EF World 2020 Edition by efhkstudio

Like news, only better

Explore the world of EF

ef.com

2 020

E D I T I O N

#EFstrong

We are #EFstrong EF Ningbo teachers explore China on a team building excursion.

First off, we would like to thank everyone for your incredibly hard work and dedication. We are so proud of how everyone has responded; you’ve worked tirelessly and passionately and with the EF flair that’s so unique to our culture.

EF staff ready to greet students behind plexi screens in London.

While Covid-19 is still among us, the good news is that we are starting to see some green shoots of recovery across the world. Parts of the world have been successfully coming back. This summer, we re-opened some schools in the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Canada, U.S., and Malta. Almost all of our English centers in China are back and filling up with students. And people in the U.S. are starting to explore our website and consider trips abroad again. Even though this summer has been unprecedented, you’ve miraculously managed to keep our traditional EF summer spirit alive. The last few months we have also looked inward on how to better support members of our community who face racism and discrimination. We have been listening to how to make EF a place where everyone feels welcome. You can read more about this on page 8. After the last two significant world-wide crises, September 11th and the 2007 global financial crisis, it took some time for EF to recover. However, when things got back to normal and many of our competitors had disappeared, we came back stronger and experienced many years of super strong growth. The next several months are probably not going to be easy. We will have to deal with shifting rules and disruptions. This is going to require us to dig deep, work smart, and be flexible. But we can do it—together.

EF Tokyo held a bilingual summer camp, teaching English and Japanese using the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

EF Malaga graduates celebrate in a socially distanced fashion.

#EFstrong

Simon and Kyle from EF Go Ahead Tours in Boston reach new heights together while cycling through a pandemic—most recently with a 104 mile ride and 10,000 feet of gravel climbing!

We created a pop-up Swiss Alps summer camp.

Allez EF! EF Pro Cycling zooms ahead! Wrapping up a fantastic Tour de France, our team arrived at the Champs-Élysées on Sunday, September 20th after 21 stages and 3,470 kilometers ridden across France. The team was thrilled to complete cycling’s biggest race with a stage victory and 8th place overall for our leader, Rigoberto Urán. EF fans around the world were on the edge of their seats watching the race live as our heroes marched towards Paris. The EF Perth team celebrated Christmas in July.

Italian rider Alberto Bettiol summed up the race nicely: “Every Tour de France leaves you with something, and it’s not just a bike race. You live for one month with 30 people and then you go home and miss this family. We never argued and we always found a solution for every problem.” Stay tuned for the next two Grand Tours: Giro d’Italia (Oct 3rd-Oct 25th) and the Vuelta a España (Oct 20th-Nov 8th). Allez EF! Dani Martínez claims victory on the brutal stage 13 of the Tour de France.

EF Boston welcomed their first arrival last weekend, Eric from Taiwan.

The final seven riders on the Champs-Élysées at the final stage of the Tour de France.

An EF Academy senior in New York graduated early on campus in May.

Follow @efprocycling

#EFstrong

We’re back! 1

Our schools and offices reopened around the world

Despite challenges this summer, schools welcomed familiar and new students. Many have resumed faceto-face classes. Most of our offices have also reopened. We are following local social distancing guidelines. We’re masked, handsanitized, and ready to go.

5 4 6

10 9

The EF London office reopened with social distancing signage.

Celebrating graduation with students who arrived at EF Seoul in January.

EF Istanbul holds consultations, all while safely masked.

Staff at EF Perth run wellness yoga classes for students to unwind after class.

Work from office vibes at EF Mexico City.

Classrooms are back up and running across EF China.

EF Zurich welcomes back staff in EF pink style.

EF Tokyo hosts a “wagashi” making class for traditional Japanese sweets.

Teachers in EF Tianjin and Jinan team up to prepare the classroom for students.

