In a move that fuels the DS juggernaut in Japan, Kyoto's Yawata Municipal Board of Education approved using the Nintendo DS during junior high school English class. Previous tests showed that using Chuugaku Eitango Target 1800 DS vocab training software, students increased their English word knowledge by 40 percent over five months. Says Sophia University English literature professor:

The students attained a level equivalent to level 3 in the Eiken Test in Practical English Proficiency, which is held by only 30 percent of junior high school students nationwide. The results are impressive.

Bet those in-class Pictochat sessions are more fun than a tickle party! Brian Ashcraft

Kyoto Getting DSes [Mainichi, Thanks Matthew!]