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Linguaskill hits 1 million milestone

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SINGAPORE, April 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — One million Linguaskill English tests have been taken around the world since Cambridge launched the test in 2018. The test, developed by experts at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is a quick online English test powered by cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) and adaptive algorithms.

Since Cambridge launched Linguaskill, the demand for the test has gone from strength to strength. It is used by HR professionals to make important decisions on recruitment, staff development and training. It’s also used by schools and universities to check English language levels for course placement, progress measurement and graduation.

The multi-level test is designed to check the English levels of individuals and groups of candidates. It covers all four language skills – speaking, reading, writing and listening – and provides accurate results within 48 hours. Results are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the international standard for describing language ability.

Growing recognition

The test is officially recognised by more than 1,300 organisations around the world including higher education institutions, government ministries and the corporate sector. This includes big names such as University of Barcelona (Spain), and TAP Air (Portugal). Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

In Asia, these include MEXT Japan (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), the Ministry of Higher Education and the Department of Private Education in Malaysia, the Thai Ministry of Education, the Vietnamese Ministry of Education, and the Service Institution of Higher Education, regional DKI Jakarta.

In terms of corporate organisations, Linguaskill has been adopted by more than 40 reputable organisations in Asia for staff recruitment, training and development. These organisations include Japan Airlines, DHL Asia Pacific, Le Meridien Hotel Jakarta, Tokyo Olympics, PT Kino Indonesia TBK, PT Sinar Sosro, PT Mayora Indah TBK, Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association, Prince Court Medical Center Malaysia, to name a few.

 

Test your employees’ English communication skills with Linguaskill – YouTube

Convenient and reliable language testing

Linguaskill can be easily administered and invigilated at organisations’ own venues with only the need for a computer, an internet connection, a microphone and a set of headphones. It can also be taken by individuals at home using an online invigilation service. This flexibility allowed Linguaskill to be run at scale throughout the global pandemic. In fact, there has not been a single day in the last four years, when a Linguaskill test has not been taken.

Francesca Woodward, global managing director for English at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said:
“Linguaskill has proved to be a fantastic online test for measuring English language ability and we’re delighted to be celebrating such a landmark achievement. Our experts have designed the test so it uses the latest AI technology and adaptive algorithms to give a really accurate measure of English language ability quickly and economically. It has given tens of thousands of people around the world access to a broader range of education and employment opportunities.”

Cutting-edge technology

Linguaskill is powered by cutting-edge adaptive algorithms which mean that each test is tailored to each candidate. The technology that drives the reading and listening modules of the test quickly home in on the candidate’s true ability, becoming easier or more difficult depending on the individual’s responses. This feature enables Linguaskill to award reliable and accurate results using a single short test which spans multiple CEFR levels.

The Speaking and Writing modules use a high-tech, AI auto-marking feature as part of the hybrid marking approach. This hybrid, or ‘human-in-the-loop’, marking model in which an auto-marker is used in live assessment, but with the involvement of human examiners, is about using trained human examiner expertise to support and further develop the auto-marker. This advanced marking system enables fast, reliable results to be awarded within 48-hours.

This video introduces Linguaskill and explains the benefits of using the test.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd4NPeOZI-c&list=PLpmCHL8PnXq80tX9zLSK937RxpSwmIMdL&index=2

Visit the website of Cambridge English for additional information.

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/ 
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/my/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/ 
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/jp/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/ 
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/vn/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/id/
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/th/
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/kr/ 

About Cambridge University Press & Assessment

To learn English is to enjoy and experience a language that opens up opportunities across the world.

Together with teachers and our partners, we’re here to engage and inspire millions of people throughout their entire English language learning journey, helping them confidently prove their skills to the world.

As part of a university with global reputation for academic excellence, we create insights derived from deep research, expertise and experiences. This ensures our unique approach meets the real-life needs of learners through inclusive and accessible products and services.

As a global language, English unlocks a lifetime of experiences, and – because language is at the heart of being human – we help people everywhere connect, communicate and come closer together.

Where your world grows.

************************************************************

Cambridge English is the producer and proud co-owner of IELTS, the world’s leading English test for migration and higher education. We help millions of people learn English and prove their skills to the world.

Part of the University of Cambridge, we provide the world’s leading range of qualifications and tests for learners and teachers of English. For us, learning English is more than just exams and grades. It’s about having the confidence to communicate and access a lifetime of enriching experiences and opportunities.

Whether you’re planning to live, work or study in your own country or abroad, we can give you the English language skills to succeed. We provide the world’s leading range of qualifications and tests for learners and teachers of English. Globally recognised by more than 25,000 leading universities, employers and governments, our research-based assessments are a mark of excellence that open doors.

English is spoken in every corner of the globe: from cafés to campuses, markets to meeting rooms and everywhere in between. We deliver exams in over 130 countries to over 5.5 million people every year. We offer comprehensive preparation, support materials and resources for learning and teaching English. Through years of research, we have gained in-depth understanding of how people learn languages. This enables us to design assessments that help learners acquire the right skills based on how people use English today.

