We've all got bills to pay! So how can you learn English for free online? Or by self-study? I've been researching the best online tools, and today I'm gonna share those with you to help you learn English without paying anything or signing up for anything! It doesn't matter what your reason for learning English is, if you're a beginner or just in need of nailing your best British accent.
Can I learn English online for free?
Umm... Absolutely! There are TONS of paid apps, paywalls to sites, and expensive English courses. But there are also TONS of amazing free resources available for learning English online. Websites like Breaking News English, BBC Learning English, and YouTube channels such as the best English teacher, Aly from "Learn English with Papa Teach Me" offer comprehensive lessons in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. You can also find free eBooks, podcasts, and language exchange communities where you can practice speaking with native speakers. So have a look at the options and see which one woks best for you.
Which is the best online platform to learn English?
There isn't a "best" platform to learn English, there's only "best for YOU". So choosing the best online platform for you really depends on your learning style and goals. Here are a few top-rated platforms based on what I've personally tested:
Breaking News English: (Study material - Vocabulary) For me as a teacher, Breaking News English has saved me so many times for last-minute lesson planning when I'm called to cover someone's class last-minute! But you as a student should definitely start using it for your own self-study! They take a piece of news from the week, and make a whole lesson on it. A great way to learn new vocabulary using current events! The regularly updated materials are free. You can find paid materials there, too, however the current materials have any kind of paywall as far as I know! I will say though, if you can support them, please feel free! I don't know the owner of the site but if you ever read this blog, just.. thank you from the bottom of my heart for the countless times you've saved me!
HiNative: (Language exchange and speaking practice app) I've done sponsored videos for this app in the past and thought it was fine at the time. However, (and I swear they're not paying me to say anything here this time!) I started using it again recently because some people told me about live-streaming on this platform. It's a way more friendly and cosy vibe than streaming, say, on Instagram or YouTube. You meet the same friendly people and can't help but come back because you genuinely like to interact with these people! The app invites pretty much all users to stream, and you're encouraged to interact with people while practising your English. Again it's completely free to use, you have an option to donate to streamers you like, but that's up to you.
YouTube: (Grammar, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, and English skills for exams, listen and repeat) English learning channels like "Learn English with Papa Teach Me" (Zero bias here, right?) are perfect for studying at home, in class, or with a friend completely for free! This is perfect for studying how English works, but also it's important to follow "normal" English-speaking channels which focus on a particular topic you personally are really interested in. I've said it before, I'll say it again, you're only going to learn with materials you enjoy! So find some English-speaking YouTubers who make videos on niche, geeky, or specific topics that you're interested in, turn the subtitles on, and get studying! Bonus points if the channel features more than one person and they're talking in a conversational style!
Cake App: (An English learning app) I did a video reviewing them recently so I got a chance to really check out their app and see what I liked and hated. One thing I'm a big fan of with the Cake app is that it gamifies the English learning experience! Little happy "schwing" sounds when you answer a question correctly give you those tiny dopamine hits that keep you going! The free version honestly worked fine enough for me (I was studying Korean on there), but the paid version (Cake Plus) just offers way more in terms of content. So if that's something that appeals to you, y ou can get Cake Plus here: https://cake.day/invite/cvqNPsBYxP (Full disclosure: If you join using this link, I receive commission)
Coursera and edX: (More formal training in English) These platforms offer courses from universities and institutions worldwide. They cover everything from basic grammar to advanced academic English.
Each of these platforms offers a unique approach to learning, so it's worth checking them out to see which one suits you best.
How can I learn English fast by myself?
Don't forget the fundamentals. "Fast" isn't always "right". But here are some tips:
Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve, whether it's improving your conversation skills, preparing for an exam, or simply gaining confidence in speaking. I hope I've given enough information in this post to point you in the right direction to find what you need based on your goals.
Immerse Yourself: Surround yourself with English as much as possible. Listen to English conversational podcasts, watch movies and TV shows, and read books or articles. The most underrated speaking skill is listening! Listen to intonation and rhythm in conversational podcasts. This will speed up the process of sounding natural when you speak English!
Practice Daily: Consistency is key. Even if it's just 15 minutes a day, regular practice will help reinforce what you learn.
Date someone who speaks English: Ok the dates themselves might not be free, but honestly whenever a student comes to my class with a perfect British accent, they are ALWAYS dating/married to/madly in love with someone who speaks English with that same accent! It's the most motivating classroom!
Study with my Ultimate English eBook! This is the only English eBook you need for self-study and the best option to learn English alone. More than 101 units of English quizzes, challenges, new vocabulary, and grammar exercises to work on, and most of the units have a matching video to follow!
How to learn fluent English at home for free?
Let me ask you this: How did YOU get so fluent in YOUR language? As a baby growing up, you heard new words and expressions, and tried to copy them. For example: If your mum said "Oh that's rubbish!" with a certain tone and intonation, you'd then try to copy it when you saw something unbelievable, using her as a guide! Well it's the same principle when you learn English or any other new language. Ah, yes, but you want to do this at home for free! Don't worry, here are some options:
Engage in Online Forums: Participate in English-speaking forums or groups related to your interests. Reddit, for instance, is an app I spend WAY too much time scrolling on! It has communities for every topic under the sun where you can practice writing and reading English. Sure you might have an argument with a random Redditor here and there, but it's the internet, what do you expect?
Join Online Language Exchange Programs: Platforms like HiNative connect you with native English speakers looking to learn your language. This is also free which is very important! This exchange allows for real-time practice and cultural exchange. Also it's not creepy. I've seen that as quite a common problem for these types of language exchange app, but I don't hear about people getting creepy in the DMs on this app which is nice!
Remember that listening is a passive speaking skill: Conversational-style Podcasts are amazing because you'll hear a natural conversation where you can pay attention to intonation, rhythm and flow of native-level English. To make the most of this you need to listen and repeat. Make notes of certain sentences and sentence structures which you might use in your daily life!
Is British Council good for learning English?
The British Council is pretty much the go-to for English students and teachers. An excellent resource for learning English, offering a range of courses and materials for all levels. Their website features free resources like videos, articles, and interactive exercises that cover various aspects of the English language. Additionally, the British Council offers paid courses and exams such as IELTS, which are internationally recognised and highly regarded. I often refer to the British Council when I need to check the latest information about the format for English exams.
Their lessons are well-structured and designed to cater to different learning styles, making them a reliable choice for anyone looking to learn English online.
How can I learn the British accent naturally?
In a perfect world, you're making friends with people with the same style of British accent you like. You can copy them and it's almost like they're your personal accent coach!
However, if there are no British people around you, you can take an online British accent course. There are tons costing £100s, however, I made a better course which teaches everything you need to know to develop your own natural-sounding British accent. Learn the characteristics, northern and southern English pronunciation styles. And of course, it's free! You also have the option of paying whatever you feel comfortable with for the course. To be honest I made this course as a middle finger to the people who charge £100s for the exact same information and lessons! So if you're an actor trying to nail the British accent, or you just adore the cute way we say "Water", then this British Accent course has everything you need!
Remember there's not one correct British accent. On my course, you learn from the beginning that any British Accent is basically a mixture of different shared characteristics that all British accents and pronunciation styles share!
You can find the British Accent course here:
So what next?
Did I miss anything? I hope not! Send me a DM @papateachme on all socials for any tips on sites, apps, or YouTube channels I should review next! I hope I've shown a range of resources for everyone who found this blog. Remember to stay consistent, immerse yourself in the language, and make use of the free and paid resources available, and remember to support good creators! Happy learning, awesome nerds!
Aly
What's your favourite way to learn English for free?