Experts agree that it's difficult to find reliable data about the number of native speakers of popular languages online. Even http://www.InternetWorldStats.com/ has recognized the complexity of the task; their most recent update is September 2009.

Here's a world-internet-usage-growth chart, by region, from 2000 to 2008: http://www.USjournal.com/en/educators/erecruit/09/08pie3d.jpg

We are able to document solid figures and corresponding trends related to demographics and internet penetration rates. As such, it's reasonable to assume that native English speakers represent only about one-quarter of all current internet users... and many believe that it's only a matter of time before native Chinese speakers outnumber native English speakers online.

So what? What does that mean for international student recruitment? It's time to consider translating at least the basic elements of your site, into targeted languages based on your strategic objectives. English Language Programs (with beginner-level courses) stand to benefit the most.

When advertisers purchase multilingual campaigns with USjournal.com (http://www.USjournal.com/en/educators/multilingual10.pdf), you actually own the professional translations, to copy and paste in whatever format you deem appropriate. You may even upload the translated text to your own .edu domain, which improves your campus' overall perception in the eyes of non-native English speakers (and those who are likely to fund them). Other reasons:

• Advertisers may send links to the translations to prospective students, parents, agents and overseas universities to boost traffic.
• Advertisers may format their translations into pdf files, which is helpful when producing flyers for in-person recruitment events.
• USjournal.com imposes no word limit or image limit on Campus Profile Pages, so you may highlight your strengths as you deem appropriate.
• Professional translations at USjournal.com are guaranteed for accuracy; we will correspond with you (or the native speaker) until you are completely satisfied.

Questions or comments? eMail cheryl@USjournal.com

Current advertisers of USjournal.com may send us high-resolution images for rotation in our home page headers. We need images in landscape format (as opposed to portrait), with a minimum of 1,200 pixels in width, in .png, .jpg or .gif extensions. Specifically, we're looking for medical or nursing classes, broadcasting or art studios, and science or engineering labs (no generic computer labs, please). Please send them to cheryl@USjournal.com

* Sunday, 30 May at 8 a.m., Kansas City, Missouri
Marketing Basics for International Educators: http://www.nafsa.org/annualconference/

* Wednesday, 2 June at 3:45 p.m., Kansas City, Missouri
Working with Agents: http://www.nafsa.org/annualconference/

* Thursday, 3 June at 1:00 p.m., Kansas City, Missouri
Redefining the Enrollment Funnel: http://www.nafsa.org/annualconference/

* Thursday, 3 June at 3:45 p.m., Kansas City, Missouri
Measuring ROI: http://www.nafsa.org/annualconference/