10. AY graduates are celebrated at EF Brisbane.

11. A picnic to welcome students back to EF Toronto. EF WORLD

#EFstrong

5 EF Rome

EF Language’s unstoppable summer It’s no secret that we love summer at EF. Despite new challenges this year, we created the classic EF summer experience wherever possible. While many language campuses are now reopened, we had to get creative during the summer and offered new local English camps in locations like Malaga, South Tuscany, and the Swiss Alps for thousands of students. All lessons, activities, and excursions were designed to follow social distancing guidelines so students could have an amazing experience, and parents could be confident that safety was always first. From swimming in crystal blue lakes and riding gondolas in the fresh alpine air, to stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, and roasting s’mores, there was never a shortage of engaging activities. For example, EF Tokyo got creative and held a local bilingual summer camp, teaching English to Japanese students and Japanese for international students with weekly challenges based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With our teachers and leaders truly going above and beyond this year, our students have still been able to experience learning the EF way: languages, friends, and fun!

EF Swiss Alps EF L’Arche

EF Isle of Wight

Our U.K. schools are "Good To Go", following Covid safety guidelines and ensuring that the campuses and schools are safe places to study!

EF Malta

EF Bournemouth EF Malaga

EF Singapore

Hult’s hybrid learning for today’s reality Whether on campus or at home, Hult offers a safe and seamless learning experience. Our response to today’s reality is the new Limitless Learning technology which is being installed in every classroom across campuses. This gives students the chance to participate in real live classes if they’re unable to physically attend because of visa restrictions or limited class sizes due to social distancing across our global campuses. With intelligent speaker-tracking cameras, 360° ceiling microphones, and interactive virtual classrooms, our students will feel like they’re in class wherever they are. The technology even allows faculty to teach from home. Hult plans to launch a range of Live Virtual Masters degrees off the back of this new hybrid technology next year, which will allow students to participate in a real class without having to leave their home. This reinforces Hult’s commitment to embrace change and make Hult’s practical, global education accessible to all.

EF WORLD

EF Feature on Empathy Story

Adapting, pivoting, and thriving This year, we’ve seen EF culture, passion, and energy stronger than ever. Our language schools and academic campuses have embraced online learning, while online products such as English Live and Corporate Solutions collaborated to offer free resources and attract new audiences. Across the company, we have seen you adapt quickly with new offerings and innovative ideas to continue opening the world through education—all while working from home. In case you missed it, here is our thank you video highlighting the united EF community around the world. Video

Hult student satisfaction higher than ever

EF English Live sets the pace During the pandemic, EF English Live has coped remarkably well with some markets experiencing a boom such as the Middle East, France, and Japan compared to last year. Growth is driven in part by Covid-19 as well as new offers, repackaging, and pricing—and of course our expert and dedicated online teachers.

EF WORLD

We’ve also put a lot of effort into implementing new technologies across the business— improving existing systems and platforms, and consolidating mobile apps. It’s encouraging that students in all markets are using our courseware more (60%-120% increase in product usage). Plus, a brand new website and sales tool rollout is coming soon.

As schools around the world were forced to close during lockdowns, Hult transitioned its 4,000 business students online overnight, across campuses—making Hult one of the first universities to do so. Despite the switch to digital learning, both post-graduate and undergraduate student satisfaction ratings have gone up with the highest NPS score at year-end to date.

4.5x Undergraduate NPS improvement over 3 years

Feature Story

New names, programs, and campaigns

Hu Ge

EF China Brand Ambassador

100% online courses launched in China Earlier this year our teams completely shifted class schedules and moved programs from more than 300 brick-and-mortar schools across China to online, creating immersive grouplearning experiences for 200,000 students and 20,000 staff on a newly designed cloud-based platform—in only three weeks. The digital pivot even caught the attention of CNN. The online course has recently been launched as an official 100% online Kids and Teens product, all made possible by this early adaptation.

