Founding and early years

EF was founded in 1965 in Lund, Sweden, by Bertil Hult. The company’s origins were closely linked to Hult’s personal difficulties with traditional English language instruction. As a young person with dyslexia, he struggled with conventional classroom methods but later discovered that his proficiency improved significantly through immersion while working in London. This experience led him to conclude that living within a language environment was more effective than studying it in isolation.4

His inaugural programme took Swedish students to England to learn English whilst travelling, establishing the foundation of EF’s experiential-learning model.5

Etymology

The initials “EF” originally stood for the company’s Swedish name, Europeiska Ferieskolan, which translates roughly to “European Holiday School”. As the organisation expanded beyond language trips to include schools, exchanges and other educational programmes, the name evolved into EF Education First.6

During the 1970s, EF expanded outside Sweden, establishing language schools and operations in other countries. A significant milestone occurred in 1972 with the opening of its first school in Japan, followed by further expansion across Europe, North America and Asia.7

The company’s development has progressed through several distinct phases:

• 1960s: Language travel
• 1970s: International language schools and cultural exchange
• 1980s: Educational tours and Olympic-related education services
• 1990s: Online language learning
• 2000s: Academic programmes and international boarding schools
• 2010s: Language-learning research, testing and large-scale digital education
• 2020s: Expansion of technology-enabled and experiential education

EF characterises this progression as a shift from language travel towards a comprehensive international education ecosystem.8

Rather than operating as a single language-school chain, EF functions as a family of education businesses sharing a common brand and philosophy. Its major activities include language education for children, teenagers, university students, adults and professionals. Programmes cover languages including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese, alongside other offerings depending on the market.

A core component of the traditional business remains language travel, where students combine classroom learning with cultural and social experiences in a foreign country.

EF English Live

One of EF’s primary digital ventures is EF English Live. Launched in 1996 with support from Apple and the University of Cambridge, it is described as the world’s first online English school.9 The service provides live instruction, digital materials and structured courses. EF states that the platform has taught 20 million learners and conducts approximately 2 million classes annually.10 This initiative demonstrates the company’s early experimentation with online language education prior to its mainstream adoption.

EF English Proficiency Index

Introduced in 2011, the EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) ranks countries and regions based on the English proficiency of adults taking EF’s standardised assessment.17 While widely cited as an international dataset on adult English proficiency, it is not a universal measurement of entire national populations; rather, it reflects data from individuals who voluntarily take EF tests, a distinction relevant when interpreting the rankings.

EF SET

In 2014, EF launched the EF Standard English Test (EF SET), a free, standardised and certifying English test designed to provide accessible assessment.18 This development marked EF’s entry into the broader language-assessment industry beyond traditional schooling.

EF International Language Campuses

EF operates a network of international language campuses where students travel abroad to study languages whilst experiencing local culture. Depending on the destination, these programmes combine language classes, accommodation, activities, excursions and cultural immersion. This structure reflects Bertil Hult’s original philosophy that learning occurs through experience rather than solely through classroom instruction, positioning the travel and cultural elements as integral parts of the educational product.11

Cultural exchange programmes

The company also facilitates cultural exchange, notably through the EF High School Exchange Year introduced in 1979. This programme enables students to live and study in another country, typically with a host family.12 Beyond language acquisition, participants are exposed to different education systems, social customs and international networks, supporting the view that cross-cultural understanding is itself a key educational outcome.

EF’s ecosystem has expanded into formal academic education through EF Academy, which operates international boarding schools, and associated higher-education organisations. It is also linked to Hult International Business School, an independent non-profit institution offering undergraduate and graduate programmes.13 Consequently, the education pathway can span from language learning and secondary education through to university and professional training.

In the realm of educational travel, EF offers guided international tours, school trips, university study tours and specialised excursions. These programmes are designed to transform travel into a learning experience, encapsulated by the philosophy of turning “the world into your classroom”.14

Technology plays an increasingly central role in EF’s operations. Following its initial move into online learning in the 1990s, the company developed proprietary platforms and classroom technologies.15 Modern systems utilise learner and teacher data to refine instruction. Recent developments include Efekta Hyperclass, an interactive online learning environment.16 Today, the model integrates education, travel, technology and cultural experiences to create international learning opportunities.

