By REBECCA WALSH education reporter
International language schools around New Zealand are expanding in preparation for a big year in 2001.
An increasing number of foreign students are choosing to study in New Zealand, reversing a drop in rolls after the Asian economic crisis of 1997/98.
Anne Butler, chairwoman of the Federation of Independent English Language Schools, and principal of the Mt Maunganui Language Centre, said that in the first six months of the year the number of international students studying in the federation's 20 schools had increased 33 per cent on the previous six months to 5280.
"It's looking as if it could be coming up to a boom year again ... The bookings are looking very positive for everyone."
A study released last month said international students studying in New Zealand contributed $545 million a year to the economy in fees, accommodation, food, transport, books, appliances and other goods and services.
Ms Butler said the weak New Zealand dollar and the country's clean, green and safe image, along with the recovery of the Asian economy, had contributed to the increase in students.
Schools in Auckland and Christchurch were expanding their premises to cope.
Alan Chisholm, director of the Crown Institute of Studies in Auckland, said the institute was expanding its English language school capacity by 50 per cent to cater for 200 more students.
The institute set up its English language department in 1984, and it has grown from a handful of students to 400 international students.
A further 450 students, a quarter of them from overseas, were enrolled at its business and travel college.
Students were charged between $270 and $300 a week.
Enrolments for next year were "looking positive," but Mr Chisholm said it was difficult to predict more than three months ahead.
Japanese students made up the bulk of the school's international students, followed by Korean and Chinese.
Languages International director Chris Woolcott said his organisation was looking for new premises in inner city Auckland.
Its roll had suffered a 20 per cent dip during the Asian crisis in 1998 but had recovered to 442.
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