EF English Center launches Smart+ In early August, the EFEC team in China launched a new product called Smart+. Through the tried and tested EF Learning System (learn, try, apply, certify), EFEC aims to help adult learners speak English confidently. New additions to the product include AI-driven course recommendations, audio-speech recognition that specializes in Chinese accents, revamped online Smart+ classroom that hosts group lessons, private lessons, and the personal verbal assessment, and the unified Smart English app that makes course management extremely easy. With the choice of learning both online and in-center or entirely online, Smart+ will help students maximize their learning.

Hu Ge, China’s most famous actor, returns as EF’s Ambassador EF China is thrilled to have Hu Ge, one of China’s most famous celebrities, return as our brand ambassador. A veteran of film and TV, Hu Ge first partnered with us in 2016, a year after he was also appointed as the Shanghai Tourism Ambassador. Hu Ge studied English with EF and became a big brother figure for our Kids and Teens brand. At the EF Education Exchange Event, he spoke eloquently about his life experiences and how English helped expand his world. Hu Ge will soon hit the world stage with his role in Blossoms, the new movie by internationally acclaimed director, Wong Kar Wai (director of Chung King Express and In The Mood for Love). This fall, Hu Ge will also star in EF China’s multimedia campaigns.

LIVE

ON AIR

EF Go Ahead Tours launches Online Escapes

Meet the new EF Tours for Girls We recently changed our name from ‘EF Girl Scout Tours’ to ‘EF Tours for Girls’ to ensure we have the opportunity to connect with the growing landscape of girl-focused organizations, maximizing the scale and breadth of the life-changing impact our tour experiences have on young women across the nation.

ON AIR

We believe in empowering girls through educational travel and are proud to contribute to their journey of becoming confident young women who will make the world a better place. Learn why Christina loves the EF Tours for Girls team Read more

As Covid-19 made traveling anywhere further than your couch nearly impossible, EF Go Ahead launched Online Escapes, bite-sized interactive experiences hosted by the EF family of travel experts. Enjoy afternoon tea the English way; cooking ravioli from scratch with an Italian chef; sip wine and tour a Tuscan vineyard; become a Spanish art history aficionado. Curated, attractively-priced, one-hour escapes will bring the marvel and beauty of travel right to your home.

Each purchase benefits Feeding America® as well as support our Online Escapes hosts who are Tour Directors and local guides within the EF travel community. Learn how the team has worked to bring the world to their customers Read more

EF WORLD

#EFstrong

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging At EF, we always believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Diversity and Inclusion expert, Verna Myers said “diversity is being invited to the party, while Inclusion is being asked to dance.” We would also like to add that Equity is double checking that the DJ plays various genres, and Belonging is making sure everyone feels they can jump in the conga line because the crowd is cheering them on. At EF’s DEIB party, it doesn’t matter if you’re dancing to Salsa, Kompa, Country, hitting a Woah, Voguing or simply bobbing your head—we’re all in this together. This party is not stopping any time soon, so don’t worry if you took a wrong turn or showed up late—you’re here now, and that’s what matters. While race is at the forefront of societal conversations today, this team was established to improve DEIB at EF across all fronts: race, gender identity, socioeconomic status, age, ability, language, sexual orientation, ethnicity, education, veteran status, and more. To start, there are five EF commitments that the DEIB Team will focus on: 1. We commit to grow diversity within our teams, at all levels, through proactive recruiting and retention of talent.

“I am passionate about creating an environment where our colleagues feel represented, empowered, and where they can to bring their authentic selves.” Adama Lawla Project Director, Global RED, London

2. We commit to provide internal training and development opportunities on recognizing and preventing biases to fight systemic inequality in the workplace. 3. We commit to create and share educational tools, resources, and platforms to combat systemic racism and discrimination within and outside EF. 4. We commit to foster safe interactions, experiences, and spaces for our staff and customers. 5. We commit to reimagine, actualize, and continually audit our programs, services, language, and marketing to strengthen inclusivity in everything we do.

