Youth migration spurs demand for foreign language coaching

Kochi: The rising trend of youth migration from Kerala to foreign shores has led to a notable increase in the number of foreign language coaching centres in the city. With students aiming for higher education and job prospects abroad, institutes are witnessing a sharp rise in enrolments, particularly for German and English language courses.
English remains the most sought-after language for those looking to move to countries like the UK, US and Canada. With Germany offering a tuition-free education system, even for international students, as well as a job market, a sharp rise in demand for German has captured the attention of educators and students alike.
"Although English language tests continue to see strong participation, the interest in German also skyrocketed. Many students are picking it up not just for education, but also for employment prospects," said Fr David Rodriguez, who runs Los Andes Institute of Management & Technology Trust at Kalamassery. Uncertainty in immigration policies in traditional English-speaking countries is nudging many youngsters towards Germany, he added. "Even those studying English are learning German to increase their chances of settling there," he notes.
Saleekha Hazeena, assistant manager at Traum Academy in Kadavanthra, confirms the trend. "While German and English dominate, we're also seeing a growing interest in French. Unlike German and English, people are opting for French as it could pave a more direct route to permanent residence in France," she said.
Meanwhile, Akhil Sadasivan, a Palakkad native, who recently completed the B2 level German proficiency examinations after being trained at an institute in Kochi, said language coaching, especially German, is booming in the city due to an increased opportunity in Germany. "For select courses such as nursing, there are universities that provide you with a stipend. Additionally, the Schengen visa helps you to seek jobs in over 26 nations," said Sadasivan.
According to Jinu Sekhar, who is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Canada after completing language training from Kochi, numerous students migrating to foreign nations are taking language classes from agencies that also assist with migration. "Numerous students are doing part-time jobs in the city alongside language training to migrate. However, given the fact that universities in Canada or in nations such as Germany are saturating, we are unsure how long the trend would sustain," said Sekhar.