Recession Lowers New York Language Program Enrollment

MANHATTAN -- Since he arrived in the U.S. from Russia, Dmitry Tolstuougov has taken up the challenge of learning English, at two different programs.

Dmitry Tolstouogove, 46, is a student at the International Center in New York. 

He has been in the Conversation Partnership program for the past four months.  

“I was told my English is too good [for the other program],” Tolstuougov said.  “I never really studied there.”

For the millions of immigrants in New York City, learning English is a gateway to a better life and a better job.  Despite the many opportunities language instruction can provide, New York language schools were unable to avoid the effects of the recession.

The New York Language Center's (NYLC) local enrollment and staff per student ratio has decreased since 2007.

“The streets just aren’t as teeming with people as they were,” said Jim Shafer, information service manager. “Frankly, our numbers and every school’s numbers from that background are down.”

Vanessa Moronta is a student advisor of the New York
 Language Center’s Manhattan branch.  Overseas
enrollment at the branch dropped off quickly in 2007,
 but began to rise in 2009 to pre-recession numbers,
where it is today.

Before the recession, the majority of students at NYLC were local residents. This ratio flipped as 90 percent of the students at the midtown Manhattan branch are international students visiting the country on an F1 visa. These visas are given to students traveling abroad for the purpose of pursuing their studies.

Approximately 6,000 students have enrolled this past year at NYLC’s four branches, located in Midtown Manhattan, the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx.

Executive Director Barbara Dick said the number of students has dropped at every branch, as much as 30 percent at the Queens branch. The Midtown Manhattan branch has been successful in bringing the numbers back to pre-recession rates.

“We have to keep the program affordable, because it’s a very competitive market,” Shafer said.

Aside from language classes, programs similar
 to the International Center in New York frequently
 offer courses in business, culture, and U.S. history.

More than 100 language schools and programs operate in Manhattan alone. While the majority of language programs hire professors, the International Center in New York relies almost entirely on volunteers from the community.  Tolstuougov studies at the center through their Conversation Partner program.

“My wife said that my language is getting better. I might be here until August, it depends if I find a job,” Tolstuougov said.

A local resident studying at NYLC will usually pay $250 to $300 for a five-week course that meets 10 hours per week. International students pay more because they are required by law and the FI visa to study through a program that is 20 hours per week or more.

Shafer said NYLC is much more academic than a regular ESL program. The philosophy of its director, Rosa Fernandez, is to have students immersed in the English language. Students are only allowed to speak English in the classroom.

“We’re much more nuts and bolts…speak English, learn it that way,” Shafer said.