Zengaikyo is a private agency approved by the Japanese Education Board and is in charge of promoting foreign language education in Japan. Zengaikyo, the Japan Association for the Promotion of Foreign Language Education, was founded in 1991.
Conversation schools in Japan are not automatically approved, but must submit an application and must meet strict guidelines in order to receive membership. AEON has been a proud member of Zengaikyo since 1993. Some of the requirements, but not all, to be admitted into the organization are as follows:
- In principle, over 50% of the foreign language education department’s income should come from educational activities.
- In principle, language educational facilities are required to have a minimum of 2 years elapse from establishment with no infractions of the ethics code, and/or unfair action towards any consumer.
- The main campus of the educational facility must have a full-time administration department.
- Educational institutions must provide sufficient audio-visual aids, language educational materials, and textbooks for the students enrolled at the institute in question.
- Course content, purpose, curriculum, syllabus, etc., must be clearly stated.
- There should be a system in place for counseling of language students.
- All foreign teachers must meet immigration control requirements and/or requirements of the Refugee Recognition Act.
- Instructors must have graduated university, or have received the equivalent amount of education. (both Japanese instructors/foreign instructors).
- Instructors must have received instruction in teaching methods appropriate to their mother language.
Zengaikyo, in addition to the above, has strict policies regarding student care and teacher requirements that are listed in full on their website. All of this information can be found on their website which includes a link to an English translation.