The agreement will see the providers merge their products and benefit from shared agent networks, and ELC will be strategically placed in the international English language market, as South African providers hope to take advantage of the country’s open borders.

“The Language Excursions will add a unique selling point to our English language programs”

ELC has been operating face-to-face English lessons since August, following strict Covid-19 health protocols, while South Africa’s three main airport hubs in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban continue to receive international travellers including students.

“I have been looking for collaboration opportunities in and outside of South Africa for a while now and I am extremely happy that ELC and Kurus English could come to an agreement to bring two quality schools together under one roof,” said Johannes Kraus, owner and founder of Kurus English in a statement.

Kraus has taken over the business development section within ELC to ensure a smooth transition of the two language schools and to strategically place ELC in the international ELT market, the providers added.

“During our conversations over the past months, I could see that Kurus English is the perfect fit to our current products and existing agent network,” said Simon Harrison, principal and founder of ELC.

“I also believe that the Language Excursions will add a unique selling point to our English language programs not to mention that we will be able to draw on Johannes’ extensive networks and experience in the ELT industry.

“I am very excited about the way forward and the future of the English Language Centre.”