Pioneering new ways to measure communication with our speaking assessments — Ei5 and ii5
Revolutionary speaking assessment platforms designed to measure real communication skills, not just memorization. Built with cutting-edge technology to serve the global language learning community.
English speaking test for Japanese professionals. Advanced AI-powered assessment that evaluates real conversation ability, pronunciation, and professional communication skills.
Japanese speaking test for non-native speakers. Comprehensive assessment platform that measures authentic Japanese communication skills with cultural context awareness.
Both platforms utilize patent-pending AI technology
Developed through Japan's largest bilateral language study
Our commitment to advancing language assessment through rigorous research and innovative technology development has positioned SkillYah as a leader in communication testing.
Comprehensive research involving thousands of participants across Japan and international communities, establishing new benchmarks for communication assessment methodology.
Revolutionary AI algorithms that analyze speech patterns, cultural context, and real-time communication effectiveness beyond traditional testing methods.
Ongoing collaboration with international education institutions to standardize authentic communication assessment across diverse cultural contexts.
Help us map the gap between test scores and real conversation.
Made in Japan. Data is reported in aggregate only.
We're currently developing next-generation assessment technologies that will further revolutionize how the world measures and develops communication skills.
Explore Our ResearchGuiding SkillYah with expertise in education, technology, linguistics, and global communication.
Advisory Board Chair
Dr. Joseph Rios is a Stanford-trained linguist and an expert in language and workplace communication. Fluent in Japanese, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Italian, and German, he brings a unique multilingual perspective to global communication challenges. As the founder of Dakodit, he helps international professionals sharpen their communication skills. His research and training programs bridge the gap between theory and real-world performance, empowering clients to communicate with clarity and confidence.
Advisory Board Member
Dr. Sayaka Machizawa is a neuropsychologist with over 18 years of experience advancing clinical research and global mental health initiatives. As Director of Clinical Program & Performance at Signant Health, she leads large-scale CNS clinical trials in partnership with leading pharmaceutical companies, ensuring data integrity and excellence in outcome measurement. Fluent in both Japanese and English, Dr. Machizawa has trained hundreds of clinical raters and investigators worldwide, bridging cross-cultural understanding through her expertise in neuropsychology and transnational psychology.
Student Advisor - Waseda University
Kiefer Noa Tomao is a first-year student at Waseda University's School of International Liberal Studies and serves as a Student Advisory Intern at SkillYah. He brings an international perspective through his strong English proficiency (IELTS 7.5, TOEFL 97, and Eiken Grade 1) and his volunteer work supporting foreign children learning Japanese. Kiefer also presented at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2025 as part of his SkillYah internship.
Special Advisor
Dr. Dawn Lehman is a cultural anthropologist with extensive experience in federal, corporate, and foundation grant writing and training. She has led research, course development, and professional development initiatives, while also consulting on intercultural communication and organizational strategy. Her work integrates anthropological insight with practical leadership frameworks, helping teams navigate complexity, build cultural fluency, and operate more effectively in diverse global environments.
Global Partnerships Advisor
Ben is a communications expert and award-winning author. He has designed and delivered numerous training programs focused on effective communication and leadership. As a recruiting and selection specialist, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Open Source Recruiter.
Technology Advisor
Adnan has over 18 years of experience managing complex projects across web and mobile development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, computer vision, and IoT. His technical expertise and leadership have supported innovation in both industry and academic collaborations.
Senior Advisor – Japan Operations
Yoshihiro is a Japanese language expert with more than 30 years of teaching and training experience. A certified instructor, he has guided learners across academic and professional contexts. He also serves as an ii5 Master Rater, bringing specialized expertise in language assessment and evaluation.
Advisory Board Member
Roberto is a fractional executive with over 15 years of experience in payments, risk, operations, and marketing. He served as COO at Hola Cash, building payments, support, and risk functions until its acquisition, and previously managed risk and payments at Uber across Latin America and the U.S. He holds a BA in Marketing from Universidad de Guadalajara and completed Oxford's Fintech Program.
Advisory Board Member
Antonio is a workforce and leadership educator with a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Business Psychology. He has over 15 years of experience leading initiatives in talent development, organizational effectiveness, and social impact for underserved communities. Antonio also serves as CEO of 23 Consulting, providing workforce training, leadership development, and organizational growth strategies.
Advisory Board Member
Mika is a certified bilingual Japanese language instructor who teaches Japanese through English. She has taught students worldwide, including her current role at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo, and studied abroad in Australia. With more than 30 years of experience in corporate banking, Mika specialized in mergers and acquisitions at one of Japan's largest banks.
Advisory Board Member
Sanaz is an executive coach and organizational consultant with a Ph.D. in Business Psychology and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. She brings two decades of leadership experience, including nearly 19 years at UCLA, where she supported large-scale organizational operations. Her coaching practice focuses on helping high-performing leaders overcome burnout, gain clarity, and lead with balance.
Advisory Board Member
Joseph is an executive academic leader with more than 25 years of experience in higher education, including nearly 15 years as an Academic Dean. He has expanded and strengthened programs in health education and research, driving significant growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes at institutions nationwide. His career includes leadership roles with Michigan State University, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and National American University.
Meet our distinguished advisory board guiding SkillYah's mission
View Complete Leadership TeamEducation Innovation Group Born in Japan. Creating revolutionary language assessment platforms that measure real communication skills worldwide.
Stay updated on our latest research, product development, and language assessment innovations.
Privacy first. Audio data is used solely for assessment scoring and feedback.
SkillYah, GK (Tokyo) is the global parent of the SkillYah brand.
Originally founded in the U.S. as SkillYah LLC, SkillYah is now
headquartered in Japan and leads innovation in language assessment
through Ei5 and ii5.
© 2025 SkillYah - Education Innovation
Group Born in Japan. All rights reserved.