“In a world in which we desperately need to understand and accept each other, it’s really great to have the chance to promote these behaviors and be available for the ones who need them the most.” Tannia Domenzain Director, RED, Mexico City

“I want us to be able to affect tangible positive change so those who feel otherwise marginalized and or underrepresented see there are people working with their best interests at heart.” Ashley Everage Program Manager, DEIB, Shanghai

EF WORLD

So far, we have started facilitating listening sessions and trainings, and updated our job descriptions and EF Equal Opportunity Employer statements for the career site and recruiting materials. More to come soon! Check out our new Globalnet DEIB page for more updates, favorite resources, and global virtual events you can attend from home.

Meet the DEIB team North America Nayeli Vivanco Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Boston Leslie Anselme Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Boston

Europe Manon Dave Vice President of Product Innovation, London Adama Lawla Project Director, Global RED, London

Asia Joanne Vazquez Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Shanghai Ashley Everage Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, Shanghai

Latin America Tannia Domenzain Director, Recruitment and Employee Development, Mexico City Danillo Jesus CR Supervisor, EF English Live, São Paulo

Learn why DEIB is so important to them Read more

#EFstrong

Pride 2020 A reflection on progress This year has caused many of us at EF to pause and reflect. Progress starts from listening to and learning from one another to create space for everyone—no matter who they are, where they live, who they love, their spirituality, or the color of their skin. So, in celebration of Pride this year, we asked LGBTQ+ staff to share reflections on the meaning of progress in their own words. Their thoughtful responses reflect the hopeful optimism core to everything the EF community stands for.

“There is always more work to be done”

“Progress is letting go of old constructs”

“Progress is not just about me”

Jessica (she, her, hers) Vice President of Marketing EF Go Ahead Tours, Boston

Ilaria (they, them, theirs) IT Analyst EF Education First, Lucerne

William (he, him, his) Multimedia Brand Manager EF Creative Studio, Hong Kong

Throughout college and my early career, I encountered hate and bigotry too many times to count. It was so extreme that I created a secondary Facebook account to protect myself. It’s something that I’ve maintained throughout my whole career as protection for myself and to ensure I was always recognized for my work and not judged for my sexual orientation. Over the years, it was something that was a running joke in terms of which Facebook account someone was ‘friends’ with; Jessica A. (work) or Jessica (personal). What most didn’t realize was WHY it was created in the first place. I needed to feel protected and have a separation between my work and personal life.

Progress is letting go of old constructs to replace them with new, open options.

Progress is unabashedly expressing my queerness without a second thought—not having to be conscious of hiding a part of me when I meet someone new.

What changed it all… EF—and, more explicitly, my first annual review in 2012. I never used the word wife and always said spouse. I never shared what I did on the weekends or anything too personal about myself. My manager showed me compassion, showed me that it was ok to completely be ME at work, showed me that EF does not judge and would support ME… not just Jessica A. I’m fortunate to work with people who make me feel loved and supported. There is always more work to be done, but I will forever be grateful for the support I’ve received from this company. It takes one challenge away from my day-to-day life.

“The ‘work’ will never be done” Nic (she, her, hers) Senior Tour Consultant EF Go Ahead Tours, Denver Progress means recognizing that there is no ‘finish line’ for support and allyship. It’s a journey, not a destination. Progress is recognizing the ‘work’ will never be done because there will always be ways to improve this world for the people we care about and for ourselves. Progress is recognizing the wrongs in history and trying not to repeat them. And it is also making our own mistakes, acknowledging them, and learning from them faster than we ever have before.

It’s new parents refusing to define their baby’s gender with a pink or blue color scheme. It’s disclosing your identity without shame or fear of consequences. It’s your grans replying to this disclosure with a simple, yet so powerful ‘Ok, ok, but are you eating?’ It’s a child dressed as ‘batman ballerina’ at a carnival. It’s the simple realization that some things we will never be able to understand because we don’t experience them ourselves, but that doesn’t make them any less valid. It’s ‘They’ being the 2019 word of the year. Pride is standing by your identity in a world that thrives on an antique, binary concept. Progress is letting go of old concepts that may work for 90% of the population, but not you.

