EF Education First (abbreviated as EF) is an international education company that specializes in language training, educational travel, academic degree programs, and cultural exchange. The company was founded in 1965 by Bertil Hult in the Swedish university town of Lund. The company is privately held by the Hult family. As of 2017, EF had approximately 52,000 employees in 116 countries.The company has particular focus in China and other Asian markets under the brand name "English First".