Millions of families in the UK are seriously worried about leaving the EU.
Parents who voted to remain now fear for their kids' opportunities in international education. However, this turns out to be an advantage for students in the German-speaking world. For them, there is a greater choice of language partners to practice their English than ever before!
160.000 families in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are currently in active language partnerships. English is their first and most important second language. Until June 2016 there was more demand than supply for English native speakers. The referendum has changed that. Today, German is one of the most popular languages for kids in the UK.
What's more, the new situation has kicked off a strong trend of families on both sides using the combination of language holidays and holiday child care. Among other advantages this answers the question "Why on earth would I need to learn this?" for every kid.
Global Natives co-founder Alan Ashton, responsible for the future lab, says "Currently politics drive people apart. All the more families world wide feel the need to connect."
As Brexit drives Brits to actively connect across borders, statistics show a similar effect for the US: The 2016 election has significantly increased the number of American families in international partnerships. Nationalism may give part of the population a stronger sense of security, others feel it is suffocating their minds.
International family partnerships are a growing challenge to commercial language holiday agencies and to private language tutors because they come with minimal costs and maximum choice.
Around Xmas 2018 the Global Natives network will reach one million member families.
Parents who voted to remain now fear for their kids' opportunities in international education. However, this turns out to be an advantage for students in the German-speaking world. For them, there is a greater choice of language partners to practice their English than ever before!
160.000 families in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are currently in active language partnerships. English is their first and most important second language. Until June 2016 there was more demand than supply for English native speakers. The referendum has changed that. Today, German is one of the most popular languages for kids in the UK.
What's more, the new situation has kicked off a strong trend of families on both sides using the combination of language holidays and holiday child care. Among other advantages this answers the question "Why on earth would I need to learn this?" for every kid.
Global Natives co-founder Alan Ashton, responsible for the future lab, says "Currently politics drive people apart. All the more families world wide feel the need to connect."
As Brexit drives Brits to actively connect across borders, statistics show a similar effect for the US: The 2016 election has significantly increased the number of American families in international partnerships. Nationalism may give part of the population a stronger sense of security, others feel it is suffocating their minds.
International family partnerships are a growing challenge to commercial language holiday agencies and to private language tutors because they come with minimal costs and maximum choice.
Around Xmas 2018 the Global Natives network will reach one million member families.
