AI Tutors Transform English Learning... Education Industry Sees Spread of Personal Study

An Era of One-on-One English Education with AI Tutors
Korean AI Tutor Market Expected to Grow at an Average Annual Rate of 34.7%

The "Personal Study" trend is sweeping through the education industry. Just as the "personal color" trend, which refers to one's unique style, has taken root in the beauty and fashion sectors, there is now a growing demand in the learning field for methods tailored to individual needs. In addition, the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made it possible to analyze and supplement learners' levels and study habits, leading to the rapid spread of personalized learning that incorporates AI tutoring. This change is especially pronounced in the English education market.

According to the industry on December 4, education companies are rapidly introducing customized AI-based learning services to meet the demand for personal study. SocraAI, an AI edtech company, recently launched the "Real Speaking" all-in-one package. Real Speaking is an online speaking program that allows learners to freely converse 24/7 with AI tutors modeled after 50 native speakers. After each session, an AI analysis report is provided, detailing vocabulary count, accuracy, and improvement in responses.

YBMnet has enhanced its existing AI-based phone and video English program, "YBM Phone & Video English," by adding the AI tutor feature "AI Y Buddy" to strengthen its repetitive learning function. Professional instructors with TESOL certification guide learners in pronunciation correction during lessons, and after class, learners can repeatedly review native speaker pronunciation. This combination has produced tangible results. A YBMnet representative stated, "Since the launch of AI Y Buddy in the second half of last year, the number of students enrolled in YBM Phone & Video English in the first half of this year increased by nearly 10% compared to the same period last year."

Weverse Brain's AI tutor-based one-on-one video English service "MAXAI," launched last year, is also expanding its market presence, with the cumulative number of members as of November rising 445% year-on-year. On November 27, the company introduced a new free-talking feature for beginners, "Wangchobo Mate (MATE)," to MAXAI. This feature allows beginners to converse with the AI tutor using a mix of Korean and English, lowering the entry barrier and enabling learners to naturally follow along in speaking, according to the company.

Personal study is characterized by allowing learners to freely adjust their study flow according to their individual goals, schedules, and learning methods, rather than following a fixed, standardized curriculum. With the addition of AI-based features such as pronunciation correction, repetitive practice, and real-time feedback, the center of gravity in the English education market is shifting toward "customized AI learning." An edtech company representative commented, "Recently, English learning programs are moving toward methods that can be used anytime and anywhere," adding, "The growth of the AI-based edtech industry is also influencing this trend."

The market outlook is bright. According to global market research firm Grand View Research, the Korean AI tutor market was valued at 21.4 million dollars (31.4 billion won) last year, and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 34.7% over the next six years, reaching 127.4 million dollars (187 billion won) by 2030.