About English 1

We Have a Long Legacy

In 1965, the entrepreneur Bertil Hult brought a group of Swedish students to Brighton, England. The idea was simple—students would learn English while travelling on holiday. After only a week, he saw how much the students’ English had improved—a feat he never thought possible. That inspired Bertil to launch EF Education First—a company built on language learning, cultural immersion and travel. Years later, in the 1990s, countries around the globe were opening up their economies. In this wave of globalisation, EF Education First —now one of the world’s leading education brands— arrived in Asia. English First language centres were opened in Indonesia and China, putting down roots in local communities while opening doors to the wider world. Today, there are over 300 centres in both countries, where students make rapid progress, thanks to our expert teachers and proven methodology. Our courses are specially designed to transform their lives by nurturing a love of the English language and helping each student build their own success story. This is a legacy we’re proud of—millions of young minds who have learned a language, experienced new cultures and seen the world. But we’re at our best when we embrace change, so it’s time for the next chapter.

As English 1, we’re looking forward to a whole new era. With the continued backing of EF Education First and our new majority stakeholder Permira, we’re ready to take advantage of the unique opportunities of the future while strengthening bonds with our local markets.

One history. One family. One goal. English 1

We Take Pride in Our Students

English 1 has been a notable force in education and development for 30 years with schools and offices in major cities in China and Indonesia.

Through our innovative learning system, students embark on a transformative adventure combining language acquisition with immersive experiences. We go beyond the standard curriculum, giving students opportunities to explore, engage in creative pursuits, and develop specialized skills that they need to succeed academically, and in life.

Our Culture

When you join English 1, you don’t just join a company—you become part of a community, a family away from home. The first thing everyone notices is our unique culture, built on a shared love for fun, adventure and teaching. It’s our people who make English 1 such a dynamic and inspiring place to work.

We believe the world is better when people strive to understand one another. Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive—no matter where they’re from, who they love or the color of their skin. At English 1, you’ll build relationships that last a lifetime with colleagues from all over the world, united by a passion for making a difference.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)

The first thing everyone notices when they join is our company culture. We share the same love for fun, adventure, and teaching. It’s our people who make our organisation such a dynamic and fun place to work.

We believe the world is better when people try to understand one another. Everyone deserves a fair opportunity to learn and thrive no matter where you are from, who you love, or the color of your skin.

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