“I don’t need to hide who I am” Jean-Yves (he, him, his) Academic IT Manager EF International Languages Campuses, Zurich

Progress is me celebrating my Latinidad in tandem with Pride— not having to whitewash myself for the sake of others. Progress is working for a company that reflects the diversity of my communities—not being told diversity, equity, and inclusion work ‘is not a priority right now.’ Progress is having my opinions valued—not shrugged off as being too sensitive or aggressive. Progress is allies using their privilege to amplify historically suppressed voices—not just paying lip service or being performative. Progress is believing, unequivocally, Black Lives Matter. As members of the LGBTQ+ community, we owe it to our Black sisters, brothers, and gender-nonconforming siblings to support them in all aspects of their identities. As we look forward, we must never forget the work of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and the countless other Trans activists of color that led the way for so many of us to experience this so-called ‘progress.’ Ultimately, progress is not just about me. Progress is not complete until equity is reached for all.

Progress for me means that I don’t need to hide who I am and who I am within my life. It is time in 2020 that we, LGBTQ+, can be open on our relationships as would anyone else be in an office environment. So often in the past, I had to hide who I really was because my co-workers would not accept my story and would not recognize that I exist as I am. I feel lucky to be in a company where I can openly say that I am partnered with a fantastic man and talk about struggles or happy moments like everyone else. That feeling of inclusiveness is so warm; it really changes the game when it comes to selecting a company to work for.

Hear reflections from more LGBTQ+ staff. Read more

EF WORLD

#EFstrong 0

M AY 2 0 2

0 M

2020

JUNE 202

Y MA 2020

202

AP 2020 IL

20 Y JUL

APRIL 20

20 LY

J U LY 2 0 2 0

JUL

2020

202

APRIL 20

MARC

202

J U LY 2 0 2 0

202

0 JU

M AY

2020

J U LY 2 0 2

Y 2020

M AY

J U LY 2 0 2

CH 2020

Presentation

Remember to restart your computer for the latest wallpaper updates. 0

20 A

2020

JUNE 20

20 PR

In other parts of the country, our English centers are also welcoming students back into the classroom. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Video

APRIL 20

Doors are re-opening at our EF schools and offices, city by city, across China. In Wuhan, EF staff and teachers have returned to our centers after more than three months of strict lockdown.

For more news check out our "Good Vibes" M AY 2 0 2 0 Global Marketing Update. 20 0

MARCH

If you have a positive story to share, personal or professional, download the template and email it to postcards@EF.com. 2

APRIL 20

Postcard from China

M AY 2 0 2 0

CH 2020

More good news in the past few months from around the world.

M AY

N E

MARC

2020

MARCH

Staying connected

JUNE 20 2

20 2

M AY

Y 2020

2020

#EFstrong

JU N E

M AY 2 0 2 0

A RC

AY RI

2020

AY M

2020

20 Y JUL

20 LY

20 Y JUL

20 LY

RC U

AP 2020

202

APRIL 20

202

2020

AY M

L RI

AP 2020 IL

2 20

MARC

L RI 202

2020

JUNE 202

H RC A P R I L A2 0 20

JUNE 202

PR J

JUL

J U LY 2 0 2 0

20 Y

Y 2020 MA

202

J U LY 2 0 2 0

APRIL 20

2020

AY M

Y 2020

2 20

H NE

2020

20 0 M 2A Y 20

2020

L RI

LY 2

MARC

J U LY 2 0 2 0

2020

J U LY 2 0 2 0 MARC

APRIL 20 0

202

MARC

0 JU

J U LY 2 0 2

0 JU

CH 2020

We’re celebrating two new appointments as the Official Language Services Provider for the 2021 Chengdu Summer World University Games and as the Official Education Services Partner for the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation providing customized online courses, volunteer training, and assessments in Chengdu, and an educational portal for youth and educators in PyeongChang.

