"When you tell your story, start the story in Malta," said Andrew Mangion, explaining his motivation to inspire young Maltese while celebrating EC's 25 year milestone.

Global English language group, EC English Language Centres, is expanding its 30+ offering worldwide, answering growing demand for adult language learning with new schools in New York, Toronto and Malta.

Global ELT chain, EC English Language Centres, is gathering pace in its US expansion, as two new schools, due to open in January, will bring its total number of schools to 21, spanning five countries. The company has said the US is now its "primary destination country".

A perfect storm of financial, logistical and access problems mean that many Venezuelans – potential international students – are finding their ambitions are currently being hampered. Education agents are counselling long lead times to plan trips overseas to enable students to overcome Cadivi (currency exchange) problems and to mitigate against limited flight availability. Sara Custer reports.

Ambitious global English language company EC has announced that its newest school will be opening in central Manchester, UK. With one of the largest student populations in the world and the infamous Curry Mile and a bustling Chinatown, Manchester will be an exciting seventh school for EC in the UK.

EC Malta recently welcomed Italian actor, model and the 2011 winner of Italian TV show Big Brother to its student cohort. The English language school chain is using its celebrity student to publicise its ELT offer among its target student demographic.

We believe that our purpose is helping students succeed in the global community. We're arming students with what they need to then go on to either great jobs or on to universities

The last few years have presented the international education sector with significant challenges, but the continuing demand has kept most businesses buoyant and growth on the agenda. The PIE takes a look at a selection of the key players in language, pathways and higher education that are navigating through somewhat turbulent times.