Our Top Picks for Free and Paid English Classes

Wondering how to start learning or improve your English? Learning English online is a great way to to begin or continue your journey. There are so many options and it can be overwhelming, but we have gathered our top picks for your benefit. Read through our guide and find the right option for your learning type!

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

What do you learn in English Online Classes?

English is the most spoken language in the world with over 2 billion speakers. Learning to speak English as a second language can help you increase your exposure and also take advantage of opportunities.

While it might not be convenient to go to college to learn how to speak English, the internet has made it very much easier for you to learn from the convenience of your home.

There are different websites and Applications that offers English lessons. These online platforms use different exciting and entertaining methods to teach you how to understand and speak English. These platforms teach you the following:

• Improves your basic understanding of English.
• Helps you to improve your knowledge of English.
• Helps to build your confidence in communicating better in English.

What Are the Benefits you will Enjoy From Taking Online English Classes?

The benefits of learning to speak English are numerous. As the most spoken language in the world, English gives you an edge in navigating the international space. English is spoken by over 2 billion people which is a large chunk of the world’s population. Hence in a world gravitating fast towards globalization, the ability to understand English is a vital skill.
Some of the benefits you stand to enjoy by picking up English as a second language include:

• English is wildly spoken across the globe which makes it a valuable asset when traveling.
• The English language helps you to expand your horizon and see the world.
• Many academic institutions around the world adopt English as their primary mode of communication. Learning to speak English helps you to enjoy the numerous academic opportunities globally.
• Being able to communicate in English will open you to numerous employment opportunities and job offers.
• Learning English allows you to enjoy movies, books, and content created in English. This way, you can access and understand a ton of materials and content that can be beneficial to you.

Best Online English Classes

There are different online English classes that offer both basic and advanced different lessons using different teaching methods. An online English class can help you brush up on your English skills while also saving you time and money. Some of the best online English Classes you can choose from including the following:

Best Value: EnglishClass101

When it comes to choosing an online English class, it’s expected that you will want value for your money. You should be looking for an online class that offers you a full learning experience with results in a record time. EnglishClass101 offers you basic English training required to improve your understanding of English. This online class drastically helps you improve your writing and speaking skills which are important for taking English certificate exams to get into numerous institutions and access different job offers. Advantages of choosing EnglishClass101 are:

• This online English class offers both beginners, intermediate, and professional English classes.

• You can sign up conveniently for the class from your phone or laptop.

• There are over 1,000 English lessons you can access.
  The disadvantages of EnglishClass101 are minute and insignificant compared to its many benefits. The downsides are.

• The main program isn’t free which means you will have to pay to access the main learning materials.

• The free version has an al assisted tutor. To get a personal tutor, you will have to pay for the exclusive package. EnglishClass101 gives you full value for your money, so the cost shouldn’t discourage you.

Best Affordable: USA Learns

USA Learns is a free online class that is sponsored by the US government. USA Learns offers beginner and intermediate courses. If you’re looking to pick up English as a second language or you are planning on immigrating to the US, then USA Learns is the online class for you.

If you have a goal to become a US Citizen, you should register on this platform. This platform also helps improves your reading, writing, and speaking skills.

The advantages of USA Learns includes:

• It’s free.
• It offers both beginner and intermediate courses which is necessary for a second language learner.
• It is perfect for you if you’re looking to immigrate to America or become an American citizen. The disadvantages of USA Learns are few and largely inconsequential.
• It doesn’t offer professional courses.
• It’s a publicly run platform which means you won’t get the tutoring to help you develop fast. You will be basically teaching yourself.

Best Visual Learning: Bubble Bee

If you find conventional teaching methods boring, or basic flashcards don’t work for you, then a creative, highly-visual program like BubbleBeeTV could be the best option for you.

This online English class uses videos and audio components to create a visual and exciting learning experience. You get to practice English in everyday style. In addition to the video series, BubbleBeeTV offers monthly packages that include pre-filmed classes on different topics, chat sessions, and customized lesson plans that offer a personalized experience.

BubbleBeeTV offers classes that cover different topics including Verbs, Tenses, and structures. You also get to get mock training for job interviews and phone conversations, etc.

Some of the features are free but you have to pay for the advanced features.

The advantages of Bumblebee includes:

• It offers you an exciting and fun learning experience.
• You will get to not only learn the theoretical aspects, but you will also learn the practical aspects.
• You will have access to personalized learning materials.

The only disadvantage of Bumblebee is that it’s not free and you have to pay to access the personalized English Lessons and materials.

Best for Community Learning: Open Learning

Open Learning is an online English class that offers a range of courses. You can search for English courses and read reviews by other students who have taken the course. Open Learning offers you a learning community that helps to improve your English writing and learning skills. Open Learning offers both intermediate and advanced learning classes.
Some of the basic English courses are free but you will have to pay for the advanced English lessons. The advantages of Open Learning include:

• You can access both beginner and intermediate courses.
• You will get to interact with other students and become part of a learning community.