Our work is supported around the world by a network of 2,800 exam centres, over 50,000 schools and tens of thousands of examiners, teachers, education experts and publishers. Working together, we inspire learners to go further.

With the right support, learning a language is an exhilarating journey. We’re with you every step of the way.

*************************************************************

What we believe – To learn English is to enjoy and experience a language that opens up opportunities across the world.

What we offer – Together with teachers and our partners, we’re here to engage and inspire millions of people throughout their entire English language learning journey, helping them confidently prove their skills to the world.

How we do things and the impact we have – As part of a university with global reputation for academic excellence, we create insights derived from deep research, expertise and experiences. This ensures our unique approach meets the real-life needs of learners through inclusive and accessible products and services.

The global role of English – As a global language, English unlocks a lifetime of experiences, and – because language is at the heart of being human – we help people everywhere connect, communicate and come closer together.

What we promise – Where your world grows.

– END –

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SOURCE Cambridge University Press & Assessment

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Experience AI Companion in Everyday Life at Hisense IFA 2026

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BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, is inviting visitors at IFA 2026 to experience how AI can make everyday home routines simpler and more intuitive. Under the theme “Innovating a Brighter Life,” the Hisense AI Companion Suite, powered by ConnectLife, brings connected intelligence to the kitchen, laundry and living spaces.

Step into the kitchen and a simple question— “What should I make?”—can set the experience in motion. The AI Companion Refrigerator recognizes stored ingredients and suggests meal ideas based on personal preferences. Once a recipe is selected, it can sync with the AI Companion Oven to support automatic cooking, while the AI Companion Wine Cabinet recommends pairings and maintains suitable storage conditions. After the meal, the AI Companion Dishwasher recognizes dish conditions and adjusts cleaning, demonstrating how AI can support the journey from planning dinner to cleaning up.

In the laundry area, visitors can see how the AI Companion Laundry Suite turns a routine load into a simpler, more automated experience. By recognizing clothing characteristics, it selects suitable wash and dry cycles and adjusts the process automatically, creating a load-and-go experience.

The experience continues in the living space. The AI Companion Air Conditioner senses indoor conditions and user presence, adapting airflow as people move through the room. Meanwhile, the AI Companion Energy System considers weather and time-of-use electricity pricing to help optimize household energy use.

Building on ConnectLife’s support, Hisense is collaborating with Alexa+ to be among the first home appliance brands bringing smart home devices to Amazon’s Alexa+ AI assistant using Amazon’s new Smart Home AI Toolkit. Available in the coming months, Alexa+ customers will be able to control select Hisense air conditioners by simply saying what they need. Alexa+ will then map the request, navigate the settings, and complete the action for them.

Hisense’s approach to innovation has also earned recognition at IFA, with several of its products receiving awards. The Multi Function II Series, an all-in-one energy-saving HVAC solution, received a Winner Award, while the X-zone Master was named an Honoree. The U8 Air Master Air Conditioner, W60 3D Kitchen-fit Series and 60cm Integrated Wine Cabinet were also recognized that underscores Hisense’s focus on combining intelligent technology, thoughtful design and everyday usability.

Across these IFA scenarios, Hisense brings its Smart Home Companion capabilities to life through V AIOS, giving devices the ability to Sense what is happening, Think through what to do, Communicate naturally with users and across devices, and Execute tasks by orchestrating devices and services autonomously. Together, these capabilities help AI Companion Suites understand context, make decisions and take action, helping the home do more while asking less of its users.

About Hisense

Hisense, founded in 1969, is a globally recognized leader in home appliances and consumer electronics with operations in over 180 countries, specializing in delivering high-quality multimedia products, home appliances, and intelligent IT solutions. According to Omdia, Hisense ranks No. 1 globally in the 100-inch and over TV segment (2023-2026H1). As The Origin of RGB MiniLED, Hisense continues to lead the next-generation RGB MiniLED innovation. As the official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, Hisense is committed to global sports partnerships as a way to connect with audiences worldwide.

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Roborock Reports 27.6% Revenue Growth in H1 2026, Reinforcing Global Market Leadership

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BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Roborock, a global leader in home robotics engineered to simplify daily life, reported revenue of RMB 10.084 billion in the first half of 2026, up 27.6% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 45.6% to RMB 986 million. The company also reached a new global milestone, with Roborock recognized as the world’s No.1 robotic vacuum cleaner brand by both IDC and Euromonitor International.

Global Expansion Continues to Strengthen Growth

Roborock’s international business continued to deliver strong growth in H1 2026 across both mature and high-potential markets. During Amazon Prime Day 2026, Roborock ranked No.1 in the robotic vacuum category in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States and Canada. In Europe, Roborock reached a 45% share of the robotic vacuum market, with unit sales up 24% year on year, while wet-dry vacuum unit sales grew 112%. In North America, Roborock reached a 33% share of the robotic vacuum market, with unit sales increasing 30% year on year.

