The shape of the ELT market in 2020, the Government's analysis of the importance of education exports, and an insider's view on how to increase student numbers from Brazil are just three of the highlights at this year's English UK annual conference.

There will also be a session on the relationship between English language and dictionaries, an analysis of market trends in the coming years... and a talk on breaking all the rules of marketing, which had to be abandoned after two attempts at English UK's marketing conference in February after a power cut and then a fire alarm.

Alice Marcolin, English UK's membership manager who is organising the conference, said: "We're looking forward to some fantastic sessions which are going to include some very useful insights into how the market is developing, as well as strands on immigration, visas and marketing."

She added: "We're really hoping that it's third time lucky for Adrian Liley, when he presents his session on how to get business by doing it all the wrong way. A lot of delegates at the marketing conference were enjoying the way he was giving his talk despite the lack of lighting or power -- and were really disappointed when we had to abandon his session altogether because of a fire alarm. So we asked him to come and try again at the AGM. We're keeping our fingers crossed..."

The first day of the conference, on May 15, will include a chance to hear from two of the analysts working on the Government's Education Exports Industrial Strategy. Fran Spawls, the strand leader for ELT, and economic adviser Tom Strachan will be discussing their analysis and emerging findings about the English language sector.

There is also a session from Santuza Paolucci Bicalho, the CEO of the STB Student Travel Bureau, who will analyse the economic and social situation in Brazil to explain who and where the customers are for EL centres, and the key factors in tapping into that market.

A close look at market trends in the previous year and future developments will be provided in two sessions by English UK Chief Executive Tony Millns.

Ways in which the immigration landscape may change as a result of the remodelling of UKBA, and a look at policies including the ESVV, teaching general visitors and the educational oversight system will be considered by the panel which includes immigration law specialist Nichola Carter and IPPR research fellow Alice Sachrajda.

Another session promising to look at future trends will be presented by Samuel Vetrack, founder of StudentMarketing.

Subjects of more focused and practical sessions include "the dark arts" of language travel, and how to market your school; agents and VAT, how to eliminate visa refusals; assuring safe homestays; the practicalities of transnational delivery and projects, and the top ten tips on selling your language centre.
There are also two receptions: the annual Parliamentary evening on May 15, and a British Council-sponsored event to end the event on May 16.  

Book your conference place here

Book your place at the Parliamentary Reception here