Over 80% Still Consider 'English Learning Necessary' in the GenAI Era, While Over 70% Feel Anxious About 'AI English', Revealing New Challenges
A survey by IIBC reveals that while generative AI has lowered the psychological barrier to English, over 80% still believe learning English is necessary to judge the appropriateness of AI outputs and build interpersonal trust.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 03:17 (16h 45m after Collected)
The Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) (Location: Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo; President: Hiroatsu Fujisawa), which administers and operates the TOEIC® Program in Japan, conducted a survey on "The Reality and Awareness of English Communication Using Generative AI" targeting 1,032 men and women in their 20s to 50s who have utilized generative AI for English communication (translation, text creation, text comprehension, conversation assistance).
[Survey Results Summary]
(1) The psychological hurdle toward English has 'lowered' for about half due to Generative AI
Approximately half of the respondents realize that the hurdle for English communication has lowered. The penetration of generative AI is widening the gateway for utilizing English.
(2) Over 70% feel 'anxious about whether Generative AI's English is correctly conveyed'
When it comes to reasons for anxiety, many voiced concerns such as "Are the expressions and nuances appropriate?" and "Is it not offensive?" This highlights a new challenge in English communication utilizing generative AI.
(3) Over 80% realize that 'English learning is necessary even if Generative AI evolves'
Particularly in English communication, building trusting relationships through direct dialogue and understanding/judging detailed intentions are emphasized. Even in the generative AI era, over 80% feel the necessity of learning English.
(4) Diverse purposes for learning English in the AI era
With the psychological barrier to English lowered by generative AI, it appears the purposes for learning English have diversified beyond work and business to include daily life, self-improvement, supporting favorite idols/social media interactions, and overseas travel.
[Survey Overview]
- Survey Name: Survey on "The Reality and Awareness of English Communication Using Generative AI"
- Survey Period: Thursday, March 26, 2026 - Saturday, March 28, 2026
- Survey Method: Internet survey via PRIZMA (https://www.prizma-link.com/press)
- Number of Subjects: 1,032 people
- Target Audience: People in their 20s to 50s
- Survey Source: The Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) (https://www.iibc-global.org)
Due to the use of generative AI, the psychological barrier to English has decreased for about 1 in 2 people.
In response to the question, "Has your psychological hurdle toward English communication lowered by using generative AI?", about half of the respondents recognized a decrease, with 13.0% answering "Lowered significantly" and 35.8% answering "Lowered somewhat." Furthermore, looking at the percentage of people who felt the "psychological hurdle lowered" by English level (Advanced, Intermediate, Beginner*), it became clear that those with higher English proficiency felt the benefits of generative AI more: "Beginner: 46.1%", "Intermediate: 57.1%", and "Advanced: 63.0%".
Additionally, specific uses for generative AI include "Translating English text: 54.2%" and "Drafting English emails/business documents: 31.1%." As the daily use of generative AI increases, it suggests that English is being redefined as a more familiar presence.
*Those who selected one of the following for the question "Please tell us your self-evaluation of your current English proficiency": "Advanced (Daily conversation level or higher)", "Intermediate (Can read/write short English texts and handle simple English interactions)", "Beginner (Can understand the meaning of words and basic English texts to some extent, but finds it difficult to interact on their own)"
"Is it conveyed correctly?" Over 70% of generative AI users harbor anxiety about "AI English"
In response to the question, "Have you ever felt anxious about whether the English created or translated by generative AI is correctly conveyed to the other party?", 71.3% answered "Yes," revealing that many people feel some form of anxiety regarding English output by generative AI. Furthermore, the majority of the specific reasons were "Cannot judge for oneself whether the English expressions and nuances are appropriate and natural" and "Anxious about whether it sounds offensive."
While convenience has increased with the spread of generative AI, a new challenge has emerged: "anxiety about using English output by generative AI."
Even in the generative AI era, over 80% answer "English learning is necessary." The key going forward is the judgment to assess "AI English" and English proficiency for direct communication.
