Talk:EF Education First

Link to Hult
Please explain why the two entities should be linked. No context has been given, no third party reference. They happen to have the same owner, not much else. Or can you give more reasons.Luckylou222 (talk) 03:51, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

Yes there is a relationship, but it think the nature and detail of the relationship should be included. One sentence is not a great addition to WikipediaLuckylou222 (talk) 16:14, 7 July 2010 (UTC)

"They're affiliated in some fashion" - I think we both know that this is not enough for inclusion in an encyclopaedia.Luckylou222 (talk) 16:42, 7 July 2010 (UTC)


 * You say that the two companies "happen to have the same owner, not much else." It would appear that you know a lot about EF and Hult, but you don't want anyone else to know. Do you have sources?
 * There are plenty of reliable sources indicating an affiliation, but they do not indicate the precise nature of that affiliation. I think that Wikipedia users should be given access to the information that these entities are affiliated. --Orlady (talk) 17:33, 7 July 2010 (UTC)


 * What is the point of listing one subsidiary of EF? Please do explain. As for the nonsense "you don't want anyone else to know", take a more professional approach please.Luckylou222 (talk) 02:22, 8 July 2010 (UTC)
 * Please see WP:IDONTLIKEIT for other indications that your apparent rationale for removing this information is against Wikipedia practice. --Orlady (talk) 15:08, 8 July 2010 (UTC)


 * Please state the reason why the one sentence regarding Hult should be included, if you don't have a good reason, it should be removed. I have tried to engage in discussion, but you have provided no argument for your case. Luckylou222 (talk) 05:01, 8 July 2010 (UTC)


 * I saw no reason to write an essay on the subject to satisfy the demands of a user whose entire involvement with Wikipedia has been aimed at removing information about EF and Hult.
 * There happens to be sourced information about a relationship (although that relationship is described different ways in different sources, leading me to use the word "affiliated" because the nature of the relationship is not verifiable) between EF and another entity that has a Wikipedia article. Yes, it's an isolated factoid, but Wikipedia does not exclude sourced, objective information from an article merely because the article is not replete with other information about the topic.
 * You apparently know a lot about EF, but don't want to contribute your information and sources to the article. That's OK, but your lack of interest in contributing does not justify removing other people's contributions. --Orlady (talk) 15:05, 8 July 2010 (UTC)
 * You still have not explained why one particular related entity should be mentioned in an almost throwaway sentence. No essay required. Can you explain or will just continue to avoid the question? Luckylou222 (talk) 23:49, 8 July 2010 (UTC)

Research
In 2014, EF released a suite of free online standardized English tests called the EF Standard English Test (EF SET). EF Learning Labs publishes the annual EF English Proficiency Index, a ranking of English language skills by country based on EF SET test results. The EF EPI claims to show a link between a country’s adult English proficiency and its economic competitiveness.

EF researchers have collaborated with Cambridge University, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and several other higher education institutions to research second language acquisition processes.

Sponsorships
The company has a history of affiliation with international sporting events. EF is the official supplier of language training services to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and held the same position for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio , the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi , the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. The 3-time Olympian DeeDee Trotter is the EF Olympics brand ambassador. The yacht EF Language, sponsored by the company, won the 1997-1998 Whitbread Round the World Race with the yacht EF Education also competing the same year. In 2017, EF became one of the primary sponsors of the professional cycling team EF Education First Drapac.

Philanthropy
After the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, EF committed to rebuild Jalapa Devi Higher Secondary School using Japanese quake-resistant construction methods. The school opened to students in early 2018. Every year, EF sponsors students to attend its annual student leader's summit and offers a number of scholarships for international student travel. K8bell (talk) 12:41, 14 March 2018 (UTC)

Reply quotebox with inserted reviewer decisions and feedback 14-MAR-2018
Below you will see where text from your request has been quoted and individual advisory messages – either accepting, declining or otherwise commenting upon your proposals – have been inserted underneath each major proposal. Please see the Notes section at the bottom of the quotebox for additional information about each request.      Spintendo       15:06, 14 March 2018 (UTC)

Thank you for having a look at this. On d above, is something like the text below more appropriate?

