English School "Little." Curriculum Revamped

Gakken Link Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / President and CEO: Atsushi Kawabata), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / President and CEO: Hiroaki Miyahara), will be rebranding its children's English language school brand "Little.". Along with a refreshed logo design, the curriculum will be upgraded to a next-generation model tailored to the AI era and societal changes, with sequential deployment beginning in April 2026.

■ What is "Little."?

"Little." is not just a place to "teach" English. It is a gateway to learning that fosters the ability to think, communicate, and carve out a future through English, looking beyond English conversation, grammar, various English proficiency tests, and even further. It provides learning that allows for gradual growth, starting with enjoyment, moving to understanding, and then to practical application.

■ Background and Purpose of Rebranding

"Little." has previously offered a curriculum for children aged 0 to 12, tailored to age and level, to develop the four skills of "listening, speaking, reading, and writing." However, in an era where technology is advancing and translation tools are widespread, the purpose of English learning has shifted from "mere acquisition of knowledge" to "what can be created using English." The objective of this rebranding is to evolve from a place that "teaches English" to a learning gateway that fosters the ability to "think, communicate, and carve out a future" through English.

■ Three Core Principles of the New "Little."

1. Fun First! (English is fun) What we want to foster first is the feeling of "I love English!".

Through play and communication, we create an environment where children can naturally encounter English, while preserving the thinking skills they have developed freely in Japanese.

2. Phased Design (Small Steps) From "enjoyment" to "structural understanding," and then to "practice and application."

The curriculum is designed through stages of understanding, experimentation, and expression. Accumulating small successes builds confidence and proactiveness in English.

3. Future Standard (Sustainable English Proficiency) Test acquisition and exams are merely milestones.
Even in an era where AI is evolving, we emphasize the ability to hold and convey one's own thoughts and learn collaboratively with others.

■ Three Diversified New Courses

Courses have been redefined to allow families to choose the optimal education according to their values and societal changes.

・English Conversation Course (Target: 0 years old to elementary school students) Emphasizes the experience of "liking" English through play on familiar themes and Total Physical Response (TPR) teaching methods.

・Grammar Enhancement Course (Target: 1st grade elementary to 3rd grade junior high) From "vaguely understanding" to "being able to use with justification." Aims for reproducible understanding that leads to qualification acquisition and junior/senior high school English.

・Global Thinking Skills Course (Target: Preschoolers to elementary school students) With a two-teacher system (Japanese and foreign instructors), this course cultivates the ability to "create value" in English. It is a high-level course with private and overseas advancement in mind.

■ About Gakken Link Co., Ltd.

"Connecting children to a better future with quality content and reliable human resources"

Established in October 2024. Our mission at Gakken Link is to support the future of the next generation of children through education.

Modern society faces significant changes such as declining birthrates, nuclearization of families, and the advancement of digitalization, and children's educational environments are evolving daily. In this situation, we are committed to providing educational services with the vision of "connecting children to a better future with quality content and reliable human resources."

■ About Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd.

A holding company established in 1946, operating education, medical, and welfare-related businesses. In the education sector, it operates classroom/cram school businesses including "Gakken Classrooms," publishing content businesses represented by "Science" and "Learning" educational materials, and school/kindergarten businesses such as textbooks and childcare supplies. In the medical and welfare sector, it develops services for seniors, including assisted living facilities and dementia group homes, as well as childcare support businesses such as nurseries and after-school care. It conducts education, medical, and welfare-related activities in over 150 countries globally. In November 2023, Gakken Holdings set a new aspiration: "To be a company that relentlessly pursues human potential." Aiming to achieve this, it supports the curiosity of all generations, from children to students, working adults, and seniors, and contributes to expanding the potential of individuals and society as a company that encourages everyone's challenges. Sales for the fiscal year ending September 2025 are projected at 199.1 billion yen, with 82 consolidated subsidiaries. Listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Securities Code: 9470).