Guinness World Records has confirmed that English UK London and London Nest’s attempt to break the record for the highest number of nationalities in an English language class was successful.

“This is a tremendous achievement and acknowledgement of all the hard work that goes on by our member language schools in bringing people from all over the world to study in the capital,” English UK London Chair Mark Rendell said.

Many in the UK ELT industry will remember the event last year.

At the English UK London summer party on a sunny July 21, students from 57 countries including Angola, St Kitts and Nevis, Sri Lanka and Guatemala attended a lesson on English phrasal verbs.

“This is just the recognition London deserves for being open, welcoming people from all over the world to learn English”

Organised to celebrate London’s cultural diversity and openness, that lesson made history, breaking a previous record of 50 nationalities in a single ELT class.

A confirmation from Guinness World Records was slow to arrive, but the official certificate has now been presented to representatives of London Nest and English UK London.

Commenting on the news, Herbertson told The PIE News:  “This is just the recognition London deserves for being open, welcoming people from all over the world to learn English.”

“It is no surprise that London is the number one destination for learning English in the UK and the most diverse capital in the world.”

“Thanks to all the students that came along to make this possible and all the English UK London schools who made it happen,” he added.