{"id":858230,"date":"2026-08-14T21:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T21:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/858230\/"},"modified":"2026-08-14T21:00:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T21:00:14","slug":"canadas-language-students-fall-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/858230\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada\u2019s language students fall 13%"},"content":{"rendered":"

Canada\u2019s\u00a0official languages programs\u00a02025 annual report<\/a>\u00a0has revealed a 13% decline in student numbers and a 19% drop in student weeks last year,\u00a0citing unpredictable visa policy as the main driver of decline.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Languages Canada\u00a0survey\u00a0of 160 member programs made for \u201csobering\u201d reading, said the organisation\u2019s executive director Gonzalo Peralta, laying blame squarely on\u00a0federal government\u2019s policy decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe sector is now in a state of crisis,\u201d said Peralta: \u201cWhile\u00a0economic\u00a0uncertainty and increased international competition contributed to the downturn, it is the\u00a0policy environment\u00a0that most decisively undermined the sector\u2019s stability and growth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Data: Languages Canada<\/p>\n

The survey found Languages Canada members welcomed fewer than 82,000 students\u00a0who completed\u00a0nearly 799,000\u00a0student weeks in 2025 \u2013\u00a0a\u00a0year of sharp declines\u00a0building\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a015% drop<\/a>\u00a0in student\u00a0numbers recorded in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The\u00a0findings \u201creflect not only shifting global conditions, but most critically, the direct impact of restrictive and unpredictable government immigration and visa policies,\u201d said Peralta. \u201cThese policy decisions have significantly reduced enrolments, forcing programs to scale back operations and, in some cases, close entirely.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Following the implementation of\u00a0study permit caps<\/a>\u00a0in January 2024, Canadian colleges,\u00a0universities\u00a0and language programs have\u00a0faced increasingly restrictive immigration policies and visa\u00a0barriers,\u00a0with Canada\u2019s\u00a0study permit approval rating\u00a0falling to 36%<\/a>\u00a0last year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The report found member programs\u2019 direct economic contributions fell by 1% to CA$1.03 billion, marking a less drastic decrease than the previous year\u2019s 13% drop.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite challenges, Peralta hailed the \u201cresilience\u201d of Canadian providers. \u201cPublic programs managed to\u00a0maintain\u00a0relatively stable\u00a0enrolments compared to 2024, and institutions have expanded online and hybrid offerings.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The report makes it unmistakably clear that the sector is now in a state of crisis<\/p>\n

Gonzalo Peralta, Languages Canada <\/p>\n

But he said the consequences of sustained declines were being felt across the country, with institutions \u201cstruggling to maintain viability\u201d\u00a0and\u00a0communities losing\u00a0the economic and cultural benefits they provide.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Of the near-82,000 language students, the overwhelming majority (92%) came to Canada to learn English, while French language student made up 8% of the total.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Private programs dominated the sector, accounting for over three quarters of language programs, while international students (93%) significantly outnumbered domestic students (7%).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Japan\u00a0retained\u00a0its position as the top source country, sending\u00a0nearly 12,000\u00a0students, followed by Brazil, South Korea and Mexico, the report found.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2025, 40% of students entered Canada using an\u00a0electronic\u00a0travel\u00a0authorisation (eTA), while 21% travelled on a temporary resident visa and 13% of students entered on a study permit.\u00a0The\u00a0remainder\u00a0had Canadian citizenship or permanent residence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2025, a regulation requiring two separate study permits for students attending two institutions \u2013 for example, a language school followed by a college or university \u2013 was implemented,\u00a0\u201cpractically destroying\u201d pathway programs in Canada, Peralta previously told\u00a0The\u00a0PIE News.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

In response, a Joint Pathway Program (JPP) was launched\u00a0early this year, bringing together private language schools and post-secondary institutions to support seamless student transition,\u00a0which aims to transform language education in Canada.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the same time, the report doubled down on the need for sector and government messaging that restores confidence in Canada as a welcoming study destination.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cContinued investment in quality, market diversification, and innovative recruitment will remain important, but these efforts can succeed only if policy-driven barriers to student access are addressed,\u201d it\u00a0stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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