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AEON Launches Innovative AI English Learning Service for Junior High Students

AEON Co., Ltd., a prominent English conversation school based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, is set to embark on a pilot program for its latest AI-driven English conversation learning service named "Lala Language". Slated to commence in mid-September 2025 in collaboration with several private junior high schools, this service intends to empower students with essential speaking skills, a recognized challenge in junior high English education.

Addressing the Speaking Skill Gap

The primary challenge that this new service aims to tackle is the limited speaking opportunities for students, particularly those who seldom interact with Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) or foreigners. The program is designed to provide ample speaking time, aiming to enhance students' practical conversation abilities. The content aligns with the Tokyo Shoseki-approved textbook, "NEW HORIZON", ensuring that students can effectively leverage the knowledge they gain in class, ultimately improving their ability to speak English.

Incorporating Generative AI, the program allows for conversation practice revolving around topics that spark the interest of middle school students. Scenarios related to homestay conversations are included to help prepare students for future exchanges abroad, promoting a fun and engaging learning environment. Notably, the service operates via web browsers, eliminating the need for app installations, thereby enabling school-issued tablets to be utilized for home learning.

Furthermore, a unique management interface for teachers provides an opportunity to monitor student learning. This allows teachers to assess study time, scores, and other performance metrics, making it easier to evaluate student progress objectively while minimizing the grading workload through AI assessments.

Aiming for Market Launch by Spring 2026

As part of the preparatory phase, AEON will conduct trials in collaboration with select private junior high schools, addressing issues raised to fine-tune the service ahead of its commercial launch in the spring of 2026. The pilot studies will evaluate the usability of learning functions from the students’ perspective and the teacher management features, as well as monitor improvements in students' English communication skills and overall motivation for learning.

AEON remains dedicated to supporting learners of all ages as they pursue their language skills in pursuit of their dreams. By focusing on the educational difficulties highlighted in the Japanese Ministry of Education's investigation into English language education, the program also seeks to improve output practice for teachers, who often struggle to allocate sufficient time for speaking exercises in the classroom. This issue is reflected in the findings that show a decline in the proportion of speaking activities in English classes as students advance from elementary to high school.

Understanding Student Motivation and Challenges in English Learning

AEON is putting emphasis on junior high students' attitudes towards learning English and their motivation toward school. Recognizing the fear of speaking in front of others, the AI conversation feature enables students to practice without the fear of judgment, allowing them to experiment and discover the joy of effective communication in English.

Unique Features of Lala Language

1. AI Conversation Practice with "AI Friends"
- Students can practice conversations freely at their own pace, feeling secure to speak without embarrassment in front of AI, encouraging a more relaxed learning experience.

2. Curriculum Aligned with "NEW HORIZON"
- The learning content progresses alongside the textbook, using the same dialogue, vocabulary, and grammatical points as those taught in class. This ensures that lessons learned can be confidently applied to real conversations.

3. Teacher Management Dashboard
- Teachers can observe each student’s learning time and scores, enabling them to ascertain student engagement objectively and reduce their grading workload significantly.

AEON's Broader Commitment to Education

Beyond its innovative student programs, AEON also offers tailored training programs for businesses and various educational institutions emphasizing English and Chinese language competencies. With over 4,000 companies benefiting from their English training across Japan, AEON’s approach focuses on enhancing communication skills through practical training guided by both foreign and native instructors.

Since its inception in 1973, AEON has been dedicated to enriching lives through language education, striving to break down language barriers and empower individuals globally. Recently joining the KDDI Group, AEON aims to integrate its teaching expertise with cutting-edge communication technologies to foster diverse and effective learning experiences.