At the university level, most EAP students moved into arts and humanities programs (33%), followed by social sciences, business, sciences, and engineering. Nearly 90% of university EAP students were from China, while in colleges, the top countries were China (34%), Vietnam (23%), and South Korea, Iran, and Hong Kong in smaller numbers.

This is the first multi-institutional analysis of EAP effectiveness in Canada. It included data from over 100,000 students, providing solid evidence of the positive academic impact of EAP programs in both sectors.

Languages Canada represents 170 accredited language providers across Canada in both the public and private sectors.