Lingu

What Lingu does

Lingu (Lingu Ltd, formerly Perfectly Spoken Ltd, UK company number 09197891) operates an online English language learning platform serving adult learners across all six CEFR levels from A1 to C2. The company originated as part of the Lingu group, an accredited language school founded in Norway in 2008, with the UK operating entity incorporated in 2014 and rebranded to Lingu Ltd in 2024. Lingu offers three core subscription plans — Easy English (self-paced, from $29/month), English Live (live teacher-led, from $95/month), and English Fast-track (12-week cohort) — supplemented by private 1:1 lesson packages, exam preparation tracks for IELTS, Cambridge, and TOEFL, a 320+ episode podcast library, and a mobile app on iOS and Android.

The underlying platform combines a curated content library of 13,500+ stories, lessons and videos authored by Cambridge-qualified teachers with live virtual classrooms, an LMS for institutional partners, an adaptive CEFR placement test (Lingutest), and an AI Practice Partner providing 24/7 pronunciation feedback, writing correction, and conversation practice. Native mobile apps and enterprise APIs to SIS, CRM, billing, and reporting systems extend the platform into partner deployments for language schools, universities, NGOs, and corporate teams.

Lingu's go-to-market is multi-pronged: a product-led growth motion with a 7-day free trial targeting individual consumers, an enterprise field sales motion for corporate English training (minimum 10 seats, branded platform, admin reporting), a channel partner program for language schools, universities, and NGOs, and community-led growth via Trustpilot reviews (4.5/5 across 3,600+ reviews) and podcast content. Revenue is generated primarily through subscription billing with monthly, 6-month, and annual prepay options offering ~20–30% discounts, supplemented by fixed-fee cohort payments, private lesson packs, and custom enterprise licensing.

Name

Lingu

Legal name

Lingu Ltd (formerly Perfectly Spoken Ltd)

Website

https://lingu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lingu is a UK-incorporated online English language learning platform (formerly Perfectly Spoken) offering self-paced, live teacher-led, and cohort courses across all six CEFR levels to adult learners, enterprises, NGOs, and educational institutions worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online English Language Learning

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Language Schools (61163), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online/Hybrid Adult ESL & Language Learning Platforms (EDAAACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Language Learning Platforms (Self-Paced) (EDAMAFAC), Digital Language Learning Content (Apps, Online Courses, Mobile-first) (EDAGAHAM), Online-to-Offline Hybrid Language Immersion Programs (EDAIAEAK)

Keywords

• Online English learning
• Language learning platform
• Live teacher classes
• CEFR English courses
• Corporate English training

Headquarters

HQ city

Stavanger

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Subscription - Easy English: Self-paced learning subscription with video lessons, AI practice, and limited teacher feedback. Monthly, 6-month, or annual billing with prepayment discounts of approximately 20% (6-month) and 30% (annual).
2. Subscription - English Live: Subscription including live teacher-led classes, speaking practice, unlimited webinars, and enhanced teacher writing feedback. Higher price point than Easy English, same billing cadence.
3. English Fast-track Cohort: Single fixed-price payment for 12-week structured cohort program with dedicated teacher, small group classes, assessments, and full English Live access during cohort period.
4. Private 1:1 Lessons: Add-on packs of 6, 12, 18, or 24 private lessons with assessment session, sold in packages attached to existing subscription plans.
5. Enterprise Licensing: B2B seat-based licensing for organizations with branded platform access, admin dashboards, reporting, and optional live class add-ons. Custom pricing per organization.
6. Freemium Trial: 7-day free trial providing access to self-paced program, placement test, and limited live class access to drive conversion to paid subscriptions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lingu sells online English language learning subscriptions and institutional licenses for adult learners, covering all six CEFR levels (A1–C2). Its core consumer plans are Easy English (self-paced video lessons with AI practice from $29/month), English Live (live teacher-led classes with AI support from $95/month), and English Fast-track (a 12-week instructor-led cohort). Enterprise and institutional offerings include business English training, NGO/charity programs, and seat-based platform licensing for schools and universities.

