51Talk

Product brand

51Talk is a global online English education brand founded in mainland China in 2011, offering 1-on-1 online lessons with foreign teachers.

Last updated October 9, 2026

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Overview

51Talk is a Chinese online English education brand operated by China Online Education Group. Founded in mainland China in 2011, the company built its business around one-on-one online English lessons delivered by certified foreign teachers, with a strong focus on spoken English and young learners. According to its official materials, 51Talk describes itself as "A Global Leader in English Education," citing more than 15 years of experience, learners in over 50 countries, more than 10,000 certified foreign teachers, and over 100 million classes delivered worldwide. The brand's core offering is real-time, conversation-based 1-on-1 instruction with native-level teachers. Its curriculum is built on the CEFR framework and aligned with Cambridge YLE and Cambridge English Qualifications, following a Learn-Practice-Test-Support system designed to drive measurable progress. 51Talk organizes its courses into levels spanning pre-level beginners through intermediate and advanced stages, and maps them to age bands (roughly ages 3–5, 6–8, 9–11, and 12–14) as well as external benchmarks such as CEFR, CCSS, and Cambridge English Qualifications. 51Talk reached a significant milestone on June 10, 2016, when it listed on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming the first online English education company in the industry to go public in the United States. In 2019, the 51Talk app surpassed 100,000 downloads within 24 hours, and the brand became a leading online education brand in mainland China. In 2021, the company began a global expansion push, extending its services beyond China to international markets. Today, 51Talk positions itself as a global English education provider, emphasizing confidence-building, motivating mentors, and empowering young voices — including giving students opportunities to take the stage at the United Nations. The brand continues to operate as a publicly listed company under China Online Education Group.

History

51Talk was founded in mainland China in 2011, committed to creating the best possible English learning experience for children. On June 10, 2016, 51Talk was listed on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming the first online English education company in the industry to go public in the United States. In 2019, the 51Talk app surpassed 100,000 downloads within 24 hours, and the brand became a leading online education brand in mainland China. In 2021, 51Talk started global expansion.

2025
Brand timeline references 2025 as part of its ongoing legacy and global growth.
2021
Started global expansion, building on its high-quality curriculum and teaching resources.
2019
The 51Talk app surpassed 100,000 downloads within 24 hours, becoming a leading online education brand in mainland China.
2016
Listed on the New York Stock Exchange on June 10, becoming the first online English education company in the industry to go public in the United States.
2011
Founded in mainland China, committed to creating the best possible English learning experience for children.

Products and positioning

A Global Leader in English Education

1-on-1 Online Lessons with Foreign Teachers
CEFR-based curriculum aligned with Cambridge YLE and Cambridge English Qualifications

Controversies

2021
Fined 500,000 yuan by Beijing market regulators for false advertising
In August 2021, Beijing enforcement authorities determined that 51Talk had published false advertising and fined the company 500,000 yuan. The penalty amount was stated separately from those imposed on other tutoring institutions in the same notice.
Source
2021
Named for training on holidays, running past the evening cutoff, and illegal foreign-teacher courses
In 2021, Beijing education authorities inspected 51Talk over issues including training on statutory holidays and rest days, classes ending later than 21:00, and the illegal sale of courses taught by foreign teachers based abroad; the company responded that it would carry out rectification.
Source
2021
Beijing authorities penalize three private tutoring providers
Beijing market-regulation authorities reported penalizing Xueda, ABC Foreign Language Training School and 51Talk among several private tutoring providers for conduct including illegal advertising, operating without a license, pricing violations and unfair competition; the text does not specify which listed conduct applied to each provider.
Source
2021
51Talk fined for illegal advertising
The Shijingshan District Market Supervision Bureau fined Beijing Dasheng Zhixing Technology Co., Ltd. 500,000 yuan for illegal advertising. The report says advertisements on its website from January through April used claims about improving grades and English ability that violated advertising law.
Source
2019
Ordered to pay 240,000 yuan for selling New Oriental Online's infringing course for 1 yuan
In 2019, the Haidian Court found that 51Talk had infringed copyright by selling New Oriental Online's course via a cloud-drive link for 1 yuan without authorization, and ordered it to pay 240,000 yuan. The entry is a civil copyright case.
Source

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