English Language Centre (ELC) York, the leading provider of English language courses in York, has today been acquired by student travel business TUI Education, a division of TUI Travel.

Founded in 1997, ELC York provides high quality language courses to students from 44 countries globally.

Complementing TUI Education’s growing language portfolio of businesses which comprise EAC, the Hampstead School of English and the Manchester Academy of English, ELC York specialises in teaching General English, IELTS for university entry purposes and the Cambridge University CELTA teacher training course aimed at anyone wishing to teach English as a foreign language.

Welcoming 1,000 students through its doors last year, ELC York prides itself on sound teaching principles, taught by excellent teachers.

It has 18 classrooms and a capacity of 180 students with the option of home-stay accommodation or residential at Cornmill Lodge.

Set in a beautiful city-centre location inside York’s historic walls, the school comprises of three adjacent Grade II listed Georgian properties on New Street.

Ian Finlay, managing director of TUI Education, part of the Specialist & Activity Sector of TUI Travel, commented: “This is an exciting time for the Education Division as ELC York offers the opportunity to grow in the popular English language teaching arena.

“This is a highly significant acquisition for us and we are delighted to be working with Judy, Hugh and their team.

“ELC York will be a valuable addition to our portfolio and this acquisition is an important step in our strategy to grow our language businesses through acquisitions and organic development.

“We look forward to capitalising on the school’s links in the Middle East and cross-selling into our existing school and agent portfolio.”

Tourism in York

York is the third most popular tourist destination in the UK, receiving 3.8 million visitors per year.

ELC York offers students a safe compact historical city with an abundance of excursions on its doorstep including Castle Howard and Whitby.

A social programme also provides students with a world of experiences beyond the classroom.

ELC owner, Judy MacDermot, commented: “TUI Education has a wonderful reputation and the fact that we are going to be part of their portfolio of individual schools is a great opportunity for us.

“Our staff are delighted to be part of such a prestigious company. The market for English language courses in the UK has evolved beyond recognition since we first set up ELC York 14 years ago.

“We have always been passionate about providing the very highest level in English language teaching and becoming part of TUI Education means we can continue to do this.”

City.Mobi

Also in the UK today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to York.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

York.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.