AI English Conversation App 'SpeakBuddy' Launches New 'Business Basics' Lessons for Beginners to Master Essential Practical Phrases

SpeakBuddy Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takeshi Tateishi; hereinafter 'the Company') has announced the launch of 'Business Basics,' a new lesson content series for its AI-powered English conversation app, 'AI English Conversation SpeakBuddy,' designed to teach essential phrases for business settings.

By offering this new content, which serves as a precursor to our existing entry-level business curriculum, we aim to support those who have previously hesitated to learn business English due to the perception that it is 'too difficult,' helping them acquire practical expressions they can use with confidence in their work. ■ Background: Company Survey on the 'Psychological Hurdles' and 'Practical Gaps' in Business English ・88% feel 'Business English is difficult,' driven by the assumption that it requires advanced proficiency In a survey conducted by the company in March 2026, targeting 1,370 working professionals interested in learning business English, 88.8% of respondents felt that business English is difficult (the sum of 'very difficult' and 'somewhat difficult'). The top reasons cited for this difficulty included: ・'I think I need to use difficult vocabulary and technical terms' (43.9%) ・'I think I must understand what the other person says on the first try' (39.6%) ・'I think I cannot work unless I can speak fluently' (38.7%) These results highlight a deep-seated image that business English is inaccessible without high-level proficiency. ・Meanwhile, 61% of those who use English at work are at an 'Introductory to Beginner' level Conversely, when examining the proficiency distribution of 920 respondents who use English in their daily work (several times a month or more), 61% were at an 'Introductory to Beginner' level...