The World Leader in International Education 0097143758166 فارسی العربية فارسی en ru fr es pt About Us Careers Contact About Us Home Our Company Our History Research Highlights Careers Contact Home Our Company Our History Research Highlights About Us Our History Our History How it all began In the early 1960s, a young Swedish man named Bertil Hult traveled to England for the first time. As a dyslexic, school had always been a challenge for him. But he was surprised by how effortlessly he picked up English in England. Bertil became convinced that traditional classroom-based teaching was not always the most effective. In 1965, he decided to start a small company called Europeiska Ferieskolan (European Holiday School – EF for short) that combined language learning with travel abroad. He called the program Språkresor, or Language Travel, which provided one of the world's first hands-on learning experiences outside the classroom. Today, experiential learning is a cornerstone of modern education. For EF, it has been the philosophy behind every program for 50 years. This simple but effective way to learn has helped us become world’s largest educational organization. Though hard to imagine today, traveling abroad to learn English was a radical concept in 1965. It took a university student with dyslexia to come up with it. 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 1960s New Ideas: Social attitudes are changing, technology is taking a giant leap forward, and countries are beginning to look beyond their borders. In the same spirit of endless possibility, Bertil Hult and a small group of friends launch a new hands-on learning enterprise called Language Travel that will change the way people learn. At 24, Bertil Hult invents the concept of language travel, one of the world’s first experiential learning programs. He opens a company called Europeiska Ferieskolan – soon shortened to EF – to escort 407 Swedish high school students to the UK to learn English during their summer break. 1965 1965 Language Travel At 24, Bertil Hult invents the concept of language travel, one of the world’s first experiential learning programs. He opens a company called Europeiska Ferieskolan – soon shortened to EF – to escort 407 Swedish high school students to the UK to learn English during their summer break. 1967 EF’s Language Travel program quickly spreads throughout Sweden and Scandinavia. In addition to offering English in England, EF also launches German in Germany and French in France. Rapid growth 1967 Rapid growth EF’s Language Travel program quickly spreads throughout Sweden and Scandinavia. In addition to offering English in England, EF also launches German in Germany and French in France. 1970s New Markets: Government deregulation of air travel makes mass tourism possible on a scale never before imagined. Travel is no longer solely for the rich; it’s for anyone with a dream. Millions now yearn to see of the world, and speak the new global language – English. To meet the demand, EF opens in many new markets with new programs. 1971 Business English EF opens EF Institute in Hastings, England, to teach intensive Business English abroad to Swedish professionals. EF Institute soon opens locations in the USA, France, Germany and Spain. The program name is later changed to EF Corporate Solutions. 1971 Business English EF opens EF Institute in Hastings, England, to teach intensive Business English abroad to Swedish professionals. EF Institute soon opens locations in the USA, France, Germany and Spain. The program name is later changed to EF Corporate Solutions. High School Exchange EF opens High School Year Abroad, a U.S. Government-designated exchange program for students who would like the chance to experience the “American Dream” for a year by living with host family, attending a local high school, and becoming a member of the surrounding community. 1976 1976 High School Exchange EF opens High School Year Abroad, a U.S. Government-designated exchange program for students who would like the chance to experience the “American Dream” for a year by living with host family, attending a local high school, and becoming a member of the surrounding community. 1978 Language Schools Abroad EF opens its first year-round EF International Language Center in Cambridge, England, dedicated by Swedish Princess Margaretha. Schools soon open throughout the UK and USA. 1978 Language Schools Abroad EF opens its first year-round EF International Language Center in Cambridge, England, dedicated by Swedish Princess Margaretha. Schools soon open throughout the UK and USA. 1980s New Programs: The business-friendly climate of both the Reagan and Thatcher administrations helps many brands go global. Business is also booming at EF. Not only are we able to take our services worldwide, but we successfully launch new programs for the American market. 1981 Radio English EF collaborates with the BBC to produce "Radio English", a series of taped audio programs to enhance classroom instruction. 1981 Radio English EF collaborates with the BBC to produce "Radio English", a series of taped audio programs to enhance classroom instruction. Educational Tours EF develops its Educational Tours program for North American high school teachers and their students. School groups are able to make the world their classroom with professionally guided tours of Western Civilization’s greatest achievements during academic breaks. 1983 1983 Educational Tours EF develops its Educational Tours program for North American high school teachers and their students. School groups are able to make the world their classroom with professionally guided tours of Western Civilization’s greatest achievements during academic breaks. Birth of a Brand Two decades later, EF offers a wide range of language learning, educational touring, and cultural exchange programs. EF's logo is redesigned to unify its growing number of services under one global brand. 