EF Education First

EF Education First is the world's largest privately-held international education company. Founded in 1965 in Lund, Sweden, by Bertil Hult, it operates in more than 100 countries through over 600 offices and schools, serving millions of students across every continent. Its stated mission, "opening the world through education", has remained unchanged for six decades.

For English language teachers, the core of EF's offering is its language immersion programmes, run across 50 international destinations, alongside cultural exchange initiatives that place students with host families worldwide. The company also delivers educational travel experiences for students of all ages, academic pathways ranging from secondary boarding schools to university preparation, and corporate language training for businesses. EF English Live, its online English school, is described as the world's largest online English school.

The company works across online education and e-learning, language learning technology, and distance learning. Its reach extends to every continent, with a global, multi-continent workforce and operations. Other initiatives include the Hult Prize, an initiative created by EF.

EF has maintained a partnership with the Olympic Games since 1988 and sponsors a professional cycling team. The company remains privately held, with no external funding disclosed.