Product overview

Lingu is an online English language learning platform offering three core subscription plans (Easy English, English Live, English Fast-track) that range from self-paced courses to live teacher-led instruction. The platform covers all six CEFR levels (A1–C2) and integrates AI practice tools alongside human teaching. Enterprise offerings include business English training, NGO partnerships, and institutional licensing for schools and universities. Additional products include private 1:1 lessons, a podcast series, placement testing (Lingutest), an English calculator, and exam preparation for IELTS, Cambridge, and TOEFL.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Easy English Self-paced English subscription with structured A1–C2 video library, AI practice partner, daily practice activities, and one teacher-graded writing per month; starting at $29/month for adult learners.
• English Live Teacher-led English subscription for adults at all CEFR levels (A1–C2) with 12 small-group live sessions per month, unlimited webinars, AI practice between classes, and four teacher-graded writings per month; starting at $95/month.
• English Fast-track 12-week intensive cohort programme with 48 instructor-led sessions, 1:1 level assessments, signed completion certificate, and full English Live access during the cohort period; single fixed-price payment per cohort.
• Private 1:1 Lessons One-to-one lessons with a dedicated specialist teacher, available as an add-on to Easy English, English Live, or English Fast-track; packages of 6, 12, 18, or 24 lessons with IELTS and Cambridge examination specialists.
• Business English for Companies Scalable English training platform for companies with admin reporting, team progress tracking, custom branding, optional live group classes, and placement testing on sign-up; covers CEFR A1–C2 with a minimum of 10 seats per engagement.
• English Training for NGOs Subsidised English language training for registered charities, NGOs, and not-for-profit organisations, including the full A1–C2 platform, live practice, AI partner, and CEFR progression reporting for funder accountability.
• Lingu for Schools (Institutional Licensing) Institutional licensing for language schools, colleges, and universities including LMS, adaptive placement, A1–C1 courses, interactive classrooms, AI practice partner, authoring tools, and APIs for SIS integration.
• English for Universities English training solutions for higher education institutions, including curriculum integration, student licences, and faculty reporting.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.5/5.0 average rating on Trustpilot (3,600+ reviews)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Breaking Barriers (formerly RefuAid)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLondon-based charity partnership providing subsidized English language training to refugees and asylum seekers rebuilding careers in the UK. Lingu provides full platform access with CEFR progression tracking for funder accountability. Breaking Barriers consistently cites language as one of the biggest barriers to integration for day-to-day life and skilled professionals trying to resume careers.
• Mozambique Partner OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidized access to Lingu English platform for local learners in Mozambique helping build English skills for education, employment, and regional connection. Partner organization name and program details pending partner approval.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Babbel: Subscription-based language learning app with live classes (Babbel Live). Comparable to Lingu in self-paced subscription model and adult learner focus, though multi-language versus Lingu's English-only positioning.
• Duolingo: Market-leading freemium language learning app now expanding into AI tutoring (Duolingo Max). Competes with Lingu on price ($7-14/mo vs $29-95/mo) and on adult learner acquisition through gamified self-study.
• EF Education First: Global language school and online English platform offering teacher-led and self-paced English courses. Most directly comparable to Lingu due to overlapping curriculum, live classes, and CEFR-aligned offerings targeting adults and enterprises.
• Preply: Online tutoring marketplace for language lessons with corporate training tier. Comparable to Lingu's 1:1 private lessons and enterprise offerings, particularly for English learners seeking personalized teacher time.
• italki: Marketplace for live online language tutors with self-paced course add-ons. Comparable to Lingu in emphasizing teacher-led conversation practice for adult learners, but operates as a marketplace rather than curated teacher staff.
• Cambly: On-demand English tutoring with native speakers via short video sessions. Direct overlap with Lingu's live practice and AI-augmented English learning model, especially for adult learners practicing conversation.
• Wall Street English: Established global English language school with online and in-person offerings. Closely comparable to Lingu's British English, CEFR-aligned curriculum and adult professional learner focus.
• Voxy: B2B English training platform for enterprises with custom curricula and reporting. Directly comparable to Lingu's enterprise licensing product, especially in Latin American markets where both focus on workforce English.
• Open English: Online English school targeting Latin American adults with live classes and self-paced content. Comparable to Lingu's live teacher-led model and adult learner focus, though with stronger LatAm regional concentration.

Broad incumbents

• British Council: UK-government-affiliated international cultural organization with global English teaching and IELTS co-ownership. Broad incumbent comparable to Lingu's British English positioning and CEFR/IELTS exam prep offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/perfectlyspoken
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lingunorge
• Facebookfacebook.com/lingunorge

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

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 Lingu