In correspondence with agents seen by The PIE News, EC English said: “due to unforeseen operational circumstances, we are unable to accept any new student arrivals to our EC English schools this weekend” [12/13 September].
The school said it would not be able to provide students with their planned program or accommodation and asked agents to contact students immediately to tell them the news.
“We appreciate that this is extremely short notice and that this will be particularly difficult for you, your students and their families who have put trust in you as their booking agent, especially where flights and other travel arrangements have already been made.”
“We are deeply sorry for the disruption and uncertainty this will undoubtably cause.”
EC English said its immediate priority was to ensure that students due to travel this weekend did not commence their journeys, and that it would provide an update to partners “when the position has been confirmed”.
The company did not immediately respond to The PIE’s request for comment.
We are unable to accept any new student arrivals to our EC English schools this weekend
EC English Language Centres
The PIE understands that the shock news of EC English’s inability to accept students this term has caused panic among education agents globally and accommodation providers contracted by EC.
Global Vizyon director Deniz Akar in Turkey said he had several students due to start at EC English in the UK this weekend. “They paid full fees, accommodation and flight tickets leaving in one day … and we don’t know what’s going to happen.”
He said the students’ flights would most likely be postponed as they wait for news from EC English.
Under membership rules of English UK members, if one member school closes, others are obliged to try and accept the students if possible.
“They [English UK] will probably offer an alternative school, but I am really sorry for the alternative schools because this is now becoming a big headache for them as well,” said Akar.
Given EC’s statement applies to all schools in seven countries, it is also not sure how students headed for countries in which no ELT membership guarantee may exist would be protected if the position remains as is. EC has schools in the UK, Ireland, Canada, USA, UAE, South Africa and Malta, where it was originally founded.
Established in 1991, EC English runs 25 language schools across those markets. Its students come from over 120 countries.
The company closed its Bristol school this June and is set to close its Montreal site at the end of September, after a strategic review of its global operations earlier this year.
Having announced plans to launch new summer programs in Spain and China, it said that closing the sites would allow it to direct more resources towards its strongest-performing centres.
“By focusing our investment on fewer locations, we are positioning EC to deliver even greater quality and impact in the years ahead.” EC English CEO Andrew Mangion told The PIE at the time.
Though saddened by the recent news, Akar said he wasn’t surprised given the challenging sector environment and he pointed out there had been some unsustainable commission rates being offered to agencies as school groups tried to compete in a declining marketplace. “The English language industry is really suffering all around the world”.
It follows two consecutive years of decline for English Language Teaching (ELT) globally, with new data revealing student weeks fell by 23% in 2025, while student numbers dropped by 10%.
With experts forecasting further drops in 2026, they have warned providers to adapt to the emergence of a new market structure with fewer adult learners, shorter stays, and more opportunities in the juniors market.
Amid continuing post-Covid challenges, ELT partners have expressed their support for EC English since hearing the news.
“We know how tough post-pandemic recovery and the last few years have been, placing immense pressure on finances across our industry,” Sebastian Barrientos, LatAm managing director at Grasshopper International education agency wrote on LinkedIn.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support, outstanding service mindset, and dedication to our students over all these years.”
