AEON Corporation's Hao Chinese Academy to Host a 3-Part "Tone Correction Practical Course" by NHK Radio Lecturer Mr. Wu Zhigang

AEON Corporation's Hao Chinese Academy to Host a 3-Part "Tone Correction Practical Course" by NHK Radio Lecturer Mr. Wu Zhigang ### - Break Through the 'Tone Wall' Facing Japanese Learners and Retrain the Core of Intelligible Chinese! -

AEON Corporation (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Taku Shigeno), which operates the Hao Chinese Academy, is pleased to once again welcome Mr. Wu Zhigang, who has been deeply involved in teaching pronunciation to Japanese learners for many years as a lecturer for NHK's radio Chinese courses. A three-part "Tone Correction Practical Course" will be held starting Saturday, May 16, 2026.

In learning Chinese, the biggest bottleneck for many Japanese people is mastering the "tones." Many issues, such as "I can't make myself understood in actual conversation even though I understand the vocabulary and grammar" and "my listening skills are not improving," stem from inaccurate tones.

This course was designed to fundamentally re-examine this "tone wall." Last year, Hao Chinese Academy invited Mr. Wu Zhigang for a special lecture where he provided logical and passionate guidance on the pronunciation method for three or more consecutive third tones. We received a great deal of positive feedback from participants, with comments like, "I learned the depth of the third tone that I couldn't learn in school," and "The 223 pattern rules were clarified, and my own challenges became clear." In response to this need for continued learning, Mr. Wu Zhigang will be taking the stage again for this special three-day course.

Instructor Mr. Wu Zhigang, born in Beijing, is a leading authority on pronunciation instruction, combining the "orthodox resonance" cultivated at the prestigious Communication University of China (formerly Beijing Broadcasting Institute) with his many years of teaching methodology research in Japan.

The opportunity to have one's own voice directly diagnosed and corrected by an instructor who has been in charge of pronunciation and tone guidance for NHK radio courses for many years brings about dramatic changes that are difficult to achieve through self-study. This course will serve as a solid stepping stone for Chinese learners to advance to the next stage—from a level of "just getting by" to achieving "accurate sounds" that native speakers can trust.

Hao Chinese Academy values learning that includes not only language acquisition but also the culture and ways of thinking behind the words. We will continue to support everyone's long and deep journey in Chinese language learning.

**■ Course Overview**

- **Lecture Name:** Mr. Wu Zhigang's Tone Correction Practical Course - **Dates & Times:** - Part 1: May 16, 2026 (Sat) 14:00-15:30 - Part 2: May 23, 2026 (Sat) 14:00-15:30 - Part 3: May 30, 2026 (Sat) 14:00-15:30 - **Venue:** AEON Corporation Headquarters (16F, Nittotchi Nishi-Shinjuku Bldg., 6-10-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) - **Capacity:** 12 people - **Target Audience:** Anyone learning Chinese or interested in the Chinese language and culture, regardless of whether they are currently enrolled at Hao Chinese Academy. - **Participation Fee:** - Current Hao Students: 13,200 JPY (tax incl.) - Non-students: 16,500 JPY (tax incl.) - **Content:** - Part 1: Pronunciation diagnosis and presentation of a correction plan - Part 2: Reinforcement of practice assignments and re-correction - Part 3: Final test and evaluation - **How to Apply:** - **For Current Hao Students:** Please apply directly at the reception of your respective Hao school branch after completing the payment procedure. - **For Non-students:** Please apply through this dedicated application URL. We will contact you with payment instructions. - https://netcampus.hao-net.com/hao/sp/form_260516/ - **Application Deadline:** May 14, 2026 (Thu) 17:00 - *Registration will close once capacity is reached.*

**【Instructor Profile】**

**Wu Zhigang** Graduated from the Announcing Faculty of the Communication University of China. Completed his postgraduate studies at Chiba University, earning a Ph.D. in Literature. Specializes in Chinese phonetics and teaching methodology. He has served as a lecturer for NHK's radio Chinese courses and has earned the deep trust of learners nationwide for his clear instruction tailored to the characteristics of Japanese learners.

**【About Hao Chinese Academy】**

Since its opening in 2004, Hao Chinese Academy has been committed to providing "high-quality Chinese lessons" and "sincere service" in Chinese language learning (Mandarin and Taiwanese Mandarin), contributing to the development of Chinese education in Japan. To meet the needs of a diverse era, we have established various learning styles such as "e-learning," "online lessons," and "in-person lessons." As a specialized Chinese education institution, we offer a rich curriculum including introductory Chinese, business Chinese, Chinese proficiency test preparation, and national exam preparation for certified interpreter guides. We will continue to innovate for the further development of Chinese education in Japan.

- Hao Chinese Academy Official HP: https://www.hao-net.com/

**【About AEON】**

Since its founding in 1973, AEON has operated under the philosophy of enriching customers' lives through language education and "supporting everyone to play an active role globally by removing the language barrier with the world."

With learning methods cultivated over more than 50 years, we provide English and Chinese lessons for adults and children. Through a dual approach of "knowledge acquisition" and "practical training," we help learners overcome their weaknesses, enhance their communication skills, and acquire conversational abilities for daily life and business, while also supporting them in obtaining certifications.

Since becoming part of the KDDI Group in 2018, we have been promoting EdTech that combines AEON's know-how with the KDDI Group's information and communication technology. By combining various methods such as in-person classes, online lessons, and AI-powered conversation apps, we provide learning methods that are most effective for improvement, tailored to each student's level and learning style.