EF is visually distinguished by its bright pink colour scheme and distinctive logo. Designed in the early 1990s by American graphic designer Paul Rand—also known for corporate identities such as IBM and UPS—the logo features italicised lettering representing movement and travel, alongside circular rings symbolising communication and the ripple effect of education.19 According to the company, the rings represent the idea that one person’s changed perspective can influence wider communities.20

This visual identity supports the central message connecting education, experience, understanding and connection. The company’s broader belief that “the world is better when people try to understand one another” explains the integration of seemingly disparate sectors such as tourism, language schools, cultural exchange and academic programmes under a single mission.21

EF remains a privately held family business associated with the Hult family. Unlike publicly traded corporations, it does not have listed shares or mandatory financial disclosure requirements.22 Leadership has passed from founder Bertil Hult to the next generation: Philip Hult serves as Chairman and Edward (Eddie) Hult as CEO, as confirmed in the company’s 2025 anniversary announcements.23

From its origins as a Swedish language-travel operator, EF has grown into a global organisation with schools and offices in more than 50 countries.24 A 2021 fact sheet reported approximately 52,000 employees and operations spanning over 100 countries, though these figures may not reflect current headcounts.25

Major international hubs include Zurich, Boston, London, Tokyo and Shanghai. The Zurich headquarters is located in the Neue Börse, the former Swiss Stock Exchange building.26

Olympic Games

EF has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Olympic movement, providing education-related services beginning with the 1988 Seoul Olympics and continuing through subsequent events.27 This partnership aligns with the company’s focus on international communication and cross-cultural gathering.

Professional cycling

The company holds ownership interests in professional cycling teams competing at the highest level, including the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes. EF views these teams as an expression of its global and adventurous brand identity, connecting its name with travel, exploration and international competition rather than relying exclusively on conventional education advertising.28

Hult Prize

EF is connected to the Hult Prize, a student social-entrepreneurship competition launched in 2009 that challenges participants to develop businesses addressing major social problems. The prize historically offers US$1 million in seed funding to the winning venture and is presented as part of EF’s broader impact and entrepreneurial ecosystem.29

Sustainability

Through initiatives such as Hello Zero, EF has stated an ambition to become carbon negative annually and address emissions associated with historical operations. The company also develops responsible-travel initiatives and engages in social impact activities covering education access, entrepreneurship, sustainability and international cooperation.30

EF distinguishes itself by combining education with international experience. Whereas conventional providers might offer either English lessons or overseas travel separately, EF sells an integrated educational experience in another country. This model, often described as experiential or immersion learning, combines education, travel, language immersion, cultural exchange and personal development.31

Major businesses and activities

As corporate structures evolve, this table serves as an overview of the EF ecosystem rather than a fixed legal chart. The company describes itself as a family of businesses sharing a common mission and brand.32

As of 2026, EF is a six-decade-old international education group. Its evolution from a 1965 Swedish language-travel operation to a modern entity incorporates technology, experiential education, global travel and sustainability alongside traditional academic and cultural programmes. The company celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2025, marking six decades since its founding by Bertil Hult.33

1. Who we are | EF United States
2. EF Celebrates 60 Years of Opening the World Through Education | EF Canada
3. EF Celebrates 60 Years of Opening the World Through Education | EF United States
4. About EF
5. Who we are | EF Canada
6. 5 facts about the EF logo you might not know ‹ We are EF Blog | Careers
7. EF Education First
8. About | EF Corporate Learning
9. About us | EF English Live
10. Company Fact Sheet 2021
11. EF opens new Zurich headquarters in the former Swiss Stock Exchange Building ‹ We are EF ‹ We are EF Blog | Careers
12. The Hult Prize: 15 years of changing the world through social entrepreneurship
13. EF EDUCATION FIRST
14. EF – Wikidata
15. EF – Wikidata
16. EF – Wikidata
17. File:EF education first.png – Wikimedia Commons
18. Category:EF Education First – Wikimedia Commons
19. File:Logo EF Education First.svg – Wikimedia Commons
20. EF – Wikidata
21. 7 surprising things about EF Education First ‹ We are EF ‹ We are EF Blog | Careers
22. 10 things that make EF a top place to work (in Boston and beyond) ‹ We are EF ‹ We are EF Blog | Careers
23. We’ve changed our name to EF English Live! | EF English Live
24. EF Education First | Language changes everything | EF
25. Working at EF | Careers at EF
26. Qui nous sommes | EF Global Site (Française)
27. Finding what you love, and doing it well: Ku’s EF and Hult journey ‹ We are EF Blog | Careers
28. The Wild Ride: Why we decided to become a title partner of a WorldTour pro cycling team | EF English Live
29. From Fluid Mechanics to Finance: Jannicke’s EF journey ‹ We are EF Blog | Careers
30. The Very Colorful Book Training: EF Global Manager Program ‹ We are EF Blog | Careers
31. EF teams up with the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 ‹ We are EF ‹ We are EF Blog | Careers
32. Hora de mudar: Englishtown agora é EF English Live | EF English Live
33. EF Education First