Sponsorships
The company has a history of affiliation with international sporting events. EF is the official supplier of language training services to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and held the same position for the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio , the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi , the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. These partnerships involved EF providing language testing for volunteer candidates; online and in-person language training for athletes, staff, and volunteers; and Olympics-themed English learning materials for local schools. The yacht EF Language, sponsored by the company, won the 1997-1998 Whitbread Round the World Race with the yacht EF Education also competing the same year. In 2017, EF became the title sponsor of the professional cycling team EF Education First Drapac, renaming the team and releasing new uniforms with the EF logo prominently featured. The company became involved when another potential sponsor backed out, leaving the team $7million short.

Reply quotebox with inserted reviewer decisions and feedback 16-MAR-2018
Below you will see where text from your request has been quoted and individual advisory messages – either accepting, declining or otherwise commenting upon your proposals – have been inserted underneath each major proposal. Please see the Notes section at the bottom of the quotebox for additional information about each request.      Spintendo       11:35, 16 March 2018 (UTC)

Request edit on 9 June 2023
I am requesting that the recently-added "Controversy" section of this article be removed. I am using this channel as a long-time editor of Wikipedia. I do not want my conflict of interest to interfere with determining what is correct in this case. - The section misrepresents the facts. After a lengthy investigation, the school has been found not criminally responsible and the district attorney is not pressing charges. This section misrepresents a tragic event, then goes on to list sensational recent coverage by Italian media seeking out a handful of customers who have unrelated complaints. - The section is disproportionately lengthy compared to the rest of the rest of the page. - The EF Education First page has been subject to vandalism in the past from unhappy customers. This anonymous addition makes it impossible to engage with the editor in question.
 * What I think should be changed:
 * Why it should be changed:
 * References supporting the possible change (format using the "cite" button):

K8bell (talk) 17:27, 15 June 2023 (UTC)


 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: No way. The text needs some improvement though. Quetstar (talk) 20:32, 15 June 2023 (UTC)


 * Thanks for having a look at the change request. Would it be possible to get a little more detail on your reasoning? K8bell (talk) 06:59, 16 June 2023 (UTC)
 * The events described in this section are appropriate as a matter of balance. However, the text is poorly written and needs a rewrite. Quetstar (talk) 12:06, 18 June 2023 (UTC)
 * Would it be acceptable for me to draft a rewrite and submit it for your review here? K8bell (talk) 07:40, 19 June 2023 (UTC)

Cleanup and expansion of History section

 * What I think should be changed (include citations):

1965 – 1979
Bertil Hult dropped out of college to launch EF’s initial product: English immersion trips to the UK for Swedish students. He had struggled to learn English in school but while interning for a shipbroker in London, he found he picked English up more easily. He came to believe that “learning by doing” could be as effective as traditional classroom methods.

In the 1970s, EF opened language schools and expanded sales across Western Europe and Asia. In 1972, EF opened its first school in Japan, just as English language keyboards were introduced there. In 1979, the company introduced its first cultural exchange program: EF High School Exchange Year.

1980 – 1995
In the 1980s, EF began organizing educational travel and immersion programs for North Americans with no language learning component, including EF Explore America, EF Educational Tours, and EF Go Ahead Tours. The company also launched an au pair program in 1988, EF Au Pair, today Cultural Care Au Pair, which is regulated by the U.S. Department of State.

In 1988, EF served for the first time as the official language training services provider for the Seoul Olympic Games, giving free language training services to judges, athletes, volunteers, and host country residents. The company went on to serve in the same capacity for Beijing 2008, Sochi 2014, Rio 2016, PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.

