Empowering Japanese people to convey their thoughts in English and fulfill their dreams. This is the dream of 'Best Teacher'.

Best Teacher Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Toshiro Takamiya), the operator of the 'Write and Speak' online English conversation service 'Best Teacher,' supports 'April Dream,' a day for sharing dreams on April 1st. This press release outlines the dream of 'Best Teacher.'

## Wanting to be more 'authentic' even in English. Increasing the number of Japanese people with this desire.
'I want to be able to work abroad, but I lack the confidence to speak in my own words.'
'If only I could express my thoughts and feelings better in English, I could go so much further.'
While many Japanese people harbor such feelings, Japan's English proficiency still faces many challenges.

In the latest English Proficiency Index (EF EPI 2025) released by EF Education First, Japan ranked 96th out of 123 countries and regions, and 18th out of 25 in Asia, categorized as 'Very Low' proficiency. Furthermore, the average overall score for Japanese IELTS (Academic) test-takers is 5.8 out of 9.0, with speaking at 5.5 and writing at 5.7, highlighting significant issues in output—expressing one's own thoughts and ideas. The average TOEFL iBT score (2024) for Japanese test-takers was 72, a significant gap compared to the global average of 86.

However, the issue isn't just scores. Japanese people have overwhelmingly few experiences of actually 'conveying their thoughts in English.' Instead of just memorizing prepared phrases, we believe that using English with your own words and feelings will transform it into a tool for self-expression.

### Our thoughts on the idea that 'If AI can translate, there's no need to learn English.'
With the rapid evolution of Generative AI, real-time translation and interpretation accuracy have improved dramatically, leading to the growing view that AI might replace the need to speak English ourselves. Studies (e.g., Frey & Llanos-Paredes, 2025) have shown that the spread of machine translation is decreasing the demand for language skills generally.

However, we face this question head-on with this thought: AI can 'convert words,' but only you have 'what you want to convey.' When telling a dream, expressing gratitude, or asserting your position in a debate—what you need is not a translation tool, but the power to shape your thoughts in English.

While AI can certainly be used to make English learning more efficient, some research suggests that students who over-rely on AI see a decline in writing quality regarding grammatical accuracy and sentence structure. AI should be positioned as a 'support tool,' not a replacement for deep language acquisition.

Precisely because we are in the AI era, the value of a person who can speak their thoughts in English stands out. Increasing the number of Japanese people who fulfill their dreams through English—that is the dream of us at Best Teacher.

## English changes when you start by writing 'what you want to convey.'
Best Teacher's lessons begin with 'first writing what you want to convey in English using your own words.' Instead of following fixed phrases, you express your daily activities and emotions in your own English. You refine those words with corrections from foreign instructors and then speak them aloud in speaking lessons. This cycle gradually builds 'confidence in expressing oneself in English.'

One student, Y.K., started learning because they wanted to communicate in their own words and handle troubles during travel themselves, despite having a complex about English since student days. Y.K. says, 'Through the cycle of writing and speaking, I became conscious of the essence that you can't speak if you can't write.' For Y.K., English has turned into a 'daily joy,' with a goal of helping others through English in volunteer activities and international exchange.

### The 'power to convey thoughts in English' turns life dreams into reality.
Many students use English not just as a tool to pass exams, but as a power to open the door to their dreams.

N.F., a medical student, started preparing for Eiken Grade 1 from a state of 'not being used to English communication at all.' By using the writing process as 'scriptwriting' for speaking lessons, N.F. built the ability to output thoughts from scratch and passed Eiken Grade 1. Looking ahead, N.F.'s dream is to 'work as a doctor outside of Japan in the future.' The power of English has made that dream's outline vivid.

A.T., who dreams of studying in Northern Europe and supporting education, practiced 'conveying opinions firmly to instructors' in the limited time of one month before applications. By deepening the lessons by connecting them to social issues rather than learning superficially, A.T. achieved an overall score of 6.5 in the first IELTS attempt, opening the door to study abroad. The practice of conveying thoughts on complex topics in English led to breaking through the exam.

## 'Expressive power in English' becomes the power to break through exam walls.
In 4-skill English exams like IELTS, TOEFL, and Eiken, which are required at life's crossroads such as study abroad, university entrance, and job hunting, 'the power to logically convey one's thoughts in English' is becoming increasingly important.

Best Teacher provides learning content corresponding to the latest exam formats in collaboration with IDP Education (co-operator of IELTS) and ETS Japan (TOEFL Japan office). By providing guidance based on 'the power to convey one's thoughts in English' in speaking and writing—areas difficult to master through self-study—many students have achieved their target scores and passed their exams.

Best Teacher will continue to increase the number of Japanese people for whom English exams are not a 'wall to give up on dreams,' but 'proof to fulfill dreams.'

## 2026 Spring Campaign
In conjunction with expressing our dream through April Dream, we are holding the '2026 Spring Campaign' to support everyone taking their first step toward conveying their thoughts in English.

### ■ Campaign Details
By registering for a paid membership, you will receive a coupon code for 5,500 yen cashback off the monthly fee (for one month). Furthermore, by continuing for the second and third months, you get 5,500 yen cashback each month. You can save a total of up to 16,500 yen.

### ■ Campaign Period
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – Sunday, April 26, 2026

Please check the campaign special page for details.