Educational publisher Pearson has reported a growth in sales driven by strong demand for English language and work skills courses.

The company also revealed that it has seen encouraging engagement with its learning tools that have integrated AI technology, with plans to expand the use of AI features throughout the year. Despite this, shares took a slight dip in early trading, even though the results largely met analyst expectations.

The FTSE 100 firm reassured investors on Friday that it is "on track" to meet its guidance for the year following first-quarter growth. It disclosed that sales increased by 2% over the first three months of the year, or 3% excluding parts of the business currently under review.

Pearson informed shareholders that its assessments and qualifications division saw a 2% increase, although this was affected by its US assessment performance. Meanwhile, its virtual schools division enjoyed a 4% rise due to favourable funding opportunities during the period, but revenues for the firm's higher education arm fell by 4%.

Within higher education, however, Pearson pointed out that digital registrations were up 3% and it is "pleased with the engagement we are seeing from both students and faculty on our AI study tools". English language sales were particularly robust with 22% growth, boosted by inflation in Argentina.

The firm revealed that their workforce skills sector has seen a 9% increase in this quarter - which is aligned with their predictions. Pearson's chief executive, Omar Abbosh, said: "The year has started well. Financial performance was in line with our expectations, thanks to strong execution across the business, and we maintain a sharp focus on delivering against the priorities that I outlined."

"The year is unfolding as we anticipated, and we continue to expect an acceleration of growth in the second half, which will see us achieve our guidance for the full year."

Shore Capital's analyst Roddy Davidson shared, "Forward looking comments indicate that the year is unfolding as anticipated, and that management continues to expect an acceleration of growth during the second half and deliver against full year guidance."

"We are encouraged to note the solid start to full-year 2024 summarised above and, more broadly, continue to believe that a sharper focus on growth (as part of the next stage of the group's digital journey), allied to a positive long-term outlook for global learning spend bodes well."

Pearson's share price was down 1.2% at 980p on Friday morning.