English UK - who we are and what we do
UK English language teaching transforms lives, strengthens our nation and builds enduring global relationships.
English UK is the UK's national trade association of accredited English language teaching (ELT) centres. We represent around 300 member centres across the UK and have worked to raise standards in UK ELT since 2004.
We support our members through training and advice, international marketing, and advocacy for the sector - helping learners from around the world come to the UK to improve their English and experience our culture
English UK is a registered charity.
Our Strategy to 2030
At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, UK ELT is a powerful force for intercultural understanding, international connection and opportunity.
Each year, our sector helps people from around the world achieve their ambitions while making a major contribution to the UK economy. UK ELT is worth around £2 billion and supports tens of thousands of jobs across all four nations.
The value of our sector goes far beyond economics. Every learner welcomed into our centres deepens the UK's global influence, builds trust between cultures and reinforces our reputation as an open, outward looking country.
In an unstable world, language education remains one of the UK's most effective and enduring forms of soft power.
Our mission, vision and values
Our mission is to harness the collective energy of our membership to champion and advance UK ELT.
Our vision is for a UK English language teaching sector that transforms lives through learning and intercultural understanding.
Our values are community, inclusivity, integrity, responsibility, and sustainability
Supporting and promoting quality in English language teaching
English UK membership is a badge of quality. Member centres must meet the challenging welfare and teaching standards of Accreditation UK, the world's leading ELT quality scheme. English UK runs Accreditation UK in partnership with the British Council.
We are committed to the professional development of our members, offering training and CPD through our events and training programme.
We offer students a complaints service and emergency support if things go wrong.
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Student statistics for the UK ELT sector
Our annual student statistics and quarterly student statistics (QUIC) have transformed the insights available to our members and the wider UK ELT sector. We work closely with our insight partner BONARD on these.
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Promoting our members and UK ELT worldwide
We help maximise business opportunities for members through targeted promotional events and activities in the UK and overseas. These include StudyWorld events in the UK and China and international events to promote UK ELT.
Promotional campaigns include English with Confidence, a Covid-19 recovery campaign delivered in partnership with the Britain is GREAT campaign.
Our partner agency scheme helps members team up with professional and knowledgeable study travel agencies.
Helping our members succeed
To help member centres thrive, we offer benefits including regular Q&As and webinars, support with student visa queries, access to campaigning resources, discounted copyright and motion picture licences, discounted attendance at our conferences and training, a free place at our annual members' conference, regular updates and bulletins and access to tendering opportunities.
Our corporate members include leading industry service providers who attend our events and communicate with members, building closer working relationships with language centres.
Our partner agents are listed in our partner agency directory, linking quality agents with quality ELT centres to benefit students.
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Speaking for the UK ELT sector
We campaign for policies that will help the UK's English language teaching industry to thrive. Our public affairs team works to create the best possible operating environment for UK ELT.
Our recent publications and reports
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