In response to the question, "Do you think humans still need to learn English even as generative AI evolves?", a total of 84.8% felt the necessity of English learning, combining "Strongly agree: 28.7%" and "Somewhat agree: 56.1%." This result indicates that English learning will not become unnecessary in the generative AI era; rather, one's own English skills are essential for communication to build trusting relationships and for judging whether the English output by generative AI is appropriate.
[Survey Results Summary]
(1) The psychological hurdle toward English has 'lowered' for about half due to Generative AI
Approximately half of the respondents realize that the hurdle for English communication has lowered. The penetration of generative AI is widening the gateway for utilizing English.
(2) Over 70% feel 'anxious about whether Generative AI's English is correctly conveyed'
When it comes to reasons for anxiety, many voiced concerns such as "Are the expressions and nuances appropriate?" and "Is it not offensive?" This highlights a new challenge in English communication utilizing generative AI.
(3) Over 80% realize that 'English learning is necessary even if Generative AI evolves'
Particularly in English communication, building trusting relationships through direct dialogue and understanding/judging detailed intentions are emphasized. Even in the generative AI era, over 80% feel the necessity of learning English.
(4) Diverse purposes for learning English in the AI era
With the psychological barrier to English lowered by generative AI, it appears the purposes for learning English have diversified beyond work and business to include daily life, self-improvement, supporting favorite idols/social media interactions, and overseas travel.
[Survey Overview]
- Survey Name: Survey on "The Reality and Awareness of English Communication Using Generative AI"
- Survey Period: Thursday, March 26, 2026 - Saturday, March 28, 2026
- Survey Method: Internet survey via PRIZMA (https://www.prizma-link.com/press)
- Number of Subjects: 1,032 people
- Target Audience: People in their 20s to 50s
- Survey Source: The Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) (https://www.iibc-global.org)
Due to the use of generative AI, the psychological barrier to English has decreased for about 1 in 2 people.
In response to the question, "Has your psychological hurdle toward English communication lowered by using generative AI?", about half of the respondents recognized a decrease, with 13.0% answering "Lowered significantly" and 35.8% answering "Lowered somewhat." Furthermore, looking at the percentage of people who felt the "psychological hurdle lowered" by English level (Advanced, Intermediate, Beginner*), it became clear that those with higher English proficiency felt the benefits of generative AI more: "Beginner: 46.1%", "Intermediate: 57.1%", and "Advanced: 63.0%".
Additionally, specific uses for generative AI include "Translating English text: 54.2%" and "Drafting English emails/business documents: 31.1%." As the daily use of generative AI increases, it suggests that English is being redefined as a more familiar presence.
*Those who selected one of the following for the question "Please tell us your self-evaluation of your current English proficiency": "Advanced (Daily conversation level or higher)", "Intermediate (Can read/write short English texts and handle simple English interactions)", "Beginner (Can understand the meaning of words and basic English texts to some extent, but finds it difficult to interact on their own)"
"Is it conveyed correctly?" Over 70% of generative AI users harbor anxiety about "AI English"
In response to the question, "Have you ever felt anxious about whether the English created or translated by generative AI is correctly conveyed to the other party?", 71.3% answered "Yes," revealing that many people feel some form of anxiety regarding English output by generative AI. Furthermore, the majority of the specific reasons were "Cannot judge for oneself whether the English expressions and nuances are appropriate and natural" and "Anxious about whether it sounds offensive."
While convenience has increased with the spread of generative AI, a new challenge has emerged: "anxiety about using English output by generative AI."
Even in the generative AI era, over 80% answer "English learning is necessary." The key going forward is the judgment to assess "AI English" and English proficiency for direct communication.
In response to the question, "Do you think humans still need to learn English even as generative AI evolves?", a total of 84.8% felt the necessity of English learning, combining "Strongly agree: 28.7%" and "Somewhat agree: 56.1%." This result indicates that English learning will not become unnecessary in the generative AI era; rather, one's own English skills are essential for communication to build trusting relationships and for judging whether the English output by generative AI is appropriate.