1985 1985 Birth of a Brand Two decades later, EF offers a wide range of language learning, educational touring, and cultural exchange programs. EF's logo is redesigned to unify its growing number of services under one global brand. 1988 Olympic Sponsorship EF becomes the Official Language School of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, training volunteers in German and French. Two decades later, EF serves the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and in 2014, the Sochi Games. 1988 Olympic Sponsorship EF becomes the Official Language School of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, training volunteers in German and French. Two decades later, EF serves the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and in 2014, the Sochi Games. 1989 Au Pair Exchanges EF establishes the Culture Care Au Pair program, a U.S. Government-approved au pair exchange program allowing young adults worldwide the opportunity to provide intercultural childcare in the homes of American families. 1989 Au Pair Exchanges EF establishes the Culture Care Au Pair program, a U.S. Government-approved au pair exchange program allowing young adults worldwide the opportunity to provide intercultural childcare in the homes of American families. 1990s New Technologies: The final decade of the 20th century heralds the invention of two important technologies: the personal computer and the internet. While we continue to expand our experiential learning programs, we also launch a new business unit to capitalize on the enormous potential of computer-based learning tools, games and websites. Adult Tours EF adapts its Educational Tour concept for North American adults. The program is renamed Go Ahead Tours when it rapidly expands to include educational itineraries to all seven continents, including North America. 1990 1990 Adult Tours EF adapts its Educational Tour concept for North American adults. The program is renamed Go Ahead Tours when it rapidly expands to include educational itineraries to all seven continents, including North America. Academic Year Abroad EF International Language Centers launches its innovative Academic Year Abroad, a year-long program for young adults that combines linguistic and academic studies. 1991 1991 Academic Year Abroad EF International Language Centers launches its innovative Academic Year Abroad, a year-long program for young adults that combines linguistic and academic studies. 1993 Youth Tours of America EF Educational Tours begins offering tours of the USA to North American school children. The popularity of this program – particularly to middle-grade students traveling to Washington DC – allows it to become its own organization of company, EF Explore America. 1993 Youth Tours of America EF Educational Tours begins offering tours of the USA to North American school children. The popularity of this program – particularly to middle-grade students traveling to Washington DC – allows it to become its own organization of company, EF Explore America. Local Language Schools EF establishes English First in Mexico City, our first school of English to cater for students who cannot travel abroad. Over the next decade, dozens of English First schools open across Mexico, Russia, Indonesia and China. 1994 1994 Local Language Schools EF establishes English First in Mexico City, our first school of English to cater for students who cannot travel abroad. Over the next decade, dozens of English First schools open across Mexico, Russia, Indonesia and China. 1994 EF means “Education First” The acronym EF is officially changed to mean “Education First”, reflecting the organization’s evolution into a global education company. World-famous designer Paul Rand redesigns the EF logo. 1994 EF means “Education First” The acronym EF is officially changed to mean “Education First”, reflecting the organization’s evolution into a global education company. World-famous designer Paul Rand redesigns the EF logo. Educational Software EF partners with Apple to collaborate on computer-aided language learning initiatives. EF's innovative language learning CD-ROM Planet Arizona is recognized for at the IDF awards for Best Software Product. This educational research unit becomes known as EF Labs. 1995 1995 Educational Software EF partners with Apple to collaborate on computer-aided language learning initiatives. EF's innovative language learning CD-ROM Planet Arizona is recognized for at the IDF awards for Best Software Product. This educational research unit becomes known as EF Labs. Online Language Learning EF Labs launches Englishtown.com, an innovative online language school featuring around-the-clock instruction from live teachers in virtual classrooms. Englishtown.com soon becomes the world’s largest language school. 1997 1997 Online Language Learning EF Labs launches Englishtown.com, an innovative online language school featuring around-the-clock instruction from live teachers in virtual classrooms. Englishtown.com soon becomes the world’s largest language school. 1998 Whitbread Sponsorship EF sponsors two boats in the Whitbread Round the World Race, one of them sailed by the first female crew. The “EF Language” boat, captained by Paul Cayard, finishes in first place and captures the cup. 1998 Whitbread Sponsorship EF sponsors two boats in the Whitbread Round the World Race, one of them sailed by the first female crew. The “EF Language” boat, captained by Paul Cayard, finishes in first place and captures the cup. 2000s New Growth: With the advent of social media, instant messaging, and mobile apps in the new millennium, the need to communicate in one common language – English – grows exponentially. So does the need for educational curricula that recognize how interconnected and multicultural the world has grown. EF rises to the challenge by entering higher education – both at the high school and university level. Higher Education EF becomes affiliated with the Arthur D. Little School of Management. Later renamed to Hult International Business School, honoring benefactor Bertil Hult’s commitment to educating global business leaders. Within five years, the Financial Times adds Hult to its prestigious Top 100 Global MBA rankings. 