Seishiro Kato and Shinobu Hasegawa Launch TOEIC Speaking Initiative
Actor Seishiro Kato and Shinobu Hasegawa of the comedy duo Sissonne took the stage on October 19 to launch the “Take a Lighter Step in Speaking English” project, coinciding with TOEIC Day. Kato, who spent three years studying at a high school in the United Kingdom, recently took the TOEIC Speaking Test for the first time.
Kato opened the presentation by greeting the audience in fluent English, saying, “Thank you very much for coming today. Let’s enjoy this time!” His opening remarks drew applause from the venue. Reflecting on his time living abroad, Kato noted that he experienced language barriers initially but found reassurance by listening to people on the street and in shops. He observed that everyday speakers do not use flawless grammar and often repeat themselves while still successfully communicating, which eased his own anxiety about making mistakes.
Hasegawa, who describes himself as struggling with English, offered a contrasting perspective on dealing with everyday interactions. With the high volume of inbound tourists, Hasegawa explained that being asked for directions is a common occurrence. When stopped by visitors, he admitted that he defaults to saying “Follow me!” for inquiries requiring less than five minutes of travel, or telling them to “Go straight!” before running away if a trip would take 10 minutes.
Turning to his recent language testing experience, Kato described preparing for the TOEIC Speaking Test with the TOEIC Pal app. He praised the software’s AI-driven listening exercises, which transcribe user speech and provide immediate feedback on pronunciation, calling the study process surprisingly entertaining. Kato urged the public to approach English with a relaxed attitude, expressing a desire to actively incorporate the language into his own daily activities.
Questions About the TOEIC Speaking Initiative
How did Seishiro Kato prepare for his first TOEIC Speaking Test?
Kato studied for the exam using the TOEIC Pal mobile application. He utilized the app’s AI-powered listening and speaking tools, which transcribe user speech and provide immediate pronunciation feedback.
What event prompted the project launch?
The project, titled “Take a Lighter Step in Speaking English,” debuted on October 19 to mark TOEIC Day. Actor Seishiro Kato and Shinobu Hasegawa appeared at the launch event to discuss language learning and daily communication challenges.
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