Longman Schools, a language training institution owned by Pearson was closed recently. Pearson acquired the Longman Schools in 2008 in order to tap into the English learning and teaching market in Beijing and Shanghai. Two years later, it closed three centres for adult learners with the strategic focus on young learners. The official closure of the Longman Schools means that Pearson was also unsuccessful in the young learners’ market.

This indicates that the English training market for young learners is changing and market competition is becoming very rigid. The reasons could be shrinking market demand for exam oriented English training because of the reduced weight of English scores in school and Gaokao exams and less demand from young learners influenced by the policy that Year 1 and 2 students in Beijing are not required to study English.