Despite extraordinary efforts to position the sector for full recovery in 2022, Languages Canada members reached only 65% of pre-pandemic student numbers and 73% of student week volume. While recovery was hampered by external factors—namely extended visa backlogs—we see tremendous potential for growth in the coming years thanks to our sector's resilience, innovation, and growing sphere of influence.
2023 will continue to be a year of rebuilding and we look forward to 2024 as the year we reach full recovery through new and innovative offers from Languages Canada, our members, and the Canadian government.
Here are some key findings from the 2022 Annual Report on Language Education in Canada.
Student numbers
- In 2022, Languages Canada members taught a total of 97,679 students, who cumulatively spent 1,098,558 weeks studying English or French in Canada.
- English language programs enrolled 95% of all students and accounted for 96% of all student weeks.
- Between 2021 and 2022, student numbers in the private sector recovered faster than student weeks (+98% vs +77%). At the same time, a 10% decline in the number of public sector students was accompanied by a 6% drop in student weeks.
- By the end of 2022, the public sector had recovered 40% of its pre-pandemic student numbers and 40% of student weeks, while the private sector had recovered 73% of student numbers and 89% of student weeks.
Source markets
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In 2022, South America was the top source region for Languages Canada members, accounting for 42% of all students. The number of students from this region doubled from 2021. Furthermore, it outpaced Asia, which showed a more modest increase between 2021 and 2022 (+60%).
- Japan was the top source market in 2022, experiencing a 95% year-on-year growth. Brazil and Mexico, in second and third positions respectively, saw a surge in student numbers. 12,372 students came from Brazil, a considerable increase from the 4,326 in 2021. A total of 11,754 students from Mexico studied English or French in Canada in 2022.
- Of the top 20 source markets, five have already exceeded pre-pandemic student numbers. Except for Brazil and Mexico, all top source markets from South America have already exceeded their pre-pandemic volumes: Colombia (176%), Chile (215%), Peru (256%), and Ecuador (215%).
- European markets, albeit much smaller in volume than leading Asian and South American markets, also experienced a significant rebound in student numbers. Of these, France had the greatest rebound of student numbers, reaching 84% of 2019 volume. At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest recovery level was seen in Turkey at 45%.
For more key findings, download the report’s Executive Summary, which is available free to everyone.
