[AI Learning vs. Instructor Lessons] AI Learning for Daily English, Instructor Lessons for Business English | Skill-Up Research Institute Survey Results

Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Miyahara)'s group company, Bend Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda, Tokyo / CEO: Kiyoshi Kondo), which operates the AI English conversation app "Talkful" for practical English conversation learning, announced the results of its "Comparative Survey on AI and Instructor Lessons in English Learning" conducted by its "Skill-Up Research Institute" on March 23, 2026.

Full survey results here: https://reskill.gakken.jp/5199

---

---

■Background of the Survey

The options for English learning have expanded significantly in recent years.

While AI English conversation and AI proofreading are becoming widespread, face-to-face and online instructor lessons remain popular, making it difficult to determine which is best for an individual.

Therefore, a survey was conducted targeting 100 individuals each with experience in AI learning and instructor lessons, comparing their objectives, ease of continuation, and perceived effectiveness.

■Survey Results

◆AI for Daily English, Instructors for Business English

When asked about their main purpose for English learning, 56% of those who used AI learning cited "English conversation (daily/travel)" as the most common purpose. For those who used instructor lessons, "English conversation (daily/travel)" was also the most common at 45%, but "English conversation (business)" was relatively high at 29%.

These results suggest that while daily English conversation is the primary purpose for English learning, AI learning tends to be used for daily/travel purposes, while instructor lessons are used for business purposes.

◆Advantages of AI Learning: "Ease of Continuation" and "Low Psychological Barrier"

When asked if they could continue learning without difficulty with AI learning and instructor lessons, affirmative responses were 79% for AI learning and 68% for instructor lessons.

Notably, "strongly agree" was 25% for AI learning compared to 14% for instructor lessons, indicating that AI learning is superior in terms of ease of continuation.

Furthermore, when asked about embarrassment or tension when making mistakes or indicating lack of understanding during learning, the total for "felt strongly" and "felt somewhat" was 31% for AI learning.

In contrast, for instructor lessons, the total significantly increased to 56%.

◆Advantage of Instructor Lessons: "High Perceived Effectiveness"

Comparing the perceived improvement in English skills, affirmative responses were 67% for AI learning and 77% for instructor lessons.

Specifically, "strongly agree" was 8% for AI learning compared to a high 19% for instructor lessons, indicating a tendency for instructor lessons to lead to a stronger sense of improvement.

■Challenges and Prospects

This survey reveals that AI learning and instructor lessons each have distinct characteristics and strengths, requiring learners to choose based on their English level and goals.

Moving forward, it will be crucial to strengthen mechanisms that allow learners to feel the results of their learning more effectively, while maintaining the "ease of continuation" that is a strength of AI learning.

The AI English conversation app "Talkful" makes it easy to feel improvement through authentic English conversation practice and can be used for a wide range of purposes, from daily conversation to business situations directly related to work.

Starting with Talkful to establish a daily English conversation habit and then accelerating learning according to one's objectives would be a realistic first step.

---

■About the AI English Conversation App "Talkful"

Talkful is an app that allows you to take authentic English conversation lessons with an AI instructor. With Talkful, you can acquire globally applicable language skills with just one smartphone.

Since you can take English conversation lessons anytime with just one smartphone, you can learn at your own pace even on busy days. It's perfect for practicing speaking and listening as you can speak freely and frequently.

We offer thorough guidance from an AI instructor who is far more polite, persistent, and knowledgeable than a human instructor, at an exceptionally reasonable price.

---

Regarding the Citation and Reproduction of Survey Results

The copyright of this report is held by Bend Co., Ltd. When citing or reproducing, please be sure to clearly state the source in a form such as "According to Skill-Up Research Institute" and include links to this article (https://reskill.gakken.jp/5199) and Skill-Up Research Institute (https://reskill.gakken.jp/).

We shall not be held responsible for any damages or other troubles incurred by users or third parties as a result of citation or reproduction.

〈Survey Overview〉

■WEB Media for Adult Reskilling "Skill-Up Research Institute"