Based on the school's 50 years of experience in language instruction, EF Efekta is also accessible via standard internet browsers and dedicated apps for iPad and Android tablets.

"With the number of smartphone users in the world fast approaching two billion, and nearly one billion people learning and speaking English as a second or foreign language, developing a smartphone app for our school really was a no-brainer," said Andy Bailey, CMO, EFCorporate Solutions. "Our challenge was not if we were going to develop an app, but how."

Bailey explained, "A mobile phone represents very different ergonomics to sitting in front of a browser or even working with a tablet. We couldn't just transpose our current school onto phones."

With that in mind, EF researched the implication of how people use a learning program on smartphones - notably in short, frequent bursts as time and opportunity allow. The research uncovered two key findings: The first was that increasing the number of opportunities students have to study increases the overall time spent learning. The second was that short frequent bursts of course interaction via phone were particularly effective for students at lower proficiency levels.

EF then built the app around smartphone "learning moments" - short, frequent sessions as time and opportunity allow - and focused initially towards delivering the best possible learning experiences to people with lower proficiency levels.

Based on the proprietary EF Method™ that has helped EF become the world's most popular language school for business and government organizations, the new app follows the same curriculum and lesson structure as the current school, with learning units and progression levels aligned to the Common European Framework Reference (CEFR).

Because it shares the same Content Delivery Platform as the rest of EF's learning tools, the app also allows offline learning and full synchronization of completed modules, units, and other activities. This allows users to pause whenever they like, then pick up their studies again at any time and place, using whatever device they choose.

"Our company mission is to open the world through education. This drives what we do," said Bailey. "This new app is very exciting for us, and with it we hope our students find more opportunities to learn."