EF in Brief

Introducing EF

EF stands for "Education First". Founded in 1965 by entrepreneur Bertil Hult, EF is a privately-held company with 15 divisions that offer a range of educational programs from language training, educational travel, and academic degrees to cultural exchanges. With a mission to break down barriers in language, culture and geography, EF has helped people of all ages and nationalities become citizens of the world.

From Berlin to Beijing, Moscow to Mexico City, Dubai to Denver, EF operates 450 schools and offices in over 54 countries. EF's global network includes 15,000 full time office staff, 3,500 full time faculty and 16,500 part time teachers, leaders and tour directors. To date, EF has helped over 15 million people to learn a new language, discover the world, or earn an academic degree.

"Education First" is more than our company name. It is our corporate passion.

Where we are

Since 1965 EF has opened a school or an office in more than 54 countries across the globe and the expansion continues every year.

Our History

EF Education First was founded by Bertil Hult at the age of 23, in the basement of his university dormitory in Lund, Sweden. Having struggled with dyslexia as a child, Bertil Hult founded EF on the principle that cultural immersion was a superior way to study a language.