"Economist" Chinese-English translation

BRITAIN'S private schools are one of its most successful exports. The children of the well-heeled flock to them, whether from China, Nigeria or Russia: the number of foreign pupils rose by 1.4% in the last year alone. One headmaster recently asked a room full of pupils whether they flew business class to Britain. Only a few hands went up, suggesting they were not quite as cosseted as he had thought. Then a boy explained: many of the pupils fly first class instead.?

British private schools are arguably one of the UK's most successful "exports". Wealthy students abound in these schools, whether from China, Nigeria or Russia: last year alone, the number of international students grew by 1.4%. A principal recently visited a full dormitory and asked if they had flown business class to the UK. A few raised their hands to show that they were not as pampered as he thought. One boy then explained: Many students did not fly first class.

Yet foreign students, whether educated in British private schools or elsewhere, are decreasingly likely to go to English universities. According to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, 307,200 overseas students began their studies in the country in 2012 -13, down from 312,000 two years earlier and the first drop in 29 years. Student numbers from the rest of the EU fell—probably a result of the increase in annual tuition fees in England from 6,000 (10,000) a year to 9,000. But arrivals from India and Pakistan declined most sharply.

However, whether these international students are educated in British private schools or other educational institutions, the possibility of entering British universities is constantly decreasing. . According to a survey by the UK Higher Education Funding Agency, only 307,200 international students chose to study at English universities in the 2012-13 academic year, compared with 312,000 in the previous academic year. This is the first decline in the number in 29 years. The number of international students from other countries in the EU is also declining, most likely due to the increase in annual tuition fees in the UK from 6,000 (10,000) to 9,000. Numbers from India and Pakistan in particular are declining sharply.

In contrast to the visa regime for private schools, which is extremely lax (the Home Office counts private schools as favored sponsors) student visas have been tightened. Foreign students used to be allowed to work for up to two years after graduation. They now have only four months to find a job paying upwards of 20,600 if they want to stay in Britain.

Compared to the rather relaxed visa system of private schools (because private schools are internal affairs Friendly sponsors of the Ministry of Education), student visas are much stricter. Previously, foreign students were allowed to work for up to two years after graduation. Now, if they want to stay in the UK, they must find a job paying more than $20,600 in just four months.

This change was intended to deal with sham colleges that were in effect offering two-year work visas. But it seems to have put off serious students too. Nick Hillman of the Higher Education Policy Institute says the government has sent unclear messages about the sort of immigration it wants to restrict. An emphasis on holding down net immigration deters young Indians and Pakistanis in particular. Australia and America, which have more relaxed entry criteria for students, are becoming more favored destinations. Colin Riordan, Cardiff University's vice-chancellor, adds that Britain's student-visa regime has become more onerous and fiddly overall.

This change is in response to fake institutions that purportedly offer two-year work visas. But this approach seems to also affect students who are actually studying. Nick Hillman from the Higher Education Policy Institute said the government's approach sent a vague message to the public about restricting student immigration. The UK's policy focus on controlling immigration has had the greatest impact on students from India and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Australia and the United States have become popular due to their relaxed admission standards for students. Colin Riordan, vice-chancellor of Cardiff University, added that the UK’s student visa system is becoming increasingly strict and complex.

As a result, Britain is losing out to other countries in the contest for talent—an oddity, given how often the prime minister bangs on about the “global race”. Its unwelcoming stance will harm its long- term prospects. And the drift of foreign students from leading British private schools to American colleges may have another, somewhat happier, consequence: America might become rather better at cricket.

Although the British Prime Minister has repeatedly emphasized that "global competition "But the UK has lost to other countries in the competition for talent. What a surprising result. Its inhumane attitude will damage its future prospects. International students abandoning British private schools and turning to American universities may bring another somewhat gratifying result: British cricket may be surpassed by the United States (cricket originated in Britain).