M AY

2020

J U LY 2 0 2

2020

JUNE 20

J U LY 2 0 2

Postcard from Chengdu & PyeongChang J U LY 2 0 2 0

CH 2020

APRIL 20

20 M A R C 0H 20

CH 2020

MARCH 0

#EFstrong

2020

MARCH 0

Meanwhile in France, the French Minister of State for the Digital Sector selected EF as the exclusive APRIL 20 20 20 language partner to support 0 French companies and citizens who were M AY 2 0 2 0 M 2 0 home with working from free online A P R I L0 2 0 20 0 2 0 English courses. 20

CH 2020

JUNE 20

M AY

MARCH 0

202

20 During this 0difficult period, we did what we could to help. In Italy, M AY 2 0 2 0 20 M 0 2 EF offered Italian medical workers, doctors, and dentists free online English.

JUL

202

JUL

JUNE 20

Thierry from France and Sachika from Japan got married in July in the EF Singapore school where they met while studying in January, 2019. They even held their socially distanced ceremony at our school with EF staff and teachers as their witnesses. Bonus: another EF baby (Kenzo) was born in August!

EF WORLD

2020

Postcard from Europe

J U LY 2 0 2

2020

J U LY 2 0 2

M AY

Postcard from Singapore 2

APRIL 20

M AY

M AY 2 0 2

0 M 20

Y 2020 MA

0 20

2020

2020 E

JU 2

Y MA

202

APRIL 20

JUL

J U LY 2

020

202

APRIL 20

JUL

CH 202

2020

M AY

2020

AP R

J U LY 2 0 20 The training program is fully funded by the 0 Mastercard Foundation as part of its 5-year “Create the Future” initiative, focused on increasing employment opportunities.

M AY

20 0 We are excited to extend our vital work in Africa! EF has joined forces with the Rwanda Development Board and Mastercard Foundation to APRIL 20 20 J U LY 2 0 20 0 provide English language, communication, and2 0 0 critical skills training to 30,000 workers in Rwanda’s tourism and hospitality sector. A

APRIL 20 2

M AY 2 0 2 0

CH 2020

2020

JUNE 202

Postcard from Rwanda

2020

M AY

#EFstrong

JUNE 20

This extensive training program is scheduled to launch in Q2 and will have a particular focus on helping women and youth. 2

J U LY 2 0 2 0

M AY 2 0 2

0 M 20

2020

NE JU

JUNE 202

Y MA

20 Y JUL

20 LY

Y JUL

L RI

AP 2020 IL

PR A

2020

20 LY

MARC

2 20

20 20

202

M AY

J U LY 2 0 2 0

Y 2020

2020

J U LY 2 0 2 0

JUNE 202

Y MA 2

2020

L RI

AP IL

20 Y JUL

APRIL 20

J U LY 2 0 2 0

U J

202

2020

202

JUL

Banjo

2020

202

20 20

0 JU

M AY

APRIL 20

2020

2020 NE

M M

J U LY 2 0 2 0

M AY

APRIL 20

202

JUL

2 20

MARC

2020

202

APRIL 20

J U LY 2 0 2 0

With love and paws, EF Boston’s Paw-some Pets

J U LY 2 0 2

The Story

Lord Iggy

M AY LY

2020

M AY 2 0 2 0

CH 2020

M AY

We understand that many of us J U L Y 2 0 2 0 0 are working from home. As early adopters to WFH, we suggest warm milk, moderate indoor exercise, and occasional daytime naps! Oh yes, and plenty of smiles!

M A

2020

APRIL 20

202

M AY

CH 2020

Dear Colleagues, 20

J U LY 2 0 2

M 0

2020

Postcard from our pets APRIL 20

0 JU

J U LY 2 0 2

LY 20

CH 2020

202

JUNE 20

M AY

MARCH

2020

M AY 2 0 2

APRIL 20

20 0

M AY

M AY 2 0 2 0

EF is working with the Football Union of Russia to train the women’s, men’s, and youth national teams, as well as referees, union staff, and officials, in English. Online training APRIL 20 20 has already begun for 0 2 referees and 0 the national teams will begin their sessions this fall. We look forward MARCH 20 20 to helping Team Russia score some 0 language goals! 0

M AY 2 0 2 0

CH 2020

A 0

J U LY 2 0 2

MARCH

M AY

Y 2020

2020

GOL! (Russian for GOAL!)

