Over 70% Desire for Overseas Travel During Max 12-Day Golden Week Despite Economic Headwinds; Anxiety Over 'Impromptu English' Surfaces. Over Half of Language Input-Focused Learners Lack Confidence to Respond Within 3 Seconds - What is Prof. Hideo Mori's 'English Freeze Phenomenon' Causing Stumbling While Traveling?

AI English conversation service "Speak" (operated by Speak Japan LLC) conducted the "Blank Mind 'English Freeze Phenomenon' Reality Survey" in anticipation of the 2026 Golden Week (GW) holidays, which offer a maximum of 12 consecutive days off. The survey was supervised by Hideo Mori, Professor at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Reitaku University, and involved 536 participants who have experience learning English and traveling abroad (136 individuals with output-focused English habits / 400 individuals focusing on English input).

The survey revealed that while translation apps and similar technologies have lowered the "English barrier" for overseas travel, a significant challenge has emerged: nearly half of those focusing on English input lack confidence in responding within 3 seconds during actual travel situations. This state, where one understands the meaning but cannot immediately articulate words, is termed the 'English Freeze Phenomenon' by Professor Mori. Daily output practice encourages the "automation" of English knowledge, enabling its use without conscious thought, and the joy of speaking in one's own words leads to 2.2 times greater travel satisfaction compared to using translation apps.

[Survey Summary]

- ① [Travel Intent] Despite headwinds from a weak yen and rising prices, 73.2% of English learners have a 'desire to travel abroad' this GW. - ② [Confidence Gap] A 2.4x disparity in anxiety about 'not being able to speak English' when considering travel. 66.2% of those with output habits feel 'anxious but can manage.' - ③ [Freeze Phenomenon] Even with knowledge equivalent to high school graduation, nearly half lack confidence to respond within 3 seconds. Over 80% of input-focused learners are bound by perfectionism. - ④ [Joy of Self-Expression] The proportion of those who answered that the satisfaction of 'conveying something in my own words' was 'overwhelmingly higher than with translation apps' was 2.2 times greater for English output habit individuals than for input-focused individuals. - ⑤ [Learning Effect] Transform English knowledge into 'usable skills' through speaking practice with AI. 92.7% of continuous 'Speak' learners realize its effectiveness!

[Survey Background]

This survey was conducted with the following two backgrounds in mind:

### Background ①: Enthusiasm for Overseas Travel Amidst Weak Yen and Unstable Conditions, and the Change in the "English Barrier" Due to Translation App Popularity

While the upcoming GW in 2026, with its maximum of 12 consecutive holidays, heightens expectations for overseas travel, the weak yen and unstable international situations continue. Furthermore, with the widespread use of translation apps and similar technologies, the "English barrier" is becoming lower. Against this backdrop, what challenges remain in actual English conversation situations? By clarifying this reality, we aim to provide English learning guidelines for more satisfying overseas travel.

### Background ②: Elucidating the 'English Freeze Phenomenon'—Knowing the Knowledge but Unable to Speak—and Proposing the Joy of Speaking in One's Own Words

Speak aims to solve the problem many Japanese people face: "I know the words and grammar, but I can't recall them instantly." This press release terms the state of stumbling in actual situations the 'English Freeze Phenomenon' and visualizes the difference in response speed based on learning styles. By proposing effective learning methods, we aim to foster the joy of speaking in one's own words.

[Survey Overview]

Survey Name: Blank Mind 'English Freeze Phenomenon' Reality Survey

Target Audience: English Output Habit Individuals (Men and women aged 20-60 nationwide, n=136) English Input-Focused Individuals (Men and women aged 20-50 nationwide, n=400)

Survey Method: English Output Habit Individuals - Speak users who have been learning English conversation for over 1 year. English Input-Focused Individuals - Internet survey.

Survey Period: March 23-27, 2026

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Over 70% Travel Intent Defying Yen Weakness and Price Hikes. Over 80% Perceive a Lowered "English Barrier" Due to the Popularity of Translation Apps

- Despite concerns such as soaring prices, a weak yen, and unstable conditions, English learners' interest in overseas travel is extremely high. Those who responded 'want to go' (very much want to go + want to go) for this year's GW overseas travel reached 73.2%.

- The popularity of AI and translation apps has made people feel that the "English barrier" for overseas travel is lower than before. This sentiment is felt by 75.8% of those with English output habits and 82.6% of those focusing on English input, indicating a reduction in psychological hurdles.

The "Inability to Speak English" Anxiety Hindering Overseas Travel Consideration. A 2.4x Gap in Anxiety Factors Based on Learning Style

- When considering overseas travel, 59.9% of those focusing on English input (n=197 *1) cited 'not being able to speak English' as an anxiety factor (biggest anxiety factor + quite anxious factor).

- On the other hand, this anxiety factor was reported by only 24.7% of those with English output habits (n=77 *2), revealing a significant confidence gap of approximately 2.4 times between the two groups.