From TOEIC 405 to the Peak of Global Standards Through Self-Study: "Climbing the English Mountain," a 10-Year Journey and Learning Method, to be Released on April 23rd
Alk Co., Ltd. will release "Climbing the English Mountain" on April 23rd, a book summarizing the 10-year journey and learning methods of an author who achieved world-class English proficiency through self-study, starting from a TOEIC score of 405.
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- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 03:58 (17h 26m after Collected)
Alk Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Nobuaki Tanaka, hereinafter referred to as Alk) is pleased to announce the release of its new book, "Climbing the English Mountain."
The cover of "Climbing the English Mountain"
Amidst the advancement of globalization and AI technology, a book filled with overwhelming passion and practical know-how has been created for all English learners who still wish to "learn English on their own and connect with the world."
The author, Kei Wada (Togemaru), experienced a period in his university days where he was pushed to the brink of social withdrawal due to setbacks in human relationships. However, a word from a counselor prompted him to start learning English, beginning from a TOEIC score of 405. Over 10 years of self-study, he conquered numerous difficult English qualifications, including a perfect score of 990 on the TOEIC® L&R test, Eiken® Grade 1, UN English Proficiency Test Special A Grade, IELTS 7.5, and the highest-level English qualification, Cambridge English C2 Proficiency. This book thoroughly compiles his gritty yet brilliant 10-year journey and the specific learning methods for overcoming each exam.
In this book, readers will find numerous "Togemaru-style" learning methods that can be imitated starting today, such as a vocabulary memorization technique utilizing "sensory stimulation" and "review cycles," the effective use of "content blocks" to facilitate speech and essay writing, and prompts for using AI as a dedicated tutor. Furthermore, it is packed with practical advice to accompany self-learners, such as how to overcome periods of stagnation and how to keep a "learning record" to maintain motivation.
The author states that "English learning is not a 'competition,' but 'mountain climbing'." It describes realistically the importance of continuing to learn on one's own terms, rather than trying to meet others' expectations, and the process of cultivating a global perspective through English and expanding life's options. This book is a learning record that illuminates the path for those who are about to start "climbing the English mountain" and for those who are currently paused halfway, strongly encouraging them with the message, "Now it's your turn."
■Table of Contents
Chapter 1: In Place of a Preface - Why I Learn English
Chapter 2: Climbing the Mountain of TOEIC® L&R Test 800 Points
Chapter 3: Climbing the Mountain of TOEIC® L&R Test 990 Points
Chapter 4: Climbing the Mountain of Eiken® Grade 1
Chapter 5: Climbing the Mountain of UN English Proficiency Test Special A Grade
Chapter 6: Climbing the Mountain of IELTS®
Chapter 7: Climbing the Mountain of Cambridge English Exam
Final Chapter: In Place of an Afterword - The Path of Effort Opens Up the Future
Columns
Before Starting to "Climb the English Mountain"
Ultimately, "Learning Volume" is Important
Ingenuity for Habit Formation
Three Review Steps to Make Reading Skills "Genuine"
Current Learning Routine
The Good and Bad of the Internet
A Compass for Walking in Information "Blank Zones" - Utilizing Blogs of Predecessors
＜Product Information＞
【Title】"Climbing the English Mountain"
【URL】www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4757442815
【Price】1,980 yen (tax included)
【Size】Shishiro-ban (188×127), 240 pages
【ISBN Code】978-4-7574-4281-8
【Release Date】April 27, 2026
【Author】Togemaru (Kei Wada)
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1995. English cram school instructor. Graduated from Chuo University, Faculty of Letters. Experienced being on the verge of social withdrawal due to interpersonal setbacks during university, but inspired by a psychological counselor's words, he embarked on English learning. After 10 years of self-study, he conquered numerous difficult English language proficiency tests, including a perfect score of 990 on the TOEIC L&R test, Eiken Grade 1 (Eiken Encouragement Award recipient / top 1% pass rate), UN English Proficiency Test Special A Grade, IELTS 7.5, and Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE). Currently, he teaches English to high school students and working adults at "University Entrance Exam TG" and "TG Foreign Language Academy" in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. On X (@KTogemaru) and note (@united_togemaru), he shares daily learning records and practical learning methods, gaining support from many learners.
