Tencent and Age of Learning launch ABCmouse in China

Los Angeles based startup, Age of Learning, is teaming up with Tencent, a Chinese multinational conglomerate to launch an English education program for children in China. The Age of Learning developed ABCmouse, which will be localized for Chinese students.

The ABCmouse software uses videos, books and online activities like games, songs and stories to help kids study English. According to the reports, the ABCmouse app will be available on iOS and Android and it can be accessed as a website as well. The reports also suggest that Tencent will be taking care of the product development, marketing, sales and customer support.

Educative Partnerships

Tencent is already involved in educative technology where it invested in VIPKID, an online video tutoring platform that connects Chinese kids with English teachers. VIPKID was on competitive terms with QKids and Dada ABC. The new partnership with Age of Learning is another extension of Tencent in ed-tech.

The upcoming Chinese version of the ABCmouse includes the messenger WeChat, which is an online messenger platform by Tencent. Today, WeChat has more than one billion users and 783 million monthly active users on its instant messaging service QQ. Including WeChat and QQ makes it easier for parents to sign up and pay for ABCmouse. Additionally, parents can track through their children’s English-learning progress on their news feeds and chats.