2003 2003 Higher Education EF becomes affiliated with the Arthur D. Little School of Management. Later renamed to Hult International Business School, honoring benefactor Bertil Hult’s commitment to educating global business leaders. Within five years, the Financial Times adds Hult to its prestigious Top 100 Global MBA rankings. The EF Method EF Labs launches EFEKTA, an advanced language learning system that combines classroom teaching with cutting-edge technology and real-world experience. By 2011, EFEKTA lessons in English are available on tablets (iPad) in nearly every EF classroom worldwide. 2005 2005 The EF Method EF Labs launches EFEKTA, an advanced language learning system that combines classroom teaching with cutting-edge technology and real-world experience. By 2011, EFEKTA lessons in English are available on tablets (iPad) in nearly every EF classroom worldwide. Boarding Schools Abroad EF opens EF Academy in New York, our first full-service high school to offer college preparatory programs in a prestigious boarding school setting. EF later open campuses in Oxford and Torbay, England. 2008 2008 Boarding Schools Abroad EF opens EF Academy in New York, our first full-service high school to offer college preparatory programs in a prestigious boarding school setting. EF later open campuses in Oxford and Torbay, England. New Leadership Bertil Hult announces his retirement. His son Philip Hult becomes the new chairman of EF. In 2013, Alex Hult joins his brother Philip as co-chairman. New Leadership Bertil Hult announces his retirement. His son Philip Hult becomes the new chairman of EF. In 2013, Alex Hult joins his brother Philip as co-chairman. 2010s New Opportunities: In this current decade, the world’s great leaders and philanthropic organizations are joining forces to meet the challenges of the planet with innovative solutions. EF remains more committed than ever to our original mission of opening the world through education. We are establishing strategic partnerships to pioneer ground-breaking research at the intersection of technology, education and design. EF Research Network EF and the University of Cambridge announce a ground-breaking collaboration to research language learning. In 2013 Peking University and Harvard Graduate School of Education join the Research Network. 2010 2010 EF Research Network EF and the University of Cambridge announce a ground-breaking collaboration to research language learning. In 2013 Peking University and Harvard Graduate School of Education join the Research Network. Asian Games Language Trainer EF servers as the Official Language Training Supplier of the 16th Asian Games in China. Asian Games Language Trainer EF servers as the Official Language Training Supplier of the 16th Asian Games in China. Hult Prize The first Hult Global Case Challenge is launched, later renamed the Hult Prize. In 2011, Former U.S. President Bill Clinton begins awarding the competition’s USD1 million prize at the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. Hult Prize The first Hult Global Case Challenge is launched, later renamed the Hult Prize. In 2011, Former U.S. President Bill Clinton begins awarding the competition’s USD1 million prize at the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative. Language Learning Apps EF Labs develops a free Mobile English app allowing students to learn anytime, anywhere. The following year, the British Council Innovation Awards recognizes the EF Classroom App for excellence in digital technology. 2011 2011 Language Learning Apps EF Labs develops a free Mobile English app allowing students to learn anytime, anywhere. The following year, the British Council Innovation Awards recognizes the EF Classroom App for excellence in digital technology. 2011 EF releases the first-ever world ranking of general English, the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI). The report is widely referenced in the academic, business and popular media. It now published annually, and offers insight into a broad range of linguistic issues. Thought Leadership 2011 Thought Leadership EF releases the first-ever world ranking of general English, the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI). The report is widely referenced in the academic, business and popular media. It now published annually, and offers insight into a broad range of linguistic issues. 2013 EF begins a collaboration with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to produce a joint summer school program for high school students worldwide. United Nations Collaboration 2013 United Nations Collaboration EF begins a collaboration with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations to produce a joint summer school program for high school students worldwide. Language Testing EF launches the EF Standard English Test, the first free adaptive online assessment test of linguistic ability. 2014 2014 Language Testing EF launches the EF Standard English Test, the first free adaptive online assessment test of linguistic ability. Continuing Education Hult forms a strategic partnership with renowned Ashridge Business School in Hertfordshire, England, to offer part-time international business education courses for working professionals. Continuing Education Hult forms a strategic partnership with renowned Ashridge Business School in Hertfordshire, England, to offer part-time international business education courses for working professionals. 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