Chinese online English learning platform for children DaDaABC has formed a strategic partnership with global education group and publisher Pearson as part of efforts to build “an international school without walls”. DaDaABC has also obtained exclusive rights to teach the Reach online course in China, which is currently being used in over 1,000 schools in the U.S.A. The move sees DaDaABC become an expert-level partner of the authoriser National Geographic Learning, a unit of U.S. education and technology company Cengage.

Under the strategic partnership – the first between Pearson and a Chinese online education platform – the two parties will begin comprehensive global cooperation in areas such as developing educational content, building an evaluation system for instructors and students, and certifying language proficiency levels.

“The partnership marries Pearson’s rich experience in providing high-quality content, with DaDaABC’s mastery of online education technology and its insight in Chinese consumer needs,” said Steven McGill, Pearson’s managing director of Greater China Learning Services.

The deal also marks the strengthening of ties between the two companies. In March 2017, DaDaABC became not only the first but also the only authorised online testing center in China to offer the Pearson Test of English (PTE). The company also obtained Pearson’s authorisation for its Primary Longman Express (PLE) online course series.

“We have always been dedicated to making first-class teaching materials, and offering them to first-rate education institutions. There is no doubt DaDaABC is one of those,” said Roy Lee, Cengage Asia’s managing director. Lee went on to add that the deal carries “strategic” importance.

“DaDaABC’s alliance with two global education giants on the same day underscores its growing strength in the EdTech industry, as well as its edge in securing international education resources,” said Mark Zhu, the TMT analyst from J&M Media.

“The joint push will capitalise on Pearson’s global resources and DaDaABC’s local understanding, with a focus on expanding presence in China’s second- and third-tier cities,” said Hui Zhi, founder and CEO of DaDaABC. “In future cooperation, DaDaABC and Pearson will work together to build a closed loop of on-line education, not just a place to practice oral English, in a bid to prepare children in China for an even more globalised future.”