#Japan #Study Valley #Asahi Shimbun #TimeTact #Edo, Tokyo

Introduction to the New Language Skills Program

A new educational initiative is set to enrich students' language learning experiences. The program, "Four Language Skills Practice Course—Harnessing News Articles for Information Literacy and Expression Development," is developed in partnership between Study Valley, a leading EdTech firm, and Asahi Shimbun, a prominent media organization. Designed for schools adopting the TimeTact exploration learning platform, this course will officially launch for the 2026 academic year.

The course leverages TimeTact's artificial intelligence capabilities, such as automatic lesson plan generation, and the journalism expertise of Asahi Shimbun to incorporate high-quality primary information into the learning process. By engaging with current events, students will enhance their information literacy and the four essential language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—that are vital in today's fast-paced society.

The Importance of Questioning in the AI Era

Previously, educational focus was centered on answering questions with fixed answers. However, in exploration learning and social contexts, the ability to pose questions and engage in meaningful dialogue has become increasingly important. Feedback from educators indicates that many students struggle with formulating questions, writing effectively, or navigating interpersonal communication in contemporary society.

This course defines the four language skills as foundational to developing questioning abilities. By combining TimeTact's technology with rich journalistic content, the program aims to lighten the burden on teachers while fostering practical language capabilities in students.

Five Key Features of the Course

The Four Language Skills Practice Course encompasses the following five impactful features:

1. Access to Quality Primary Information: Each student will be provided with a digital ID for the Asahi Shimbun. Daily exposure to verified primary information, rather than a mix of unreliable online data, enhances their comprehension of current issues and boosts reading skills.

2. Development of Critical Thinking: By engaging with diverse articles and different perspectives, students will become aware of worlds that may differ from their own interests and values, laying the groundwork for logical reasoning and forming their own opinions.

3. Cultivating Information Literacy: Through article analysis and summarization, students will acquire the ability to discern truth from misinformation and recognize biases in the overwhelming flow of information.

4. Integrated Enhancement of Language Skills: Workshops on journalistic writing techniques and perspectives will cultivate unique human expression that is less likely to be replicated by AI.

5. Direct Connection to University Entrance Exams: Collaborative learning centered around current news directly supports enhancements in interview skills, essay writing, and presentation abilities, providing students with competitive advantages in comprehensive and recommendation-based university admissions.

Utilizing the Course in Classrooms

With TimeTact's automatic lesson plan generation feature, teachers can seamlessly incorporate the latest headlines from the morning news into their classes. This allows educators to conduct engaging lessons based on timely information without the need for extensive preparation.

Available Plans

To cater to different school needs and budgets, three plans are available:

• - Plum Plan: This basic plan is a simple option ideal for establishing daily learning habits, including a digital subscription to Asahi Shimbun (1 ID per student) and workshops on newspaper utilization.

• - Bamboo Plan: This plan allows the creation of a real newspaper as part of inquiry-based learning. It includes everything in the Plum Plan, plus online workshops and production of a four-page newspaper, offering a tangible product that can also serve as a marketing tool for schools.

• - Pine Plan: A premium customizable plan featuring direct instruction from professional journalists, which can include guest speaking engagements and interview workshops tailored to school needs, offering invaluable career education experiences.

Special Offer for Schools

Teachers leading classes adopting this program will receive complimentary digital IDs for the Asahi Shimbun.

Quotes from Leadership

Yuuki Tanaka, CEO of Study Valley, emphasizes the importance of enhancing the quality of inquiry learning while alleviating teacher burdens through innovative tools. He believes that engaging with high-quality content is critical for students' development, stating, "This collaboration supports the evolution of inquiry-based learning in Japan."

Yoko Odagiri, Editor-in-Chief of Asahi Shimbun's teacher platform, underscores the increasing necessity for students to articulate their thoughts clearly. She highlights how this program, through reading daily news articles, naturally cultivates essential language skills and enhances information literacy.

About TimeTact

TimeTact, developed by Study Valley, is an exploration learning platform utilized by over 500 schools. It has garnered accolades like the Economy Minister's Award at the 12th Career Education Awards and selection for the "Top 100 Amazing Ventures" by Toyo Keizai. The platform supports the entire inquiry process through various resources and feedback mechanisms powered by AI.

About Study Valley

Founded in 2020 with the mission to enable everyone to navigate their future with exploration skills, Study Valley focuses on supporting inquiry learning through its platform, TimeTact.

For further inquiries, please contact:

• - Email: [email protected]
• - Corporate Website: Study Valley