EnglishCentral

About EnglishCentral

EnglishCentral operates a web-based platform for conversational English language learning, accessible on both desktop and mobile devices. Founded in 2008 by Alan Schwartz, the company was established to merge speech recognition technology with authentic media to create an effective language learning tool. Schwartz's background includes over a decade in the speech recognition industry at firms like AT&T Labs and Nuance, where he was VP & General Manager of the Mobile & Automotive business. His journey into EdTech was also shaped by his early career experience teaching English in China, which provided the inspiration to combine his two areas of expertise.

The company's business model is primarily subscription-based, serving individual learners, schools, and corporate clients. For educational institutions, EnglishCentral offers a platform that can be integrated into existing curriculums, allowing teachers to create classes, assign video-based homework, and track student progress through detailed reports. Revenue is generated from individual subscription plans and contracts with schools and enterprises. Since its inception, the company has secured significant funding, including a Series A round led by Google Ventures in 2009 and a later Series B round, with total funding amounting to over $15 million. In 2013, EnglishCentral acquired Langrich, a Japan-based online English school.

The platform's core offering revolves around a "Watch-Learn-Speak" methodology. Users can access a library of over 20,000 videos on diverse topics, which are leveled for difficulty. The learning process involves watching these videos with transcripts, learning new vocabulary through interactive exercises, and then practicing speaking. A key feature is the proprietary IntelliSpeech℠ technology, which provides instant automated feedback on a user's pronunciation and fluency by comparing their speech to that of native speakers. The system builds specific mistake models for learners based on their native language to offer more targeted feedback. To supplement the AI-driven tools, the platform offers "GoLive!", a feature that connects learners with live tutors for 24/7 one-on-one video chat lessons to practice conversation based on the video content they have studied.