[AI Learning vs. Instructor Lessons] AI Learning for Daily English Conversation, Instructor Lessons for Business English: Skill-Up Research Institute Survey Results
A survey by Skill-Up Research Institute, operated by Bend Co., Ltd. (a Gakken Holdings group company), compared AI-based English learning with instructor-led lessons. The results, announced on March 23, 2026, indicate that AI learning is more suitable for daily English conversation due to its ease of continuation and lower psychological barrier, while instructor lessons are better for business English, offering a higher sense of progress.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 21:30 (367h 28m after Collected)
Bend Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda, Tokyo / CEO: Kiyoshi Kondo), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / Representative Director and President: Hiroaki Miyahara) that operates the practical AI English conversation app "Talkful," announced the results of its "Comparative Survey of AI and Instructor Lessons in English Learning" conducted by its "Skill-Up Research Institute" on March 23, 2026.
[Key Survey Findings]
・AI learning is suitable for daily English conversation, while instructor lessons are for business English.
・Advantages of AI learning are "ease of continuation" and "low psychological barrier."
・Advantage of instructor lessons is "high sense of effectiveness."
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 people who had experienced AI learning and 100 people who had experienced instructor lessons, comparing their objectives, ease of continuation, and sense of effectiveness.
■Survey Results
◆AI for daily English conversation, instructors for business English
When asked about their main purpose for learning English, 56% of AI learning users cited "English conversation (daily/travel)" as the most common. For instructor lesson users, "English conversation (daily/travel)" was also the most common at 45%, but "English conversation (business)" was relatively high at 29%.
From these results, it can be seen that while the primary purpose of English learning is daily conversation, there is a tendency to differentiate between AI learning for daily/travel purposes and instructor lessons for business purposes.
◆Advantages of AI learning: "Ease of continuation" and "low psychological barrier"
When asked if they were able to continue without difficulty with AI learning and instructor lessons, 79% of AI learning users and 68% of instructor lesson users responded affirmatively.
Notably, 25% of AI learning users strongly agreed, compared to 14% for instructor lessons, indicating that AI learning has an advantage in terms of ease of continuation.
Furthermore, when asked about embarrassment or tension when making mistakes or indicating a lack of understanding during learning, the total for "strongly felt" and "somewhat felt" was 31% for AI learning.
In contrast, the total for instructor lessons was significantly higher at 56%.
◆Advantage of instructor lessons: "High sense of effectiveness"
Comparing the sense of improvement in English proficiency, 67% of AI learning users and 77% of instructor lesson users responded affirmatively.
In particular, 19% of instructor lesson users strongly agreed, compared to 8% for AI learning, showing a tendency for instructor lessons to provide a stronger sense of improvement.
■Challenges and Outlook
This survey reveals that AI learning and instructor lessons each have different characteristics and strengths, and learners are required to use them appropriately according to their English level and goals.
Looking ahead, it will be important to strengthen mechanisms that allow learners to feel a greater sense of achievement while maintaining the "ease of continuation" that is a strength of AI learning.
The AI English conversation app "Talkful" makes it easy to feel progress through authentic English conversation practice and can be used for a wide range of situations, from daily conversation to business scenarios 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.
You can take English conversation lessons anytime with just one smartphone, allowing you to 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, all at an exceptionally reasonable price.
Download Talkful here: https://talkful.ai/app
For corporate use applications, click here: https://talkful.ai/business/contact
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/).
Example of citation:
Source: https://reskill.gakken.jp/5199
(Skill-Up Research Institute: https://reskill.gakken.jp/)
We shall not be held responsible for any damages or other troubles that may arise for users or third parties due to citation or reproduction.
〈Survey Outline〉
|
Survey Name |
Comparative Survey of AI and Instructor Lessons in English Learning |
|
Target Audience |
People who have used instructor lessons or AI learning |
|
Target Region |
Nationwide |
|
Survey Method |
Internet survey |
|
Survey Period |
February 7, 2026 - February 14, 2026 |
|
Number of Responses |
People who have used instructor lessons: 100 people People who have used AI learning: 100 people Total: 200 people |
■WEB Media for Adult Reskilling "Skill-Up Research Institute"
Skill-Up Research Institute introduces unique career information and beneficial learning methods based on the latest actual surveys conducted by our company.
In the actual surveys, we conduct questionnaires on the current status of skill improvement and reskilling, and then provide explanations based on the results. By analyzing the current situation, we will consider what to do next based on real voices to realize a society where more people can engage in skill improvement when they desire.
On the pages introducing career information and beneficial learning methods, we provide information that can be helpful for those aiming to advance their careers and improve their skills.
This article is highly recommended for those who "want to work on career advancement and skill improvement but don't know what to do next" or "have heard of reskilling but wonder if they can do it themselves."
Skill-Up Research Institute: https://reskill.gakken.jp/
■About Bend Co., Ltd.
https://reskill.gakken.jp/company
Representative Director: Kiyoshi Kondo
Established: March 1, 2019
Capital: 15 million yen (including capital reserve)
Location: 4F NTV Yotsuya Building, 5-3-23 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0083
Contact: [email protected]
■About Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd.
A holding company established in 1946, engaged in education and medical welfare-related businesses. In the education sector, it operates classroom and cram school businesses including "Gakken Classrooms," publishes educational materials such as "Science" and "Learning" content, and provides services to kindergartens and schools including textbooks and childcare supplies. In the medical welfare sector, it operates assisted living facilities for seniors, group homes for dementia patients, and childcare support services such as nurseries and after-school care. Gakken Holdings conducts education and medical welfare activities in over 150 countries globally. In November 2023, aiming to realize its newly declared aspiration "To be a company that pursues human potential to the fullest," it strives to contribute to the expansion of human and societal potential by supporting the challenges of all generations, from children to students, working adults, and seniors, by fostering their curiosity. Consolidated sales for the fiscal year ending September 2025 are projected to be 199.1 billion yen, with 82 consolidated subsidiaries. Listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Securities Code: 9470).