UK ELT Sector Faces Flat Growth: Calls for Innovation, Quality, and Policy Support

The UK remains the leading destination for English language teaching (ELT), but enrolments are stagnating—reaching only 70% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Industry experts urge schools to shift focus from purely academic offerings to more experiential, travel-based experiences that appeal to student interests.

Junior learners dominate the UK market (60%), and students increasingly seek programs combining English with other disciplines like coding and STEM. Rising costs, fewer host families, and teacher shortages are intensifying pressures on providers.

Leaders emphasise prioritising quality over quantity, reducing oversupply, and rethinking staffing—placing more value on activities managers than academic directors. There is cautious optimism that extending the Youth Mobility Scheme to EU countries could revitalize the sector, though no policy changes are currently planned.

Meanwhile, Asia and Latin America represent key untapped growth markets.