Survey Finds Nearly 60% of English Learners Have Given Up Midway. What Are the Reasons for Quitting?

■ Why is it so hard to continue studying English? From school days to working life, learning English is a familiar theme for many people. Many may have started learning for qualifications, work, or out of a desire to "be able to speak it someday." However, continuing is much harder than one might imagine. There are various obstacles, such as changes in work or life, and the feeling of not improving as expected. In reality, how many of those who have attempted to study English have given up midway? Therefore, in collaboration with the online English conversation coaching school 'Money English,' we conducted a survey on the "experience of giving up on English/English conversation studies" targeting 177 men and women nationwide who had previously indicated experience in learning English or English conversation. *When citing the contents of this press release, please adhere to the following: - State that the source is a "survey by NEXER Inc. and Money English." - Include a link to Money English (https://money-english.com). "Survey on the Experience of Giving Up on English/English Conversation Studies" Overview Survey Method: Online questionnaire Survey Period: May 15, 2026 - May 19, 2026 Survey Target: Men and women nationwide who answered in a preliminary survey that they have experience learning English or English conversation. Valid Responses: 177 samples Questions: Q1: What was your reason for starting to learn English or English conversation? Q2: Have you ever given up midway through your studies? Q3: Please tell us the reason for quitting. Q4: After quitting, did you start learning again? Q5: Please tell us the reason why. Q6: Do you feel like you want to learn English again? Q7: Please tell us the reason why. *As figures are generally rounded to the first decimal place, the total may not equal 100%. ■ 26.6% cited "exams/qualifications" as their reason for starting First, we asked about the reasons for starting to learn English or English conversation. The most common reason was "exams/qualifications" at 26.6%. This was followed by "needed for work" at 18.1% and "admiration for English/English conversation" at 17.5%. In addition to "external motivations" like academic goals and work necessities, a significant number of people started with a positive feeling of "admiration." While the reasons vary, it is clear that people start with some kind of purpose. ■ 59.9% have experienced giving up midway Next, we asked if they had ever given up while studying English or English conversation. The results showed that 59.9% answered "yes," while 40.1% answered "no." This reveals that about 60% have experienced quitting English studies midway. It seems that even if one tries to learn English, continuing is not easy. So, why did they give up midway? We also asked for the reasons for quitting, and here are some of them. Reasons for quitting: - "I was too busy to continue." (Female, 20s) - "When too many difficult words came up and I couldn't memorize them all." (Female, 30s) - "Because I don't get the TOEIC score I want, and I sometimes question if there's any point in doing it." (Male, 40s) - "I just couldn't make it a habit." (Male, 40s) - "I was the only one who failed the class promotion test." (Male, 50s) - "My goals were vague, so I couldn't maintain my motivation." (Male, 50s) Responses like "I was too busy to continue" and "I couldn't make it a habit" pointed to the difficulty of securing study time and maintaining consistency. Others indicated that a lack of tangible results, such as being unable to memorize vocabulary or improve TOEIC scores, led to quitting. To continue learning English, it seems that not only the amount of study but also how goals are set and how motivation is maintained are important. ■ 76.4% have "not started learning again" after quitting Next, we asked if they had started learning again after giving up on their English studies. The results showed that 76.4% answered they have "not started learning again." On the other hand, only 23.6% had "started learning again," indicating that once a person steps away from English studies, there is a significant hurdle to starting again. We also asked for their reasons, and here are some of them. Those who "started learning again": - "Because I didn't want to give up." (Female, 20s) - "Recently, my desire to watch foreign movies and dramas that can only be seen in English has grown stronger." (Female, 30s) - "Because studying English is fun." (Male, 50s) Those who have "not started learning again": - "I moved and my family environment changed, and it just stayed that way." (Female, 30s) - "Because I thought it was impossible for me." (Male, 40s) - "Because there was no trigger." (Female, 50s) From those who started learning again, we saw positive comments like "I didn't want to give up" and "studying English is fun." For others, specific goals like wanting to enjoy foreign movies and dramas served as a trigger to restart. On the other hand, those who haven't started again cited reasons like "I thought it was impossible for me" and "there was no trigger." Whether one can restart English studies seems to depend not only on academic ability but also on having a purpose or timing that makes them want to start again. ■ 32.1% have "no desire at all" to learn again Next, we asked those who had "not started learning again" if they had any desire to learn English again. The results showed that 11.1% said "very much" and 21.0% said "somewhat," for a total of 32.1% who have a desire to learn English again. On the other hand, 35.8% said "not really" and 32.1% said "not at all," for a total of 67.9% who are reluctant to restart their studies. We also asked for their reasons, and here are some of them. Reasons for wanting to learn English again: - "Because I want to be able to speak it. For my children." (Female, 30s) - "I want to travel abroad." (Female, 30s) - "I want to use English for overseas travel and daily conversation." (Male, 40s) - "Because I think it would be nice to be able to talk to foreigners." (Female, 50s) - "It's fun to listen to Western music and understand what they're saying." (Male, 60s) Reasons for not wanting to learn English again: - "Because it's tiring." (Female, 30s) - "Because it's a hassle." (Male, 30s) - "I don't think it's a necessary skill right now." (Female, 40s) - "Because there are translation tools, and it's not necessary unless I go abroad." (Female, 50s) - "I don't have time." (Female, 40s) Reasons for wanting to learn again often included scenarios of using English for enjoyment, such as "wanting to travel abroad," "wanting to talk to foreigners," and "wanting to understand Western music." It seems that goals related to hobbies and daily enjoyment, not just for qualifications or work, generate a positive attitude toward restarting studies. On the other hand, reasons for not wanting to learn were dominated by feelings of burden, such as "tiring," "a hassle," and "no time." Additionally, some people seem to feel less need to learn English due to the prevalence of translation tools. ■ Summary This survey found that about 60% of those with experience in learning English have given up midway. The reasons cited included "not having enough time," "difficulty seeing results," and "inability to maintain motivation," highlighting the difficulty of continuing English studies. Those who are considering learning again cited specific goals such as "wanting to travel abroad," "wanting to enjoy movies and music more," and "wanting to talk to foreigners." To continue learning English, it seems important to have goals that one finds enjoyable and necessary. To restart learning without strain amidst a busy life, considering options like online learning that utilizes spare moments or coaching services that provide support tailored to one's goals might be a good approach. - Please state that the source is a "survey by NEXER Inc. and Money English." - Please include a link to Money English (https://money-english.com). 【About Money English】 Company Name: NALU Inc. Address: 3-15-9 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 TEL: 03-6384-5875 URL: https://money-english.com 【About NEXER Inc.】 Head Office: 11F Rise Arena Building, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013 Representative Director: Yuya Miyata URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp Business Content: SEO, Web Branding, Web Advertising, Website Production, Media