HelloWorld Co., Ltd.
HelloWorld collaborates with JR East Group to launch “International Train,” an educational train for elementary and junior high school students, on February 17th
Co-creation of international exchange business using railways, on sale from December 21st (Thursday)
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HelloWorld Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture, Co-CEOs: Hikaru Nonaka and Keisuke Tomita) are members of the JR East Startup Program, which is run by JR East Startup Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Yu Shibata, location: Minato-ku, Tokyo), which promotes investment and collaboration in startup companies. As a selected company for “Spring 2023”, we will operate the
“International Train,” an all-English train where you can enjoy and learn about diversity, in collaboration with East Japan Railway Company (hereinafter referred to as JR East) Metropolitan Area Headquarters, and JR East View Tourism & Co., Ltd. It will be released at sales.
The train will be accompanied by 30 English speakers (foreigners residing in Japan) who are registered with HelloWorld, and will provide an opportunity for international exchange in which they can speak English naturally through conversations and games.
This initiative is positioned as the first demonstration experiment in business co-creation between the JR East Group and HelloWorld, and we will continue to aim for a better future for children’s growth and child-rearing.
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*English speakers, HelloWorld staff, JR East Ueno Transportation District employees, etc. will be on board to provide support. *Contents may change depending on train operating conditions. The charm of “International Train”
・30 English speakers living in Japan from 5 continents: America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania will ride together! Participants form teams of 4 to 7 people.
・Compete for points by completing missions such as quizzes about the world and creating commercial videos while communicating in English with everyone on the team.
・Since we have a common goal of completing the mission, English conversation will naturally flow, so it’s okay even if you are not good at English!
・In 4 hours, you will not only improve your English skills, but also acquire multicultural understanding and a global mindset.
– International Train original goods are also available.
Building a worldview
Not only will English be the official language on the train, but each English speaker will also welcome participants with costumes and accessories related to their home country. In addition, in-train announcements in English will provide the experience of “When I got on the train, I was overseas!?” By taking advantage of the special closed space of a train, this event combines English study and excitement.
HelloWorld’s global education initiatives
The company runs a mission-accepting program called “Machinaka Rogaining,” where English speakers and elementary, junior high, and high school students can walk around the city and have international exchange in all English. So far, we have held events in Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, and Okinawa, with a total of over 10,000 participants. Because it feels like a game, even children who aren’t good at English will smile, and before they know it, they’ll love the language! We’ve condensed the planning and management know-how of this popular program into “International Train.”
Implementation background
In the area of “Lifestyle Creation and Urban Development” in the Group Management Vision “Transformation 2027,” the JR East Group is transforming the role of stations and public transportation from “transportation hubs” to “living platforms,” and is improving the area along the railway lines. We aim to deepen our cooperation. HelloWorld, on the other hand, connects the issue of foreigners living in Japan not being able to fit into the local community with practical English education and diversity education for children, and promotes exchange between the two sides.
The International Train, created through business co-creation, is the first step in a demonstration experiment to examine how railways can approach the promotion of diversity and inclusion in areas along the railway lines.
About HelloWorld Co., Ltd.
With the aim of “creating a society where it is natural to have friends from each country in the world,” we offer “Machinaka Study Abroad,” a homestay experience at the home of foreigners living in Japan, and “WorldClassroom,” which connects schools around the world online and promotes international exchange. ” and has developed multiple businesses. To date, we have provided more than 80,000 people with high-quality educational opportunities that offer the same level of diversity as studying abroad.
Aiming to achieve both social impact and business, we are working to realize a society that recognizes diversity, is full of dialogue, and where innovation is born.
Corporate site: https://inc.hello-world.city/
*Travels may be canceled or trains may be delayed due to stormy weather or transportation problems on the day of the tour.
*All images are for illustrative purposes only.