New data from IIE Open Doors has suggested that the US’ ELT inbound program has finally begun to bounce back from a crippling pandemic.

Some 39,352 international students enrolled to 330 intensive English programs in the US in the 2021 calendar year, IIE figures show.

The ELT sector in the US was given a strong pat on the back from the State Department's Carolina Casagrande at the EnglishUSA conference - stakeholders said they felt emboldened that the government is showing its support.

There is evidence of enormous growth of pathway programs in the US

Difficult trading conditions in the last 12 months have contributed to a number of intensive English program closures and a dip in EnglishUSA membership re-enrolment figures.

In a survey of its members, English USA found nearly 80% of the IEPs that responded had seen a decline in their 2016 spring enrolments compared to the year before. Only 10% said they had more springtime enrolments in 2016.

We have this fine line as an organisation with a mission to balance national security but also provide the opportunity for legitimate students to come to the United States and attend legitimate schools. It’s a fine line.

US Intensive English Programs have learnt that their sector likely grew last year in terms of student numbers and weeks. According to preliminary data from IIE released at NAFSA 2013, a 10% incline for 2012 was experienced, with Saudi Arabia the most important student market followed by China and South Korea.