Province Protects International Students in Language Schools

The province is taking steps to make sure international students studying at language schools in Nova Scotia receive a high-quality education.

Labour and Advanced Education Minister Frank Corbett will introduce the Language Schools Act today, April 23, that will require language schools to offer a certain quality of education and protect the students' investment if a school closes.

"Our priority is students. We value our international students and they should not have to worry about the quality of their education," said Mr. Corbett. "This legislation will protect students and allow them to study at schools that value high-quality education for as long as it takes to complete their studies."

The province works with its partners to ensure all post-secondary institutions are delivering quality programs. This legislation extends that quality assurance to include language schools.

Nova Scotia is the first province to introduce legislation that will regulate language schools.

"Today's bill will also protect Nova Scotia's reputation as an education destination for international students," said Mr. Corbett.

East Coast School of Languages president Sheila Nunn said the legislation demonstrates the provincial government's recognition of the significant contribution that accredited language schools make, both culturally and financially, to the Nova Scotia economy.

"This commitment to our sector will help support and strengthen our overseas recruitment efforts to attract more international students to Nova Scotia for language training," said Ms. Nunn.

There are 12 language schools in Nova Scotia with about 1,500 students.

This legislation will align with the federal government's changes to their international student program that will require language schools across the country to be designated to accept international students on study permits for programs over six months.