At the Tokyo Tourism Expo in Japan, IALC is delighted to be joined by Celestine Rowland, managing director for Galway Cultural Institute and IALC president from 2014-2017 and Anna France, managing director for Langports Language College Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney to discuss this unique event, industry trends and the IALC 2019 Seville Workshop.
IALC: Welcome to the Tokyo Tourism Expo 2018, how have you enjoyed the experience so far?
CR: I think the experience has been good so far. It’s always wonderful for IALC members to travel as a group of schools and create an impact. All the major players from the travel agency associations are here and it’s a great opportunity to meet and work with them in a formal and informal way.
AF: I agree, the first few days we have had the opportunity to engage with industry representatives of travel agencies and the second two days will be very interesting to meet the members of the public. It’s a lot of fun!
IALC: That’s exactly how we feel too. Tell us of your news for 2018 at Galway and Langports… and what can students expect from the 2019 season?
CR: I think the big news at Galway for the 2018 and 2019 season is that we are allowing more opportunities for students to give serious progression routes either to take international exams or to progress onto undergraduate business programmes in Galway Business School. We are also providing students with further ways to engage in Irish culture through mini-volunteer programmes in which students can take part in activities within the local community.
AF: The 2018 season at Langports has seen a real uptake in our English and Internship programmes within the Japanese market and there has been a lot of successful stories of Japanese students finding working opportunities after their stay at Lanports. Also this year we launched the first Platinum Programme, which is our new programme for senior students and in our January 2019 our second Platinum programme will begin.
IALC: Wonderful! Reconnecting with past students is clearly something both Galway and Langports really value, why is this so important?
CR: It is essential because students form a real connection with the school. I met a student in Tokyo yesterday, Sana Terada, who has just completed a Bachelor's programme at Galway Business School and was top of the class. She was a student at Galway for almost six years in total, almost two years as a language student and four years completing a Bachelors in International Business. She is now the brand ambassador for Jameson Irish Whiskey in Japan, one of an elite group to be appointed by thousands of applicants. Jameson & Sana are supporting IALC's presence at the Expo with a unique whiskey tasting experience on Saturday afternoon. We were also involved in the IALC Japanese Scholarship Programme this year and two of our Japanese scholarship award winners are coming to visit us this weekend. Successful stories such as these are really energising and we love meeting up with former students whenever possible.
AF: I do agree with you Celestine. Langports engages with our alumni in several different ways, but coming back to Japan and re-engaging with our students is really important and it’s something I do on a regular basis when I’m here. Actually at the Tokyo Tourism Expo, one of our past-students, who now works in a Hotel in the city has come along to say hello. She attended the school six years ago and is now successfully working and using her English studies on a daily basis.
Reconnecting with students is also important for our agent partners as well because the students often recommend the school to their friends and family members. If the student can recommend the great experience they had at Langports then they are also more than likely to recommend the agency that sent them there. A positive value for both parties.
IALC: The 2018 IALC Research Report revealed that 94% of students would recommend their experience at an IALC school to a friend, it seems as if students from Japan can really learn more than just a language at an IALC school…
AF: Students at Lanports get to learn about other cultures and it really helps them to open their minds to other mentalities around the world. Last year we had 53 nationalities across the three of our schools and students will only speak with one language in the school which is English. Students can meet with other language learners from all over the world in our schools and we feel that’s a really positive thing.
CR: Well to learn another language you need to immerse yourself in the culture and understand how people think, and that is what we provide in Galway. The big advantage of an IALC school is that they are independent. If a student is experiencing a problem, then a decision-maker is always on hand so that the problem can be solved easily.
IALC: And finally, are you looking forward to the IALC 2019 Seville Workshop in March next year?
CR: Absolutely! I just cannot wait. Seville will be an absolutely amazing destination and it is a great opportunity for agents from Japan to consider coming to Europe and experience a Workshop that is unlike anywhere other workshop in the industry because they meet owners and directors; the real decision makers; and have the opportunity to establish enduring partnerships.
AF: I am super excited to come to Seville too. It’s one of my favourite cities in Europe and I look forward to meeting existing and new partners too. It is an unmissable event for agencies!
We would like to thank both Celestine and Anna and we wish them well for the forthcoming year ahead!