In 1993, EF opened its first office in China. The company’s network of English language schools in China grew quickly. It differentiated itself from competitors by marketing its international footprint and hiring native English-speaking teachers from abroad. It selected its expansion locations by looking for cities with a university, a McDonalds, and more than 1 million residents. Also in 1993, EF hired graphic designer Paul Rand to redesign its logo.

1996 – 2005
In 1996, the company launched EF Englishtown, now EF English Live, which was among the first online English schools. In 1997, EF sponsored two teams in the Whitbread Round the World Race – a men’s team (EF Language) that won the competition, and the race’s first fully female-helmed team (EF Education).

In 2002, the Hult family purchased the Arthur D. Little School of Management, which was subsequently renamed Hult International Business School. Hult is one of the few triple-accredited business schools in the United States.

2006 – 2015
EF and Hult International Business School started Hult Prize in 2010, which challenges young people to solve the planet’s pressing issues through social entrepreneurship. The Hult family donates $1M USD in annual seed capital to the winning team.

In 2011, EF introduced the EF English Proficiency Index, an annual ranking of countries by their English skills. In 2014, EF launched the EF Standard English Test – a free, certifying English test designed for non-native English speakers. In the same year, EF partnered with Community Boating, Inc., the oldest public sailing center in the United States, to help people with physical and cognitive disabilities learn how to sail.

EF celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015 with a series of events in Boston including “A Day with World Leaders” with speakers including Bill Clinton, Gordon Brown, Steve Wozniak, and Priyanka Chopra. The same year, EF reconstructed the Jalapa Devi HSS School in Sindhupalchowk following an earthquake in Nepal.

2016 – Present
In 2016, EF became the educational sponsor of the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. The two organizations collaborated to publish a textbook, Nobel Journeys, which presents the lives and accomplishments of Nobel Laureates.

In 2017, EF purchased the EF Education–EasyPost professional men’s cycling team. In 2023, EF launched a women’s professional cycling team, EF Education – Cannondale.

In 2020, following the 2015 merger of Hult International Business School with Ashridge Business School, EF began offering executive training for international organizations, including via Amazon’s Career Choice program. The same year, EF began working with the Mastercard Foundation and the Rwandan Development Board to help Rwandan youth improve their English to access professional opportunities and support the country’s hospitality industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to EF’s travel-oriented businesses; however, it also led to growth in the company’s online programs.

In 2022, the company opened a new campus in Pasadena, California to support enrollment growth in its private boarding school product, EF Academy. The following year, EF served as the Official Language Training Services Supplier for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

First, I'd like to thank whoever decides to pick up this edit request. It isn't small and I appreciate your time.
 * Why it should be changed:

Second, I work for EF and have done for 20 years. I've wrongly made edits to the EF page directly in the past and will no longer be doing that going forward.

Now for the why: EF is a relatively large company (see Boston Globe reference in the introduction: the largest company in the state of Massachusetts as of 2017) with a relatively short and eclectic Wikipedia page as compared to others in the education and travel industries (see Kaplan, Inc., Tui Group, Educational Testing Service, etc.). My intention is to help with the legwork required to restructure the History section, organizing the information already on the page and adding period headings and additional detail where references allow. I am not submitting these changes in smaller chunks because I don't think the history section will make sense unless revisited as a whole. Again, I appreciate the size of the request and thank you in advance for your time.


 * References supporting the possible change (format using the "cite" button):

K8bell (talk) 16:14, 19 February 2024 (UTC)


 * I forgot to mention that, if accepted, these changes would eliminate the need for the "Sports" subsection currently on the page. K8bell (talk) 16:30, 19 February 2024 (UTC)
 * Not Done Some of the changes seems to be citing unreliable sources. Please review WP:RSP to check what citations were unreliable. ABG (Talk/Report any mistakes here) 03:22, 29 May 2024 (UTC)
 * I have reviewed these proposed changes and suggest that you go ahead and make the proposed changes to the page. ABG (Talk/Report any mistakes here) 02:39, 10 June 2024 (UTC)