Pilgrims Teacher Training

What Pilgrims Teacher Training does

Pilgrims Teacher Training is a private humanistic education organization founded in 1974 by Mario Rinvolucri and James Dixey, specializing in English language teacher professional development. It operates as a brand under OISE Études Linguistiques (registered in France, siret 339 738 270) and is positioned within the Instill Education Group, with corporate functions in Paris and Oxford and a primary training centre in Segovia, Spain. The core product is a one-week intensive in-person teacher training course at the OISE Segovia facility (970€ per week, 22.5 hours of instruction, optional residential accommodation at 460€/week), with class sizes capped at around 20. The company serves qualified and trainee English language teachers globally, delivering programmes at the Segovia site, on-site in client countries via the "Organise Pilgrims Training in Your Country" channel, and through online courses and conferences. Particular attention is given to a "humanistic approach" methodology codified in 50+ published teacher resource books, the free HLT Magazine, and the subscription-based Teacher Trainer Journal (over 20 years of archives).

The business model is multi-stream and predominantly transactional. Beyond teacher training, Pilgrims operates two adjacent divisions: Pil

Name

Pilgrims Teacher Training

Legal name

OISE Études Linguistiques

Website

https://pilgrims.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Pilgrims Teacher Training is a private education organization founded in 1974 that delivers in-person and online professional development courses for English language teachers, plus children's summer camps and business coaching, using a humanistic methodology grounded in 50+ years of published teacher training content.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Language Teacher Training

NAICS

Language Schools (611630), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Sector-Specific Internship Programs (e.g., STEM, Business, Health, Arts) (EDAIAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Overseas Summer School Programs (Secondary) (EDAIAHAC), Language Immersion Programs & Camps (Local/Seasonal) (EDAMAFAL)

Keywords

• Teacher training courses
• English language teaching
• Professional development training
• Language teacher training
• English language courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Teacher Training Course Tuition: One-week intensive teacher training courses in Segovia, Spain at 970€ per course with 22.5 hours weekly instruction
2. Accommodation Services: Optional residential accommodation at 460€ per week including private bathroom and full board
3. Business Professionals Programme: 5-day transformational programme for business professionals at 2,140 GBP with optional accommodation
4. Bespoke Group Programmes: Tailored training programmes for schools and institutions delivered year-round at Segovia training centre
5. Young Learners Summer Courses: Residential summer English courses for children and teenagers aged 8-17 at UK schools (Bradfield College, Harrow School)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pilgrims Teacher Training delivers intensive, in-person English language teacher training courses at its Segovia training centre in Spain, anchored in the humanistic approach to language teaching developed by co-founder Mario Rinvolucri. Courses run for one week at 970€ with 22.5 hours of instruction, complemented by optional residential accommodation at 460€ per week and bespoke group or in-country programmes. The organisation also operates the Confident Communicator programme for business professionals and Pilgrims Young Learners summer English courses at UK boarding schools, alongside online conferences and self-published teacher resources.

Product overview

Pilgrims Teacher Training is a humanistic education organization founded in 1974, offering teacher training courses as its core product alongside a portfolio of related educational services. The main offering consists of in-person Teacher Training Courses delivered at the Segovia training centre in Spain and online platforms, complemented by Online Conferences, Bespoke Programmes for Groups, and on-site training delivered through the 'Organise Pilgrims Training in Your Country' programme. The company also publishes two major educational resources—the free Humanising Language Teaching Magazine and the subscription-based Teacher Trainer Journal—representing over 50 published teacher resource books. Pilgrims operates two sub-brands: The Confident Communicator Programme for business professionals and Pilgrims Young Learners for children aged 8-17, the latter operated by Instill Education Limited. All offerings are unified by 'The Pilgrims Way' philosophy emphasizing humanistic, learner-centered approaches to language education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Humanising Language Teaching: Free web magazine for teachers featuring articles, ideas and lesson outlines from contributors worldwide
• The Teacher Trainer Journal

