Frequently Asked Questions

SPEAK by ei5 is a daily speaking practice program that takes about 10 minutes a day. You answer a question in English and record it, listen to native speaker examples, then answer again. After that you do short activities and receive feedback from an AI coach. It is made by the team that develops the ei5 tests.

You can try Days 1–3 without signing up; your recordings are not saved. With a free account, your first 5 days include every feature, and SPEAK stays free after that. Neither requires a credit card.

Nothing. After 5 days your account moves to the free plan, and the daily lessons keep going. If you want every feature, you can buy a 30-day or 90-day plan with a single payment (prices are on the SPEAK pricing page). Nothing renews automatically, and when a plan ends you are back on the free plan.

About 10 minutes a day. You can do it on your phone or computer in spare moments, such as before work or before bed.

SPEAK is a program for practicing speaking, while the ei5 tests assess your speaking. The AI feedback in SPEAK is for practice and is not an ei5 score or certificate. When you want to check your progress, take the free placement test or the ei5 Certified Test.

You need a phone or computer with a working microphone and an internet connection. Please allow microphone access in your browser so you can record.

The Full Test and Scholar Test are both reviewed by native English-speaking evaluators who listen to every audio response. The Scholar Test is designed mainly for students and classroom use, while the Full Test is intended for business professionals, serious learners, and anyone who wants a more official assessment.

If you achieve a passing score on the Full Test, you will receive an official ei5 certificate that can be shared with employers, schools, or organizations as proof of your result.

The Snapshot Test is fully AI-graded and provides an instant report. It is the fastest option for learners who want quick feedback on their current speaking level.

All three assessments provide a report in the same general format, including your speaking level, strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

The Full Test and Scholar Test offer more personalized feedback because your responses are reviewed by a human evaluator who listens to your full submission. Your report will explain what you did well, where you struggled, and what you should focus on next.

Each report also includes a growth plan with specific study recommendations, along with a 7-day practice plan designed around your weaknesses. This helps you understand exactly what to practice and how to improve your English speaking skills step by step.

The Ei5 test is conducted entirely online. You can take it anytime, anywhere with a microphone-enabled device and an internet connection. It includes a mix of question types: general questions, scenario-based questions, image description, reading, and listening questions, all adapted to your level. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes.

The Snapshot Test is graded instantly, so you receive your report right away. The Full Test and Scholar Test are reviewed by a human evaluator, so results are delivered within 3-5 business days. Your report includes a detailed analysis, individual scores across all five constructs, and personalized improvement advice, plus an official digital certificate when you pass the Full Test.

Ei5 combines "Ei" from "Eigo" (英語 - English in Japanese) and "5" representing the five constructs we created for evaluating English speaking proficiency. These five elements comprehensively assess your real-world communication skills.

The placement test is completely free. Beyond that, we offer three assessments: the Snapshot Test at ¥980, the Full Test at ¥2,250 for a limited time (50% off the regular ¥4,500), and the Scholar Test, which is priced based on your needs (contact us anytime and we will help you find the right fit).

For the Full Test and Scholar Test, your speaking is graded first by certified human evaluators. We also use AI-powered analysis to reduce bias when grading, keeping your results accurate and consistent.

Ei5 is perfect for anyone wanting to accurately assess their English communication skills, especially business professionals seeking career advancement, students planning to study abroad, learners tracking their progress, and those who feel traditional tests don't reflect their true abilities. We accommodate all levels from beginner to advanced.

Ei5 certificates have no expiration date. However, since language skills evolve with continuous use and learning, many organizations prefer results within 2 years. We recommend periodic retesting to track your progress, and we offer discounted rates for returning test-takers.

You need a stable internet connection, a microphone (built-in or external), and a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). You can take the test on smartphones, tablets, or computers. A free compatibility check tool is available to ensure your device meets all requirements before starting.

For the free placement test and Snapshot, your recorded audio is uploaded anonymously and is never tied to your identity. This audio may be used to improve our AI scoring and assessments.

For the ei5 Certified Test and Scholar, your audio is linked to you so we can deliver your results and, where applicable, issue a certificate. If anything ever goes wrong, we notify the test-taker right away. We do not use your audio for any other purpose.