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Lasse Leponiemi

Chairman, The HundrED Foundation
first.last@hundred.org

Visual English

We Don’t Teach English. We Teach Fluency.

Visual English is a visual-first language learning platform that helps children speak English confidently. Instead of memorizing grammar, students respond to carefully designed visual prompts that trigger real conversation. We support teachers with ready-to-use curriculum and are scaling globally through subscriptions and an AI-powered speaking tutor.

Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated February 2026
Web presence

3

Countries
Students lower
Target group
I hope to shift education from memorization to real communication. For too long, language learning has focused on grammar and tests instead of speaking. Through Visual English, I want students to speak from day one, build confidence, and think in English naturally. My goal is classrooms where fluency replaces fear, and conversation replaces silent memorization.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

After 25 years of teaching English, I kept seeing the same problem: students studied for years, passed exams, and memorized vocabulary, yet they froze when asked to speak. The traditional system focuses heavily on grammar and translation rather than real communication.

I created Visual English to solve this “silent classroom” problem. I wanted children to think in English, not translate in their heads. By using structured visual prompts instead of static text, students begin speaking naturally from day one. The innovation was born from real classroom frustration and years of practical experience.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

practice, Visual English is a structured, visual-first learning ecosystem. Teachers use ready-made digital slides filled with carefully selected images designed to trigger conversation.

Instead of explaining grammar rules first, teachers ask guided questions based on visuals. Students respond verbally, building fluency through repetition and context.

The platform includes 10 curriculum levels, 178 structured units, and over 20,000 visual assets. It reduces teacher preparation time to near zero and increases active speaking time in class.

The next phase includes an AI-powered speaking assistant trained on our structured method, giving children a 24/7 conversation partner.

How has it been spreading?

Visual English began in my own language school and expanded organically through book sales, teacher referrals, and classroom adoption.

We have reached over 1,000 learners and maintain strong retention in partner schools. Our work has gained international recognition: we ranked Top 3 globally at the Lovable SHIPPED competition out of 6,000 startups, won the Global Education Innovation Award, were shortlisted for the QS Reimagine Education Awards, secured funding from the Swiss Contribution and EU Regional Development Funds, and are currently participating in a DOHE Accelerator Program in London.

Growth has been driven by word-of-mouth, teacher communities, startup accelerators, and education innovation networks. We are now transitioning from local classroom implementation to international digital scaling through our platform and upcoming AI expansion.

How have you modified or added to your innovation?

The innovation began as printed worksheets, then evolved into structured books, and later into a full digital teacher platform.

We shifted from a product-based model to a subscription-based system to enable scalability and recurring revenue.

We are currently developing Vizzy, an AI chatbot trained on our structured speaking framework, which transforms our classroom methodology into a scalable global solution.

We continuously refine content, improve visual quality, and strengthen the structure based on classroom feedback.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

You can try Visual English immediately.

Without logging in, you can access the first unit of every level for free.

We also offer a freemium model:
– The first 20 visuals in each unit are accessible without payment
– A 7-day full-access trial unlocks the entire platform

Teachers can explore complete lessons, slides, and speaking prompts before committing.

This allows educators to experience the methodology in action and see how quickly students begin speaking.

Implementation steps

1. Before Your First Lesson
You do not need to prepare additional materials. However: - Choose the correct level based on age and speaking ability
- Open the selected unit in the Content Viewer
- Preview the printable PDF and book exercises
- Decide where you will insert reinforcement blocks
- Everything is ready inside the system.
2. Understanding the Lesson Structure
Each unit integrates: Visual slides inside the Content Viewer - A printable PDF version of the same unit
- A structured physical Visual English book
- Vocabulary Hub games with Vizzy
- Topic-related video
- Optional external games
All components are connected. You rotate between them to maintain focus, energy, and retention.
How the Components Work Together - 1. Content Viewer Slides
This is the speaking core. Step 1: Open the first slide
Step 2: Ask short Direct Method questions
Step 3: Ask each question twice
Step 4: Require full sentence answers
Step 5: Expand into short dialogue
Keep rhythm fast and controlled.
How the Components Work Together - Printable PDF and Physical Visual English Book
Use reinforcement blocks after 8 to 10 minutes of speaking. Step 1: Switch to the printable PDF or physical book
Step 2: Assign short structured tasks
Step 3: Monitor quietly and support spelling
Step 4: Recap orally after completion
Purpose:
- Break screen monotony
- Reset attention
- Reinforce vocabulary
- Strengthen long-term memory
- Speaking builds fluency.
- Written reinforcement builds retention.
How the Components Work Together – Games, Video and Vocabulary Hub
Use these after speaking and reinforcement stages. Step 1: Open one Vocabulary Hub game with Vizzy
Step 2: Allow fast repetition and recall
Step 3: Keep it short and energetic
For video: Step 1: Play a short segment
Step 2: Pause frequently
Step 3: Ask prediction and comprehension questions
Step 4: Connect the video to target vocabulary
- Games increase repetition.
- Video strengthens listening.
- Speaking remains central.
Homework and Student Engagement
If students are invited to the platform, teachers can assign Vocabulary Hub games or a short topic-related video as homework. Students earn:
• Stars for completing games
• Badges for reaching milestones
• Streak rewards for consistent practice
Homework reinforces vocabulary, increases repetition, and maintains engagement beyond the classroom.
Final Lesson Flow Recommendation
- Speaking slides with Direct Method questioning
- Controlled sentence expansion
- Printable or book reinforcement
- Vocabulary Hub game with Vizzy
- Short guided video discussion
- Rapid recap and oral recall

Spread of the innovation

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