Band 6+: The pie charts below show the methods used by international students when booking the online English courses in three different countries in 2009 and 2010. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The pie charts illustrate the methods used by international students to book online English courses in Australia, the USA, Canada in 2009 and 2010.

Overall, it is evident that the internet in Australia and the USA was the dominant methods over the period, while arrival booking was the most popular in Canada. Additionally, Australia and Canada experienced notable changes, whereas the USA remained almost stable.

In Australia, the percentage of booking with agent was the highest choices compared to others in 2009, at 27%. This was trailed by arrival (26%), internet (24%) and other ways (23%). In 2010, arrival and internet bookings rose to 30% and 39%, respectively. In contrast, 20% was recorded in other methods and there was a dramatic decline in booking with agent from 27% to 11%.

In terms of the USA, the figures for arrival and internet booking were relatively unchanged, accounting for 24% and around 26% in 2009. Between 2009 and 2010, the percentage of pre-booked with agent rose gradually from 24% to 28%, while other choices declined to 23%. Concerning Canada, the proportion was significant in arrival (45%), internet (27%) and with agent (22%), followed by other at only 6% in 2009. In 2010, the figures were shifted in arrival (26%), internet (25%), with agent (35%) and the remaining one stood at 18%.