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Zenken Announces Partnership with Efekta Education

On July 3, 2026, Zenken Corporation, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, entered into a partnership agreement with Efekta Education Ltd., an affiliate of the worldwide private education giant, EF (Education First) Group. This collaboration aims to enhance English language learning through AI technology in Japan's public education system.

Efekta Education's platform has garnered immense popularity, engaging over 24 million learners across 179 countries and implementing solutions in more than 3,000 corporations and government entities worldwide. Their latest platform, equipped with AI features, currently supports over 4.5 million active learners and 250,000 instructors.

As part of the agreement, Zenken will focus on adapting the AI English learning tool, 'Efekta,' to meet the curriculum standards of Japanese public education. This initiative will kick off with a comprehensive pilot program commencing on August 13, targeting public, private, and charter middle and high schools for a trial phase, allowing students to utilize the platform in both classroom and home learning environments.

Free Pilot Program Details

The free monitoring program allows up to 1,000 students per school to access 'Efekta' for 60 days at no cost. During this period, students can engage with an AI teaching assistant for conversation practice, receive feedback on their English writing, and develop their speaking, listening, and writing skills. Teachers will benefit from analytics that provide insights into individual student progress. Zenken’s language training division, Linguage, will provide native Japanese support throughout the implementation and review the program's efficacy upon completion.

In June 2026, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology advised that the upcoming foreign language curriculum guidelines would explicitly state the appropriate utilization of AI technology to enhance students' speaking and writing capabilities. However, the past reliance on each school's discretion to implement such technology has created disparities in learning quality across different regions and institutions. This initiative aims to provide a risk-free opportunity for schools and educational boards to trial AI-enhanced English learning tools.

Enrollment Process for the Free Pilot Program

Prior to a broad rollout across Japan, Zenken seeks pioneering schools engaged in advanced English and ICT education to participate as model pilot schools.

Eligibility

• - Schools: Middle and high schools across Japan (both public and private)
• - Cost: Completely free (provided by Efekta and Zenken)
• - Duration: 60 days from account activation
• - Features: Students benefit from AI speaking practice and assessment tools, while teachers receive analytics and support tools—all at no charge.
• - Support: Linguage will provide assistance in Japanese from application to implementation of the trial.
• - Registration Period: Enrollment begins on August 13 and will continue on a rolling basis (by recruitment in phases)

- Phase 1: October to November
- Phase 2: December to January
- Phase 3: February to March

• - Limit: Each phase allows a maximum of five schools (up to 1,000 students per school)

Application Steps

1. Application: Interested schools submit necessary details through an online registration form.
2. Confirmation: Verification of school and student data, alongside privacy protection procedures.
3. Account Activation: Accounts for Efekta will be enabled, facilitating onboarding support.
4. 60-Day Trial: Schools will use the platform in both classroom and home settings, with Linguage providing support.
5. Review: After the trial, data on learning progress and feedback from participants will be analyzed.

This program emphasizes data protection protocols to ensure student information is not repurposed and maintains compliance with local security policies.

About Efekta

Efekta Education emerged as an AI software company from the EF Group, one of the world's largest private education organizations established in 1965. Efekta has received numerous accolades, including recognition in TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential Companies of 2026. Their innovative platform supports millions of learners globally and serves educational institutions and government entities with high-quality, personalized learning experiences.

Efekta's technology ensures educational safety and reliability, achieving ISO security and quality management certifications while safeguarding minors' personal data rigorously. This pilot program is envisioned as a stepping stone toward full implementation into the Japanese education system, aligning with Zenken's mission to foster global competencies among students in Japan.

Through this partnership, both organizations aim to deliver a transformational learning experience that positions Japanese students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

Looking Ahead

Following the pilot program’s evaluations, the two companies will work toward formalizing a distribution agreement for the Japanese market, setting a roadmap for integrating innovative educational tech into Japan's landscape. This collaboration not only aligns with EF’s mission of broadening access to quality education worldwide but also complements Zenken's aspirations to create future pathways for learners.