[Iwakuni City x DMM.com] English Exchange Center 'PLAT ABC' Holds 4th Anniversary Event!

DMM.com LLC (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Innovation Company CEO: Yu Ogata; hereinafter 'DMM') manages the operations of the 'English Exchange Center PLAT ABC' established in 2022 by Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (Mayor: Yoshihiko Fukuda; hereinafter 'Iwakuni City') as a designated manager within its regional revitalization business. We are pleased to announce that an event commemorating the 4th anniversary of its opening was held on March 21-22. This facility has become an indispensable part of the local community as a place for learning Japanese and English, and for cross-cultural exchange.

About the English Exchange Center 'PLAT ABC' At this facility, we have undertaken various initiatives, including operating a cafe, providing opportunities and an environment for learning Japanese and English, and acting as an information counter for foreign residents in the city. Furthermore, we have held over 430 diverse events since its opening. We plan and manage inventive activities incorporating crafts, exercise, and cultural elements so that even those who feel that 'learning English or Japanese is a bit of a high hurdle' can easily enjoy them.

New Initiatives for FY2025: From AI Utilization to Real Practice at a US Military Base! An Intensive 6-Month 'English Boot Camp' This fiscal year, the facility implemented the 'English Boot Camp,' an intensive training program spanning approximately six months aimed at improving English proficiency. This program offered two courses, 'For Beginners' and 'For Advanced Learners,' providing unique curriculums tailored to the participants' levels.

- For Beginners: Experiencing 'Real Practice' at a US Military Base Food Court In the beginner's course, two instructors—a facility staff member holding a Class 1 English Teaching License (Junior/Senior High School) and a fluent English-speaking staff member—developed a unique curriculum and served as lecturers. With the ultimate goal of 'being able to order what you want to eat in English,' the culmination of the study was a visit to the food court inside the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Participants challenged themselves to order fast food using only English. During the meal, they interacted with volunteer staff on the base, providing a valuable opportunity to experience the joy of cross-cultural communication through practical application.

- For Advanced Learners: Mastering Business English Utilizing the Latest AI Tools In the advanced course, aiming for the acquisition of high-level English skills applicable in business scenes, a university lecturer from Hiroshima City (native speaker) conducted a total of 5 workshops. The greatest feature of this course was 'English Proficiency x AI Utilization Skills.' Moving beyond mere language learning, AI tools were proactively introduced in each workshop and homework assignment. We focused on nurturing the skill essential in modern business scenes: 'achieving results in English while mastering AI tools.'