[Largest in Japan] Kyoto Prefecture to Simultaneously Introduce AI English Conversation 'ELSA' to 10,000 Prefectural High School Students
Kyoto Prefecture will simultaneously introduce the AI English conversation service 'ELSA' to approximately 10,000 students across all prefectural high schools, aiming to foster global talent through the collaboration of AI and humans.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 18:00
ELSA Japan LLC (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative: Dai Imao) announces that it will introduce "ELSA School" to approximately 10,000 students across all 46 prefectural high schools in Kyoto Prefecture, starting in May 2026, based on Kyoto Prefecture's "Project to Nurture High School Students for the Future."
This initiative marks the largest-scale simultaneous introduction of a private company's AI English instruction service across an entire prefecture's public high schools in Japan*1.
■ Background of Introduction: Aiming to be No. 1 in English Education in the International City of Kyoto
For high school students in Kyoto, a world-renowned tourist city visited by many foreigners and home to companies that disseminate Japanese culture and technology globally, English is an essential skill directly linked to daily life in the region and future careers after graduation*2.
Against this backdrop, Kyoto Prefecture has long focused on enhancing English education. To further strengthen these efforts and foster practical English proficiency, the prefecture has taken the lead nationwide in promoting the simultaneous introduction of AI English instruction services.
■ Initiatives and Objectives: Establishing a "Kyoto Model" that Connects the World through AI and Human Collaboration
ELSA will provide "ELSA School," an AI English instruction service that analyzes each student's pronunciation at the phoneme level and provides immediate feedback to foster practical English proficiency, to Kyoto Prefectural High Schools.
In collaboration with its sales partner, Sundai Group, ELSA will also launch a comprehensive English proficiency development program, including teacher training and opportunities for international exchange with overseas schools.
【Overview of Initiatives】
・Provision of AI English Speaking and AI English Conversation Functions to First-Year Kyoto Prefectural High School Students
Based on ELSA's unique technology for analyzing pronunciation at the phoneme level, the service will offer unlimited AI English conversation role-play functions, speech practice functions with score predictions based on international benchmarks such as CEFR, IELTS, and TOEFL, among others.
・Implementation of Training Programs for Teachers
Leveraging Sundai Group's extensive instructional expertise, training will be provided to English teachers at each school on effective utilization of ELSA School. Support will be offered to enhance teaching effectiveness using a dashboard that allows for centralized management of creating and distributing school-specific assignments and monitoring student learning progress.
・Realization of International Exchange and Collaborative Learning with Schools in Other Countries
Utilizing ELSA's user base of over 90 million users in more than 190 countries, opportunities for exchange and collaborative learning with overseas educational institutions will be created. This will provide a platform for learning living English that connects students with the world within the classroom, in line with Kyoto Prefecture's goal of fostering global talent.
Furthermore, by leveraging the practices of ELSA School-implementing schools within the prefecture, including Kyotango City*3, the aim is to establish a "Kyoto Model" for global talent development that spans elementary, junior high, and high school levels.
■ Comments from Stakeholders
Associate Professor Toshiyuki Kanamaru, Institute for Liberal Arts and Sciences, Kyoto University (Chairperson of the MEXT "Project to Strengthen English Education through AI Utilization")
Creating an environment where students can practice speaking English without fear of making mistakes, utilizing AI, has significant educational value. This is to reduce the psychological burden of using English and encourage participation in speaking. To enhance its effectiveness, in addition to AI-driven personalization, it is crucial for teachers to guide students to connect AI practice and feedback to their individualized learning. The adoption of ELSA is a challenging initiative to realize such learning within public education, and we expect it to become a new model for speaking instruction originating from Kyoto.
Mr. Katsuaki Konno, Director of Education DX Promotion Division, Education Department, Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education, and Director of Kyoto Prefectural Digital Learning Support Center
Kyoto is a city of history and tradition, but also a city of innovation where diverse people from all over the world gather and continuously produce companies that are active globally. For high school students who will lead the future of Kyoto, practical English proficiency is an essential skill to expand their own possibilities. By utilizing AI English instruction services that can dramatically improve the quality and quantity of training necessary for English proficiency development, we aim to foster global talent who can thrive worldwide, right from Kyoto's prefectural high schools.
Dai Imao, Country Manager, ELSA Japan LLC
I am deeply honored to be able to support the challenges of the next generation of young people in Kyoto Prefecture, an international city representing Japan. In this initiative, we will not only provide AI tools but also maximize the educational insights of the Sundai Group, our global network, and the practical knowledge cultivated in Kyotango City, where ELSA has been introduced in elementary and junior high schools since 2022. Together with the teachers of Kyoto Prefecture, we will create a new English education model.
■ Company Profile
Company Name: ELSA Japan LLC
Representative: Dai Imao
Head Office: Links Square Shinjuku 16F, 5-27-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Business Activities: Development and provision of AI English conversation learning apps and English proficiency improvement support services
Website: https://elsaspeak.com/ja/english-for-schools/homepage
*1 As of April 2026, this is the largest-scale simultaneous introduction of a private AI English instruction service targeting public high schools at the prefectural level (ELSA's own research)
*2 Source: Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2025 / Kyoto Tourism Comprehensive Survey 2024/ NLI Research Institute
*3 Prior initiative with Kyotango City: New Model for Japanese Elementary School Students to Gain English Confidence through "International Exchange + AI Learning + International Exchange" Starts in Kyotango City
FAQ
When will ELSA School be introduced to Kyoto Prefectural High Schools?
It will be introduced from May 2026, targeting approximately 10,000 students across all 46 Kyoto Prefectural High Schools.
Why is the introduction of ELSA School considered the largest in Japan?
As of April 2026, it is the largest-scale simultaneous introduction of a private AI English instruction service for public high schools at the prefectural level in Japan.
What features does ELSA School offer?
It provides AI-based phoneme-level pronunciation analysis, unlimited AI English conversation role-play, and speech practice functions with score predictions based on international benchmarks.