Columbia West College in Los Angeles is thrilled to announce the release of its revolutionary English Speaking System (ESS) starting in 2024, now available for enrollment. This innovative program is designed to transform students into fluent and confident English speakers.

The ESS program addresses the limitations of traditional teaching methods, which often involve one teacher for many students, making it difficult for learners to improve their speaking skills. Columbia West College's new system incorporates three times the number of teachers, six times the speaking opportunities, and nine times the feedback and error corrections, ensuring an unparalleled learning experience.

Developed over three years of research and development, the ESS program features an integrated, output-focused curriculum emphasizing speaking practice. Continuous feedback loops exponentially enhance students' speaking abilities, setting this program apart from the grammar-heavy approaches of most other English schools.

Edvisor agents can access more detailed information about this groundbreaking program on Edvisor. This is an exceptional opportunity for students to improve their English speaking proficiency significantly.

Don't miss this video to learn more about the Columbia West College ESS Program!

Canada Resets Part-Time Work Rights to 24 Hours Per Week 

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed the end of the unlimited work rights policy introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting in September, international students can work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week. Minister Marc Miller announced this change, which ends the temporary policy that allowed students to work beyond regular restrictions, effective April 30, 2024.

Minister Miller stated that the new limit is an increase from the pre-COVID cap of 20 hours. "Students who come to Canada must be here to study. Allowing them to work up to 24 hours per week ensures they can focus primarily on their studies while having the option to work if necessary," said the IRCC.

The government considered students' needs, policies in rival destinations, and research on the impact of work on academic outcomes, finding that working over 28 hours per week can significantly harm academic performance.

Minister Miller emphasized, "Working off campus helps international students gain experience and offset expenses. However, students must prioritize their studies. We will continue protecting the integrity of our student program."

Additionally, last December, IRCC doubled the savings international students must show when applying for a study permit.

Click here to access the IRCC statement on changes to in-study work rights for international students.

Australia Plans Limits on International Student Enrolment

Australia's government has unveiled new legislation allowing the Minister for Education to set caps on international student enrolments, effective May 11, 2024. This initiative aims to manage student numbers and reduce pressure on the rental market by requiring universities to provide additional student accommodation if they exceed enrolment limits.

The legislation, part of a broader strategy to tighten the education sector, also grants the power to pause new provider and course applications, prevent schools from owning agencies, and prohibit commissions on student transfers.

The government will collaborate with education providers to implement these caps, mainly targeting the higher education and vocational sectors. Due to their lower infrastructure impact, exceptions may be considered for postgraduate research degrees and non-award courses.

Industry reactions have been mixed, with concerns over high visa refusal rates and potential job losses. Critics argue that these measures might harm Australia’s reputation as a welcoming study destination.

For more details, visit the government statement and the draft framework.