Graduate from “Cannot Speak English” with AI English Conversation App “Speak” This Year! Major Winter Update Implemented for “Speak Without Hesitation, Immediately.” Supporting the New Challenge of “English Conversation 0 Years Old” Starting from Zero Speaking Experience, with Up to 2.4 Months Free.

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Speak App Launches Major Winter Update and New Year Campaign to Empower English Learners

AI英会話アプリ「Speak」のプロモーション画像。

Speak Japan LLC has announced a significant winter update for its AI English conversation app, “Speak.” This update is designed to empower all learners to achieve their goal of speaking English in 2026. To mark this occasion, a new TV commercial began airing on January 1st, alongside the launch of a limited-time “New Year Discount Campaign,” offering up to 2.4 months of free access, equivalent to a maximum discount of 6,000 yen.

The major update focuses on delivering a personalized learning experience, from the user interface to lesson content. This approach aims to allow learners to fully engage in speaking practice without the burden of past learning experiences or the pressure to speak perfectly.

Background of the Winter Major Update

Many individuals who have studied English still find themselves unable to speak fluently. A survey conducted by Speak revealed that successful English learners engaged in “speaking aloud practice” approximately three times more frequently than those who did not. This suggests that the inability to speak, despite having knowledge, often stems from a lack of actual speaking experience. The “Speak” app has evolved to transform all “hesitation time” into “speaking time,” providing an environment where users can practice speaking with AI in a comfortable setting.

New CM Information

A new TV commercial for “Speak” premiered on January 1st. Viewers are invited to see individuals embarking on their “English Conversation 0 Years Old” journey. The commercials are available on YouTube:

Further details about the campaign can be found on the special campaign page: https://www.speak.com/jp/campaign/2026-jan

What is “English Conversation 0 Years Old”?

“English Conversation 0 Years Old” is a concept introduced by Speak that prioritizes the actual “time spent speaking” over one’s English proficiency level. It draws an analogy to how babies learn their first language: no one speaks perfectly from the start. They make mistakes, hesitate, and gradually learn to speak. This state of “zero speaking experience” is referred to as “0 years old,” and Speak is committed to fully supporting those who bravely take on this challenge. With an AI partner, making mistakes or experiencing silence is perfectly acceptable, encouraging users to begin their English conversation journey without fear.

Winter Major Update Details

The latest update introduces three enhanced features designed to make learning “more enjoyable, more natural, and easier to continue,” adapting to each user’s feelings and pace.

1. Evolved Roleplay with AI Characters

英語学習アプリ「Speak」のキャラクターモードを紹介する画像です。

The app has transitioned from chat-like interactions to a “Character Mode,” allowing users to directly converse with AI characters. This provides a more immersive and realistic conversation experience, encouraging users to focus on speaking aloud as if communicating with a real person. If a user struggles to find the right words, the AI understands their intent and provides feedback to guide them toward more natural expressions, creating a relaxed practice environment akin to speaking with a close friend.

2. New Home Screen

Speakアプリの新しいホーム画面を示す画像。

The home screen has been redesigned for immediate and intuitive use. Upon opening the app, users can instantly see their current learning progress, suggested next steps, and accumulated achievements, eliminating the need to ponder “what should I do today?” This update embodies Speak’s philosophy of converting “hesitation time” into “speaking time,” offering a highly personalized experience where the AI gently guides each user’s next step.

3. Personalized Lessons Tailored to Your Words

「Speak」という英語学習アプリの画面遷移を示しており、ユーザーの返答（ゲーム業界でプログラマーでした）に基づいて「プログラマー紹介」という専用レッスンが生成され、発話練習を行う様子が描かれています。

Instead of following predefined scripts, the AI transforms what users “truly want to talk about” into personalized lessons. When a user responds to an AI’s question, new practice sessions and roleplays are generated on the spot based on their answers, creating a unique lesson tailored specifically for them. This seamless flow of “learn, practice, use” helps newly acquired English become “actually usable words” that stick with the user.

New Year Discount Campaign Overview

Campaign Special Page: https://www.speak.com/jp/campaign/2026-jan

Campaign Period: January 1, 2026 (Thursday) – January 12, 2026 (Monday)

Eligible Plans: Premium, Premium Plus

Campaign Details:

  1. Up to 6,000 Yen Discount: New registrations or plan selections made through the campaign special page will receive a discount of up to 6,000 yen from the regular price.

    • Premium Plus: Normally 29,800 yen/year → 23,800 yen/year

    • Premium: Normally 19,800 yen/year → 17,800 yen/year

  2. 7-Day Free Trial: First-time users are eligible for a 7-day free trial. This can be combined with the discount for both benefits.

Notes:

  • The discount is applicable only to applications made through the campaign special page. Applications via the app will be at the regular price.

  • The discounted price applies only to the first year; regular prices will apply from the second year onwards.

  • Monthly payment plans are not eligible for the discount.

  • The 7-day free trial is available only to users who have not previously used a free trial. This free trial offer will continue to be available after January 13 (Tuesday).

About AI English Conversation “Speak”

英語学習アプリの複数の画面。

AI English Conversation “Speak” is an English learning app utilizing various AI technologies, including automatic speech recognition, to provide conversation-focused English lessons. As the speaking partner is AI, users do not need to worry about their English level or making mistakes, allowing for more relaxed English conversation practice compared to typical English schools or online lessons. Since its launch in Japan in 2022, the app has experienced rapid growth and has become a leading educational app in the country.

Service Features

The app is designed to help users “become able to speak” solely through the app. Speak’s goal is to develop “communication skills” in English, rather than just memorizing grammar and vocabulary.

  • Speaking-Focused Learning for Increased Output: Emphasizes increasing the volume of spoken English, providing an unprecedented learning experience through speaking while learning.

  • Relaxed with AI Partner; Mistakes Lead to Strength: Conversation with AI eliminates tension. Optimized lessons are automatically generated from weaknesses and mistakes, turning errors into growth opportunities.

  • Habit-Forming Lessons from 5 Minutes a Day: Lessons can be as short as 5 minutes, allowing users to gradually accustom themselves to speaking English daily and build a sustainable speaking habit.

Company Overview

  • Company Name: Speak Japan LLC

  • Japan General Manager: Yan Kindyushenko

  • Head Office: Shibuya Scramble Square 39F, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

  • URL: https://www.speak.com/jp

Company Milestones:

  • 2016: Speakeasy Labs, Inc. established

  • 2017: Secured funding from Y Combinator

  • 2018: “Speak” Korean version released

  • 2022 October: “Speak” Japanese soft launch

  • 2023 February: “Speak” Japanese official release

  • 2024 August: Japan entity established

  • 2024 December: Valuation reached 1 billion USD

  • 2025 February: “Speak for Business” officially launched

  • 2025 June: Japanese, Korean, Italian added as learnable languages for English speakers

Basic Information on AI English Conversation “Speak”

AI English Conversation “Speak” is developed by a partner of OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, and is equipped with cutting-edge AI technology. It utilizes the latest AI and speech recognition technology to provide essential feedback for speaking improvement, including unnatural expressions and grammatical errors. The speech recognition function is optimized for Japanese pronunciation, offering an experience akin to conversing with a real person.

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