For partners 
One of the largest, best-known, and most popular networks of language centers — EC English Language Centres — has announced that it is completely ceasing operations, closing its 25 schools around the world effective September 14, 2026. Bankruptcy, liquidation, insolvency, or external administration procedures have been initiated — depending on the location of the school and the applicable jurisdiction of the country where the school was operating.
Reasons for the collapse
The main stated reason is “difficult financial conditions and the inability to attract additional investment.” According to EC English, in recent years financial and market conditions had been extremely difficult, despite management's efforts to stabilize the business. The network's leadership engaged professional consultants and sought new financing, investors, and strategic partners, but no major deals materialized.
On September 10, all EC English agents received an urgent notice that enrollment of new students had been suspended and those arriving on September 12–13 were asked to cancel their trips; then, on September 14, a message appeared stating that the company's operations were ceasing immediately and the workforce was being reduced to a minimum. The company states that it will endeavor to carry out the liquidation process responsibly and in an orderly manner, with due consideration for all partners, agents, employees — and, of course, students.
History of EC English
The company began operating in Malta, quickly gained popularity, and expanded into the international market, focusing on teaching English as a foreign language. Before the pandemic, at the height of its development, its schools (for adults and children) annually enrolled around 45,000–50,000 students, with branches operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, the United States, the UAE, South Africa, and Malta itself.
What will happen to the students?
The company has yet to announce a clear, unified support plan for more than 40,000 students already enrolled in EC English programs. However, some statements have already been made:
- Students residing in EC English accommodation have had their stay extended until September 19, after which they will be offered the best available alternative options,
- In the United Kingdom the Student Emergency Support (SES) program has been activated: approximately 370 students will be transferred to the closest matching courses at no additional charge,
- In Canada approximately 420 people are counted among those “affected” — they are likewise being offered comparable programs from other language centers in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver,
- In the United States 202 people were enrolled at the time of the closure: they are being matched with comparable courses near the closing centers (though the number of available places is not yet known — the academic year had only just begun and there had been no withdrawals yet),
- In South Africa (English South Africa (ESA)), many schools across the country have already expressed their readiness to accept EC English students: Avenue English, Bayswater, ELC (University of Cape Town), Good Hope Studies, LAL, IH Cape Town,
- In Malta, schools that are members of FELTOM are working on an urgent support plan for students to ensure their studies are not interrupted.
It is worth noting that this is not the first such news (though this case is among the most high-profile). The global English-as-a-foreign-language teaching sector, having barely recovered from the pandemic, has been grappling with severe economic challenges, shifts in market structure, and an overall decline in student numbers. How the situation will continue to develop and whether further major changes lie ahead remains to be seen.
