Quality education starts with great teachers, and at Duolingo we're bringing that belief to life in an exciting new way. The Duolingo English Test is participating in Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)’s scheme to give elementary, junior high, and high school English teachers across Japan unprecedented access to the DET.
Through this new initiative, eligible Japanese English teachers can now take the DET at a significant 75% discount, available for just USD 17. This special pricing is designed to help teachers enhance their own language proficiency and strengthen their teaching skills in the most flexible and accessible way possible.
Why this initiative matters
English education in Japan places strong emphasis on boosting teachers' proficiency and instructional skills. Recognizing this, MEXT established a program offering English teachers discounted access to certified English proficiency exams. Duolingo has joined the initiative to provide affordable and accessible proficiency testing to educators across Japan.
The DET is a modern, digital-first English proficiency assessment recognized by more than 6,000 institutions globally. Unlike traditional exams, the DET can be taken online at any time and from any location, ensuring that teachers across Japan—regardless of their location or schedule—can easily measure and validate their English language abilities.
Launching the initiative at the DET Leadership Seminar
We officially launched this exciting collaboration during the inaugural DET Leadership Seminar held in Tokyo on September 25. This seminar brought together over 80 university representatives, senior Duolingo leaders, and prominent voices from Japan’s higher education community to discuss the pivotal role Japanese universities play in shaping global education.
The seminar marked the beginning of Duolingo’s full-scale expansion in Japan, emphasizing our commitment to broaden access to quality education, support educators, and strengthen international engagement. The event underscored our belief that robust support for educators directly translates into better learning outcomes for students nationwide.
A shared vision for educational excellence
There's no limit to how many teachers can benefit from this initiative, and we warmly encourage all eligible educators to consider the Duolingo English Test as their preferred, accessible means of certifying their English skills.
Duolingo remains dedicated to providing fair, affordable, and accessible English proficiency assessments, and we are honored to partner with MEXT to support English teachers across Japan. Together, we look forward to empowering educators, enhancing classroom instruction, and contributing positively to Japan’s vibrant educational landscape.