English language school industry bodies merge

English language school industry bodies merge

11 April 2007

The two English language school industry bodies, ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND and the Association of Private Providers of English Language (APPEL) have agreed to merge. ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND will be the sole representative group for English language schools, public and private, from today.

“One industry body will help us to link our work on marketing, quality standards and government relations. ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND’s aim is to attract students profitably and sustainably into members’ schools, and we need to co-ordinate our efforts to make that happen,” said Angela Oliver, ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND Chairperson.

“APPEL has championed the interests of private English language schools, but ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND’s coverage of private and public schools will give it greater influence. The enormous support from APPEL members shows that this is the right move,” said Frances Woolcott, APPEL Chairperson.

Some APPEL members are still to vote on the proposal, but a substantial majority have voted unanimously for the merger and no dissent has been raised. APPEL will no longer take any public action, but will continue operations for a few months to deal with administrative issues. ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND is now the voice of the English language industry.

Background
In the year to March 2006 Statistics New Zealand reported the English language school industry as having $112m in tuition revenues from 35,749 students. Those students spent an estimated $225m in New Zealand.

ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND was established in 1986, as the Federation of Independent English Language Schools of New Zealand. Its main focus to date has been on offshore marketing activities and on ensuring high academic standards amongst its members.

APPEL was formed in 2001 and involved members of ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND, the now-defunct Combined Registered English Language Schools (NZ) and non-aligned private English language schools. It has focused almost entirely on government relations issues.

Most of APPEL’s members are also members of ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND. Since full membership of ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND has specific quality and marketing requirements that may not suit all English language schools, ENGLISH NEW ZEALAND has set up an associate membership package available to all English language schools. Associate members will contribute to, and have a full part in, government relations activities.

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