The cover of "Climbing the English Mountain"
Amidst the advancement of globalization and AI technology, a book filled with overwhelming passion and practical know-how has been created for all English learners who still wish to "learn English on their own and connect with the world."
The author, Kei Wada (Togemaru), experienced a period in his university days where he was pushed to the brink of social withdrawal due to setbacks in human relationships. However, a word from a counselor prompted him to start learning English, beginning from a TOEIC score of 405. Over 10 years of self-study, he conquered numerous difficult English qualifications, including a perfect score of 990 on the TOEIC® L&R test, Eiken® Grade 1, UN English Proficiency Test Special A Grade, IELTS 7.5, and the highest-level English qualification, Cambridge English C2 Proficiency. This book thoroughly compiles his gritty yet brilliant 10-year journey and the specific learning methods for overcoming each exam.
In this book, readers will find numerous "Togemaru-style" learning methods that can be imitated starting today, such as a vocabulary memorization technique utilizing "sensory stimulation" and "review cycles," the effective use of "content blocks" to facilitate speech and essay writing, and prompts for using AI as a dedicated tutor. Furthermore, it is packed with practical advice to accompany self-learners, such as how to overcome periods of stagnation and how to keep a "learning record" to maintain motivation.
The author states that "English learning is not a 'competition,' but 'mountain climbing'." It describes realistically the importance of continuing to learn on one's own terms, rather than trying to meet others' expectations, and the process of cultivating a global perspective through English and expanding life's options. This book is a learning record that illuminates the path for those who are about to start "climbing the English mountain" and for those who are currently paused halfway, strongly encouraging them with the message, "Now it's your turn."
■Table of Contents
Chapter 1: In Place of a Preface - Why I Learn English
Chapter 2: Climbing the Mountain of TOEIC® L&R Test 800 Points
Chapter 3: Climbing the Mountain of TOEIC® L&R Test 990 Points
Chapter 4: Climbing the Mountain of Eiken® Grade 1
Chapter 5: Climbing the Mountain of UN English Proficiency Test Special A Grade
Chapter 6: Climbing the Mountain of IELTS®
Chapter 7: Climbing the Mountain of Cambridge English Exam
Final Chapter: In Place of an Afterword - The Path of Effort Opens Up the Future
Columns
Before Starting to "Climb the English Mountain"
Ultimately, "Learning Volume" is Important
Ingenuity for Habit Formation
Three Review Steps to Make Reading Skills "Genuine"
Current Learning Routine
The Good and Bad of the Internet
A Compass for Walking in Information "Blank Zones" - Utilizing Blogs of Predecessors
＜Product Information＞
【Title】"Climbing the English Mountain"
【URL】www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4757442815
【Price】1,980 yen (tax included)
【Size】Shishiro-ban (188×127), 240 pages
【ISBN Code】978-4-7574-4281-8
【Release Date】April 27, 2026
【Author】Togemaru (Kei Wada)
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1995. English cram school instructor. Graduated from Chuo University, Faculty of Letters. Experienced being on the verge of social withdrawal due to interpersonal setbacks during university, but inspired by a psychological counselor's words, he embarked on English learning. After 10 years of self-study, he conquered numerous difficult English language proficiency tests, including a perfect score of 990 on the TOEIC L&R test, Eiken Grade 1 (Eiken Encouragement Award recipient / top 1% pass rate), UN English Proficiency Test Special A Grade, IELTS 7.5, and Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE). Currently, he teaches English to high school students and working adults at "University Entrance Exam TG" and "TG Foreign Language Academy" in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. On X (@KTogemaru) and note (@united_togemaru), he shares daily learning records and practical learning methods, gaining support from many learners.