ABA English

What ABA English does

ABA English (legally ENGLISH WORLDWIDE, S.L.) is a Barcelona-based digital English language learning academy founded in 2006, serving individual learners and corporate clients across 100+ countries. Its core product is a video-based English course built on the proprietary "Natural Method" — a film-immersion pedagogy that mirrors natural language acquisition: listening first, then speaking via imitation, and finally writing with grammar rules. The platform delivers 144 course units across 6 CEFR levels (A1 beginner through C1 business), with certified teacher-led group review classes, unlimited live conversation sessions hosted on BigMarker, and a speech-recognition "Listen-Record-Compare" feature for pronunciation practice. Distribution runs through the company's own web platform (academy.abaenglish.com) and native iOS, Android, and Huawei apps, with the site localized into 8 languages.

Under the hood, ABA English combines a 144-unit film-based content library with applied AI/ML and natural language processing to personalize the learning path, optimize units, and analyze student needs, supported by an internal "ABA English Service Gateway" that tracks cross-service user activity. The company also partners with Cambridge English (since 2016, the first digital academy authorized to offer Cambridge exams) and Oxford University Press to add academic credibility and credentialing.

ABA English makes money primarily through recurring Premium subscriptions (monthly, 6-month, annual, and 2-year plans) with a one-time Lifetime option, layered on a free tier that exposes the first unit of each level and grammar video classes. A separate Corporate Training division offers B2B English programs sold directly to enterprises. The company has cumulatively raised approximately $15.4M (Nauta Capital in 2014, Kennet Partners-led round in 2016) and operates with 70+ professionals of 20+ nationalities, with 30M+ registered users globally.

Name

ABA English

Legal name

ENGLISH WORLDWIDE, S.L.

Website

https://abaenglish.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ABA English is a Barcelona-based digital English language learning academy serving 30M+ individual learners and corporate clients across 100+ countries through a video-based, film-immersion course with AI-assisted personalization, live conversation classes, and Cambridge English certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online English Language Learning

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Learning & Course Subscriptions (CRAFAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Course Bundle Subscriptions & Learning Membership Marketplaces (EDAFAIAI), Adult & Workplace English (ESP) Materials (EDAGAHAH)

Keywords

• Online English learning
• Language learning platform
• English language courses
• EdTech subscriptions
• Digital language education

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Premium Subscription: Monthly, 6-month, annual, or 2-year subscription plans providing unlimited access to 144 course units across all levels, native teacher support, unlimited conversation classes, and mobile app access. Renewable for equal periods.
2. Lifetime Subscription: One-time payment for lifetime access to ABA English services available at time of purchase. Non-transferable and subject to service availability.
3. Free Tier: Free account providing access to first unit of each level and all grammar video classes, with option to upgrade to Premium.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ABA English sells a subscription-based digital English language learning platform delivered via web and mobile apps (iOS, Android, Huawei). The product centers on a 144-unit video course covering six CEFR levels (A1 to C1) taught through short films, unlimited live conversation classes with native teachers, assigned teacher support, and shareable certificates. Revenue is generated primarily through monthly, 6-month, annual, 2-year, and Lifetime Premium subscriptions, with a free freemium tier and a separately contracted Corporate Training offering for businesses.

Product overview

ABA English is a digital English language learning platform offering a unified product ecosystem centered on its movie-based Natural Method. The core offering consists of the ABA English Course (144 video-based units across 6 CEFR levels) accessible via web and mobile apps (iOS/Android). The platform includes Free and Premium account tiers, with Premium offering unlimited conversation classes, native teacher support, and mobile access. Supporting products include the ABA Masterclass (free grammar video series), English Level Test, and Corporate Training for businesses. Key features like Listen-Record-Compare (speech practice) and Interactive Grammar complement the video course content. All offerings integrate speech recognition technology for pronunciation training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ABA English Course Video-based online English course with 144 units covering 6 levels (A1 to C1 based on CEFR). Includes film-based lessons, exercises, theory, group unit review classes with teachers, and certificates upon level completion. Sold via subscription to individual learners.
• ABA English Mobile App
• ABA English Corporate Training Business English training solutions for organizations and teams, delivered as a separate contracted service from the consumer self-serve product for companies seeking workforce language training.
• Intensive English Course Accelerated English learning program for students seeking faster progress in English proficiency, available as a distinct course option alongside the standard ABA English course.
• ABA English Masterclass Series of free video lessons covering English grammar topics including verb tenses, imperative, possessives, and other grammar concepts. Accessible as standalone educational content.

Quantifiable outcome

• Results visible in just a few months of consistent learning

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cambridge EnglishcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership established in 2016 making ABA English the first digital academy authorized to offer Cambridge English exams and certificates. This allows students to prepare for and take official Cambridge English certifications through the platform.
• Oxford University PresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration agreement with Oxford University Press for content and educational materials, enhancing the academic credibility and quality of course content.
• BigMarkercoreTechnology or IntegrationUS-based online meeting platform used to host ABA Live Classes. Data processing agreement in place including EU standard contractual clauses for safe data transfer. Configured to process only necessary personal data with attention tracking and analytics deactivated.
• Sonrisas de BombayminorOthersSocial responsibility partnership with Mumbai Smiles (Sonrisas de Bombay), an NGO working to improve living conditions in Mumbai's slums.
• Fundación Salvador GavinaminorOthersSocial responsibility partnership with Fundación Salvador Gavina supporting their educational initiatives.
• Fundació Banc dels AlimentsminorOthersSocial responsibility partnership with Fundació Banc dels Aliments (Food Bank), supporting food security initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FluentU: Subscription language-learning service built around real-world video content (movies, news, music), closely paralleling ABA's film-based Natural Method positioning.
• Duolingo: Public, gamified freemium language-learning app with hundreds of millions of users globally. Most direct competitor in consumer English learning through a mobile-first, free-tier-led subscription model.
• Babbel: Subscription-based language learning app focused on conversational fluency, with similar CEFR-aligned curriculum and a comparable premium price point to ABA English.
• Busuu: Subscription language-learning platform owned by McGraw-Hill offering CEFR-aligned courses with AI study plans and live tutor features, directly overlapping ABA's product surface.
• Memrise: Consumer language-learning app combining video clips of native speakers, spaced repetition, and AI tutoring — overlapping with ABA's film-immersion and speech-recognition features.
• Lingoda: Online language school offering live group and 1-on-1 classes with certified teachers, including CEFR-aligned curricula; competes with ABA's corporate and consumer live-class offerings.

Broad incumbents

• EF Education First: Global education company with Efekta digital English platform, language travel schools, and corporate training, competing with ABA across both consumer and corporate English-learning segments.
• Rosetta Stone: Long-established, broad language-learning incumbent offering immersive English courses for consumer and enterprise, with deeper institutional and B2B presence than ABA.

Emerging players

• italki: Online marketplace for 1-on-1 language lessons with native tutors; overlaps with ABA's live conversation class offering and is a partial substitute for the unlimited-classes premium feature.

Regional players

• Open English: Subscription-based online English school focused on Latin America; competes with ABA in Spanish-speaking LATAM markets with live teacher-led group classes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCm0fMw0hqpwV4xLF7MQKq2A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aba-english
• Instagraminstagram.com/abaenglish
• Facebookfacebook.com/abaenglish
• Xx.com/ABAEnglish
• TikToktiktok.com/@abaenglish

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ABA English