Products and services

• Teacher Training Courses (Segovia) One-week intensive in-person professional development courses for English language teachers, delivered at the Pilgrims Segovia training centre in Spain, with 22.5 hours of weekly instruction and a humanistic, learner-centred methodology. Priced at 970€ per course with optional residential accommodation at 460€ per week.
• The Confident Communicator Programme (Business Professionals) 5-day intensive English communication and confidence-building programme for business professionals aged 18+, delivered in small groups of 8 participants with 3 trainers, offering 50 hours of training per week including coaching, evening, and meal-time sessions.
• Pilgrims Young Learners Summer Courses Residential summer English immersion courses for children and teenagers aged 8-17, delivered at UK boarding schools (Bradfield College, Harrow School) with 1:3 to 1:4 teacher-to-student ratios and over 50 years of operational experience. Operated by Instill Education Limited.
• Bespoke Programmes for Groups Customised teacher training programmes available year-round at the Segovia training centre, allowing schools and institutions to tailor content, timing, and cohort composition to their specific professional development needs.
• Organise Pilgrims Training in Your Country Bespoke on-site teacher training programmes where Pilgrims trainers travel to the client's country to deliver tailored professional development for groups of up to 30 teachers at the client's location.
• Online Conference for Teacher Training Virtual conference offering for teacher training and professional development, allowing remote attendance at Pilgrims methodology sessions.
• Humanising Language Teaching Magazine Free online magazine for English language teachers featuring articles, ideas, and lesson outlines from contributors worldwide, edited by Hania Kryszewska. Part of Pilgrims' 50+ teacher resource publications.
• The Teacher Trainer Journal Subscription-based periodical for teacher educators and mentors, edited by Phil Dexter, with 20+ years of archived content available at pilgrimsttj.com.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2/3 of students return to Pilgrims year after year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Erasmus+coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEU funding programme for teacher professional development. Pilgrims courses are listed in the Erasmus+ School Education Gateway Catalogue. Teachers apply through their schools/institutions with OID No. E10367663. This enables EU-based teachers to access funded professional development training at Pilgrims centres.
• University of Oxford (OTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHanna Kryszewska serves as an OTA trainer for University of Oxford, demonstrating high-level academic recognition and credibility in teacher training methodology.
• University of WroclawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagda Zamorska works as a senior lecturer at the University of Wroclaw, representing academic partnership for professional development.
• University of Udine, ItalyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStefania Ballotto lectures at University of Udine and serves as M.A thesis supervisor, linking Pilgrims to Italian academia.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhil Dexter has worked with Cambridge University Press supporting ways of adapting coursebooks to be more inclusive. Also Phil Dexter worked for the British Council for over 30 years.
• ESSARP (Argentina)Strategic or Co-development PartnerMercedes Pérez Berbain is a faculty member at both Pilgrims Teacher Training (UK) and ESSARP (Argentina), enabling Latin American market presence.
• Bradfield CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school hosting Young Learners summer courses in Berkshire countryside. Courses run 29 June to 28 July 2026.
• Harrow SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school hosting Young Learners summer courses in London. Courses run 4 July to 14 August 2026.
• StripecoreTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing partner for online course bookings. All financial transactions handled by Stripe with Pilgrims not storing card details on servers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Berlitz: Berlitz is a global language education incumbent with intensive adult, business, and kids' programmes. Comparable to Pilgrims' Business Professionals and Young Learners segments at the premium end, but with much broader geographic footprint and franchised model.
• Kaplan International Languages: Kaplan is a major global English-language education provider with adult courses, teacher training, and Young Learners programmes. Comparable on multi-segment offering and international scale, though it operates at far higher volume and broader portfolio.
• Cambridge Assessment English: Cambridge Assessment English is the global body that sets English proficiency standards and accredits teacher training qualifications. Adjacent to Pilgrims as the certifying authority for many of the teachers it trains, and a content partner through Cambridge University Press collaborations.
• British Council (English Teaching): The British Council is the UK's primary cultural and educational body, offering CELTA/DELTA certifications and teacher development programmes globally. Overlaps with Pilgrims' teacher training mission but at vastly larger scale and broader scope, including Phil Dexter's former 30+ year career there.

Direct peers

• British Study Centres: British Study Centres is a UK language school group offering teacher training and English courses. Overlaps with Pilgrims on the teacher training segment, and shares trainer talent (Judit Fehér is a former BSC trainer who now works for Pilgrims).
• International House (IH World): International House is a global network of language schools and teacher training centres offering CELTA/DELTA and methodology courses. Directly comparable to Pilgrims in target market (English language teachers), methodology-led training, and residential delivery model.
• Bell English: Bell is a UK-based English language and teacher training provider with intensive methodology courses and summer programmes for young learners. Closely matches Pilgrims on segment mix (teacher training + young learners), UK heritage, and residential delivery.
• London School of English: The London School of English is a UK-based premium English language and business communication provider. Closely comparable to Pilgrims on the Business Professionals / 'Confident Communicator' segment, premium pricing, and intensive format.
• Oxford TEFL (Oxford House Barcelona): Oxford TEFL is a Barcelona-based teacher training and language school offering CELTA and methodology courses for international teachers. Comparable to Pilgrims in Spain-based delivery, teacher training focus, and international student base.
• Europass Teachers Academy: Europass Teachers Academy is an Italy-based provider of methodology and language teacher training courses for European educators. Directly comparable: same customer (language teachers), similar residential Europe-based format, and overlapping faculty network (one Pilgrims trainer previously worked there).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PilgrimsEnglish
• YouTubeyoutube.com/PilgrimsWOW
• Facebookfacebook.com/PilgrimsYoungLearners
• Instagraminstagram.com/pilgrimswow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pilgrims

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Pilgrims Teacher Training