The Bell Educational Trust

Changing Lives

A foreword by David Pottinger, Bell’s Chief Executive

David Pottinger,
CEO

In 1972, Frank Bell established an educational charity - the Bell Educational Trust (now trading as Bell International). Its main aims remain: to provide language education, mainly in English, for adult students and young learners; to train teachers of English; and to offer language learning and teacher training experiences that will promote international understanding and intercultural exchange. The Trust has no shareholders, and money from fees is reinvested in developing and improving the services and facilities for students, and the worldwide services that are offered. The Trust has a Board of Governors and an Academic Board.

Although Frank might be a little surprised at the size of the Bell organisation today – more than 40 teaching centres in 15 countries, teaching over 100,000 students from more than 120 countries each year – he would certainly recognise the quality philosophy which has been at the heart of what we do for over 50 years. This continues to inspire myself, my colleagues, teachers, agents and our students.

That is because at Bell our goal remains a simple one: to change lives around the world by offering people learning experiences that will remain with them forever.

2007 saw us take some major steps towards that goal, with the opening of new Bell centres in Beijing, Qatar and Vietnam and an outstanding new facility in London. We also announced the purchase of Bedgebury School, set in a magnificent estate in the South East of England – offering what we believe to be the best language school facilities in the UK.

We believe 2008 looks like being even more exciting and very much look forward to welcoming you to one of our centres. Whatever your language goals – in life, work or education – in Bell you have a partner committed to help you achieve them.

The Bell Story