M AY 2 0 2

MARCH

JUNE 20

Postcard from Russia

Zala working hard from the home office.

When Ali submitted a picture of her cat, Alan, for a pet photo contest, she wasn’t sure how the picture would be used. Little did she know when it was posted in an office-wide pet photo contest, she would find Alan’s previous owner, fellow EFer Reid! Reid and his roommates, sadly, had to find a new home for Alan last fall when their new apartment had a strict no-pet policy. Now that they are all reunited online, Ali, Alan, and Reid look forward to videocalling to say hello to old feline friends, while sparking new EF friendships.

EF WORLD

202

Noteworthy

New awards & partnerships Best Breakthrough Experience Award

EF Hello shown to be the fastest way to learn english

Our English language learning app EF Hello has won the 2019 MUX award for “Breakthrough Experience.” EF Hello shares the honor with other finalists such Peloton, Starbucks, and TED. With more than one million students around the world using the app, EF Hello is grateful to be acknowledged by the MUX Award judging panel which included design leaders behind the most influential mobile apps in the world including Facebook, Netflix, and Airbnb.

EF Hello

15hrs

rosetTa stone

20 hrs

Since its launch, EF Hello has received powerful positive responses with over 50,000 5-star reviews and 35 Apple App Store features including “New Apps We Love,” “Editor’s Favorite,” and “Best Education App.”

Mango languages

23 hrs iTalki

29 hrs

Say hello to Study Buddy

babbel

32 hrs duolingo

39 hrs

= 3 hours

University of Cambridge study confirms EF Hello’s effectiveness With the increasing popularity of foreign language learning apps on mobile devices, users are becoming increasingly interested in whether these apps are actually effective in enhancing language learning. Dr. Xiaobin Chen, Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge, conducted a study to measure the effectiveness of learning with EF Hello (a conversation-driven language learning app) in real-life conditions.

Hence, Dr. Chen used a randomized and controlled experimental design which is better able to reveal the “true” learning effects of EF Hello in real-life settings.

Efficacy studies on language learning apps have become popular in recent years. Other studies have all used a one-group experiment design which makes it difficult to disentangle the effects of the app being tested and other learning opportunities on proficiency development.

Dr. Chen’s experiment confirmed that EF Hello is effective in enhancing English learning and promoting English proficiency. Participants that used the free version of EF Hello on average gained one CEFR level of improvement with about 15 hours of learning in the app!

This set his study of EF Hello at a scientifically rigorous level compared to similar studies. All participants of Dr. Chen’s study completed an EF SET test before and after the experiment. Participants were recruited from a Chinese university in Yunnan province and are Chinese nationals whose native language is Mandarin Chinese.

Hult wins The Drum Design Award 2020 Hult offers a non-traditional approach to education yet its visual identity swam in a sea of sameness amongst other traditional business schools. Our challenge was to create a visual identity that was instantly recognizable as non-traditional. Influenced by charts and graphs, a common part of the visual lexicon of business presentations, Hult’s library of shapes act like a watermark on photography. They are bold and evoke curiosity, even when combined with traditional typography or photography. The shapes can be standalone works of art, combining the worlds of beauty and business. They come in infinite shapes, colours and sizes. They are charts with an attitude that we could almost call a rebellious watermark. This perfectly captures Hult’s brand identity as the visionary rebel of education. We’re pleased to be recognized by The Drum Design Awards for Brand Identity Design this year.

