Making intensive reading work: Practical strategies for the English language classroom

ELICOS Under Siege

Australia's international education sector, valued at over $40 billion annually, relies heavily on ELICOS programs as an entry point for overseas students. But in 2025, these English language courses suffered a sharp decline, with commencements falling 44% year-to-date through July. This downturn stems from policy shifts aimed at curbing migration, including a student visa application fee that doubled to $2000 in mid-2025—the highest globally. For short-term ELICOS courses averaging 13 weeks and costing $4000-$6000, this fee represents up to 40% of total expenses, deterring applicants from key markets like Japan, Taiwan, and Spain.

High visa rejection rates, hovering at 24-25% for standalone ELICOS applications, compound the issue. Unlike higher education visas granted at 93%, ELICOS faces stricter scrutiny under Ministerial Directions 111 and 115, which prioritize processing based on provider allocations and integrity measures. These policies, introduced to combat exploitation in longer-term study, inadvertently penalize short-term language programs that do not contribute to net overseas migration figures. As a result, providers report the lowest visa grants in 20 years, leading to closures like IH Sydney Training Services and Lonsdale Institute.

The fallout extends beyond economics. ELICOS serves as a pipeline to universities, with many students progressing to degrees after language preparation. The sector's contraction threatens this flow, potentially reducing overall international student diversity and revenue. Job losses estimated at 5,000 ripple through urban centers like Sydney and Melbourne, where language schools cluster. Without intervention, such as the proposed 50% fee cut for courses under 12 months, independent providers warn of sector-wide extinction within 12-24 months.

Amid these pressures, teaching methodologies gain renewed importance. Stricter visa English requirements—raised to IELTS 6.0 overall in 2025—demand stronger foundational skills, particularly in reading comprehension. Intensive reading strategies, focusing on detailed text analysis, become critical for helping learners navigate complex academic and real-world materials. Yet, the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT and NSWEduChat offers both aid and challenge: they personalize tasks but risk undermining deep engagement if not balanced with traditional methods.

Tensions abound between stakeholders. Government aims for sustainable growth, capping new commencements at 295,000 for 2026—a 25,000 increase from 2025—but peak bodies like English Australia and IEAA argue policies overlook ELICOS's low migration impact. Providers face a trade-off: adapt to fewer students with innovative, AI-enhanced teaching, or fold under financial strain. Non-obvious angles include cultural ripple effects; fewer language students mean reduced outbound exchanges for Australians and diminished soft power through global alumni networks.