
Bell was founded by Frank Bell, a University of Cambridge graduate, with a love of languages and a vision to promote intercultural understanding through language education.
Frank’s inspiration came from his time as a prisoner of war during the Second World War. In the harsh conditions of the camp, he taught his fellow prisoners Spanish and French, a simple act of defiance that quickly led to the creation of a secret university which taught a broad range of subjects.
After the war, Frank Bell returned to England where, reflecting on his experiences, he became convinced that the route to international co-operation and understanding lay in learning. This led him, in 1955, to open his first language school in Cambridge, which still operates today.
Since then, Bell has grown from one prestigious English language school in Cambridge to an internationally recognised, high-quality education business which unlocks the world for its students through learning English and learning in English.
We teach children, young learners, undergraduates and graduates; we train teachers, and work with clients in a range of sectors from oil and gas to banking, finance and manufacturing.