Momentum was also strong across key Asia-Pacific markets. Roborock ranked No.1 in both unit shipments and sales value in Australia, Korea, Taiwan region and Türkiye from Q1 2023 to Q1 2026. In Korea, the brand maintained more than 70% share of the premium robotic vacuum segment, while the S10 MaxV Ultra generated approximately KRW 28 billion in sales within ten days of its February 2026 launch. In Japan, Roborock continued to deepen its premium retail presence through cooperation with Yamada Denki, including dedicated brand displays and nationwide availability of flagship products. Across Asia-Pacific, the company continued to combine its global technology platform with localized channel, marketing and service strategies.

Roborock’s global leadership has also been independently recognized by IDC and Euromonitor International. According to IDC, Roborock ranked No.1 globally by both unit shipments and sales value among robotic vacuum brands in H1 2026, while Euromonitor International ranked the brand No.1 globally by retail sales value in 2025. Together, the two rankings reinforce Roborock’s global market leadership and reflect sustained consumer demand worldwide.

Sustained R&D Investment Supports Long-Term Competitiveness

Roborock continued to invest heavily in technology in the first half of 2026, with R&D spending reaching RMB 720 million, up 5.11% year on year and accounting for 7.14% of revenue. The company continues to build capabilities in intelligent navigation, AI-powered environmental perception, cleaning systems and robotic mobility, while increasingly bringing these technologies together at the system level rather than improving individual specifications in isolation. This integrated approach allows technologies proven in flagship products to be brought into a wider range of models and price segments, helping Roborock strengthen its portfolio while making advanced features available to more consumers.

IFA 2026 Highlights the Next Phase of Innovation

At IFA 2026, Roborock is showcasing its latest advances across indoor and outdoor cleaning. Its new robot vacuums and wet-dry vacuums bring advances in steam-powered care, adaptive cleaning and whole-home versatility, while the Roborock Saros Rover introduces a two-wheel-leg architecture designed to expand robotic mobility beyond flat floors. Roborock is also broadening its intelligent cleaning ecosystem with the debut of the RockAqua P1, its first intelligent pool cleaner, alongside the RockNeo Q2 LiDAR robotic mower, extending its autonomous cleaning capabilities across floors, pools and gardens.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/roborock-reports-27-6-revenue-growth-in-h1-2026–reinforcing-global-market-leadership-302868216.html

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Agoda Unveils South Korean Travelers’ Top Domestic and International Destinations for Chuseok Holiday

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– Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, Da Nang, and Nha Trang topped overseas destinations, while Jeju, Busan, Seoul, Sokcho, and Gyeongju led domestic hotspots  

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the Chuseok holiday around the corner, South Korean travelers are already making plans to make the most of the four-day break. According to digital travel platform Agoda, accommodation searches for international and domestic destinations have increased by 38% and 160%, respectively, compared to two weeks before the holiday period.

Based on accommodation searches made by South Korean travelers between May to mid-August 2026, Agoda found that Japanese destinations dominated the list of the most-searched overseas destinations for the Chuseok holiday. Fukuoka ranked first, followed by Tokyo and Osaka. Beyond Japan, Vietnamese destinations also proved popular, with Da Nang and Nha Trang rounding out the top five. The findings highlight South Korean travelers’ continued preference for short- and mid-haul destinations, where they can enjoy a combination of cultural experiences and seaside leisure.

Due to its proximity to South Korea with an average flight time of just 1.5 hours from Seoul, Fukuoka is one of the most accessible Japanese destinations for South Korean travelers. The destination is expected to become even more accessible with Eastar Jet’s expanded services on the Incheon–Fukuoka route through October 24, and the Busan–Fukuoka route from August 29 to October 24, covering the Chuseok holiday period.

For those making travel plans closer to home, Jeju ranked as the most-searched domestic destination, with a 131% increase in travel interest, followed by Busan (147%), Seoul (64%), Sokcho (324%), and Gyeongju (222%). Sokcho, which recorded the strongest growth in search interest among the top 5 domestic destinations, saw tourism expenditure by South Korean travelers increase by 8.2% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. The high growth in interest in Sokcho’, driven by its diverse mix of mountains, beaches, lakes, culinary experiences and cultural attractions, suggests that the destination could see continued visitor demand through the second half of the year, including during the Chuseok holiday period.

Gyeongju, which ranked fifth, continues to attract South Korean travelers with its historic sites and rich cultural heritage. The city’s appeal could be further boosted by expanded KTX and KTX-Eum services scheduled to begin in September, offering travelers improved rail connectivity during the autumn travel season.

Alex Park, Country Director, South Korea at Agoda shared, “As the Chuseok holiday approaches, South Korean travelers are showing strong interest in nearby destinations, with domestic travel seeing particularly strong demand. As a global travel platform, Agoda is committed to supporting travelers with diverse preferences by offering great deals on flights, accommodation, and activities, whether they are looking to explore destinations overseas or closer to home.”

As South Korean travelers finalize their Chuseok holiday plans, Agoda continues to offer a seamless booking experience across more than six million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities worldwide. To find the best deals for autumn travel to Asia and beyond, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app. As part of Agoda’s August Mega Sale, travelers can enjoy up to 60% off on hotel bookings during the main sale through 31 August.

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SOURCE Agoda

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