EF WORLD

Our AI-powered learning device designed specifically for EF Small Star kids is a nextgeneration smart speaker, developed by EF EdTech. Study Buddy mixes intelligent and playful design to help our youngest kids practice English anytime, anywhere through fun songs, stories, and games. The speaker is voice-activated and evaluates students’ language skills using an EF-patented speech testing engine. Study Buddy’s eyes blink and animate, providing learners with visual feedback. Parents can manage students’ routines and progress through a companion mobile app created just for them.

New collaboration between Hult and Ernst & Young Hult International Business School is partnering with Ernst & Young (EY), one of the largest professional services firms in the world to deliver a cutting-edge, corporate MBA to EY’s 284,000 employees in over 150 countries. Hult has always been at the forefront of pioneering higher education and creating innovative learning models. Helping companies to upskill their staff in a rapidly changing environment, acquire relevant knowledge, and apply it, is at the core of Hult’s mission to be the world’s most relevant business school. EY employees studying the program will be able to build their own personal MBA curriculum from a broad range of subject areas that include: AI, Blockchain, Robotic Process Automation, Diversity & Inclusion, and Sustainable Business Practices.

Peeps & Pops

New Babies Leia EF Dad: Unggul Putra Hult Mom: Nadia Roringpandey EF Hong Kong

Arthur EF Mom: Tess Darci EF Boston

Sterre EF Dad: Julius van den Berg EF Pro Cycling

Diego EF Mom: Leonor Martínez EF Panama

Figo EF Mom: Nayeli Vivanco EF Boston

Campbell EF Mom: Suzi Meconi EF Boston

Max EF Mom: Fenna Kester EF Zurich

Calvin EF Mom: Arielle Lipshaw EF Boston

Kayden EF Dad: Musa Sunandar EF Jakarta

Julia EF Mom: Shawna Sullivan EF Boston

Isabella EF Mom: Niki Cross EF Boston

Logan EF Mom: Melisse Lombard EF Boston

Warren EF Mom: Durban Ripley EF Denver

Astrid EF Dad: Rasmus Henriksson EF Mom: Samantha Henriksson EF London

Maxine EF Dad: Mike Woods EF Pro Cycling

Lai Chun Yin EF Mom: Manki Man EF Hong Kong

Luciano EF Mom: Karina Ortega EF Quito

Avi EF Mom: Emily Mantell EF Boston

Marissa Geiger & James Campbell 27 July 2019 / EF Boston

Anna Koa & Vito Ostuni 23 August 2019 / EF Zurich

Ayla Geller & Gilead Ini 22 September 2019 / EF Boston

Nicole Fiore & Natalie Doyle 12 October 2019 / EF Boston

Ali Jennings & Brent Kocis 2 November 2019 / EF Boston

Katie Sullivan & Christian Geelan 6 December 2019 / EF Boston

Erin McClure & David Chiu 1 February 2020 / EF Shanghai

Toni Alongi & Rob Raymond 16 February 2020 / EF Boston

Sarah Sunter & Sander Koop 21 February 2020 / EF London

Bridget Burgoyne & John Cowan 21 March 2020 / EF Boston

Emily Burke & Tom Heffernan 13 June 2020 / EF Boston

Wedding Bells

Day to day security tips

Visit security.ef.com for more information

The Global IT Security team from EF London wants you to stay safe while working from home with these practical tips.

Learn more in their recent Cyber Hygiene webinar.

Passwords are like underwear

Be skeptical

Make it your own

If in doubt, shout!

Change them regularly, don’t leave them on your desk, don’t loan them to anyone.

If an email seems even a little bit strange, think before you click.

Treat EF information in the same way that you would treat your own information.

Report anything not quite right to security@ef.com; ask us anything!

Click here

EF WORLD

EF World 2020 Edition

Download all EF World issues on Globalnet

News for EF Peeps & Pops? Please send to lydia.burns@ef.com EF WORLD

Edition 1

Edition 12

Edition 5

Edition 4

Edition 10

Edition 6

You can download digital versions of EF World from globalnet.ef.com

Ideas & articles for EF World? Please send to lydia.burns@ef.com