The only disadvantage of Open Learning is that it’s not entirely free.

Best All-Dimension Learning: Udemy

Udemy is an all-dimensional online learning platform that offers you a diverse range of learning. Udemy uses video materials and pre-recorded lectures to create a practical learning experience. Udemy offers both beginner, intermediate, and professional courses. Many Udemy courses contain quizzes and exciting tests that will help you learn speedily and efficiently.

The advantages of choosing Udemy includes:

• They offer all levels of courses.
• You will get a practical learning experience.
• The quizzes help you to track your progress and learn more efficiently.

The only disadvantage of Udemy is that like many other online English Classes, it’s not entirely free. You will have to pay to access the upgraded packages.

Best for Immigrants: American English.

American English is an online English Class set by the Bureau Of Educational And Cultural Affairs of the United States to assist persons who want to learn American English as a second language.

They offer learning modules, materials, and quizzes that provides for an effective learning experience. They offer mainly beginner and intermediate courses. So if you’re looking to immigrate to America or become an American citizen, this platform is perfect for you.

The advantages of American English Online English Class includes:

• It’s free.
• The courses are easy and don’t take much time.
• They prepare you for life in America by helping you develop your English.
• They offer both beginner and intermediate courses. They also offer professional courses such as English for journalism, English for career development, and English for STEM fields.

The downside to American English Online Class is that it uses mostly reading modules and materials, so you might find the teaching style a bit boring.

Best English Learning Apps.

Different online English learning platforms also design Apps for easy learning. This Apps puts learning at your fingertips and offers you a convenient learning experience. Some of the best English Learning Apps are listed below:

Best fun learning App: Wannalisn

Wannalisn is a popular English learning App that builds your comprehension of the informal English of native speakers. Wannalisn uses mini clips from popular movies, Tv series, music videos, and songs to help you understand better.

Wannalisn uses these clips to teach you common English idiomatic expressions and phrasal verbs. These clips are fun, familiar, and easy to remember which helps you build your vocabulary.

Wannalisn improves your understanding of grammar, pronunciation, and phonetic transcription. Wannalisn uses a fun game style where you scale through the levels and score points to complete on a global leaderboard.

The advantages of using Wannalisn includes:

• Easy and efficient Learning through familiar and popular clips.
• Learning is fun and exciting.
• It’s free.

The only disadvantage of this app is that it requires an internet connection, so you can’t learn offline.

Best Quick Learning App: Duolingo

Duolingo is a fun quick learning app if you’re looking to learn English on the go. Just like Wannalisn, Duolingo is designed in a fun game method where you earn points and advance to higher levels as you learn.

Duolingo helps you improve your grammar, writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills. Duolingo allows you to record your answers and grade your pronunciation and English speaking skills.

Duolingo tracks your daily progress and gives you a progress report along with periodical reminders of your learning.

The advantages of choosing Duolingo are:

• Fun and exciting learning.
• Practical learning experience.
• Allows you to improve all aspects of your English.
• Great for beginners and intermediate learning. The downside of Duolingo is few compared to the advantages.
• You can’t use the app offline, so you require an internet connection to learn.
• The App contains adverts, so you might find the pop-ups a bit too much and distracting.
• You will have to pay to access advanced materials.

Best for Communication App: Babbel

The Babbel app offers you an exciting learning experience and allows you to connect with other learners. Babbel uses interesting topics such as pop culture, business, art, travel, etc to create an exciting learning experience. Similar to Wannalisn and Duolingo, Babbel uses a fun game method that allows you to earn points while learning.

The advantages of using Babbel are:

• Fun and exciting learning experience.
• Use repetition to help you learn more effectively.
• You learn through different exciting topics.
• Perfect for beginners.

Just like other English learning App, Babbel requires an internet connection. It’s also limited to beginners and intermediate learning. You might also have to pay to unlock an advanced learning stage.

Best Vocabulary Building App: Memrise

Memrise teaches you English through the use of humorous wordplay and memes. These visuals are easy to remember and helps you improve your vocabulary.
Memrise is suitable for learners of all levels. It creates a fun learning experience through a point base method that allows you to earn points as you advance.

The advantages of choosing Memrise are:

• Fun and exciting learning experience.
• Helps you build your vocabulary and comprehension.
• Perfect for learning at all levels.

Best Fun Learning App: FluentU

FluentU is a top English learning app that uses real-world videos from shows, News, and TV commercials to teach English. FluentU builds your comprehension and vocabulary. It uses a voice feature that allows you to tap on a word and hear the pronunciation. FluentU is suitable for learning at all levels.

The benefits of using FluentU includes:

• Fun and exciting learning experience.
• Develops your grammar, pronunciations, and vocabulary.

Best Self-teaching English App: ABA English

ABA is an exciting English learning app that uses self-produced content to teach English. Unlike Wannalisn that uses popular video clips, ABA video contents are recording of different people speaking English with different native accents.

ABA app contains video classes and many interactive grammar and vocabulary exercises that help you improve your English. It also has a microphone which you can use to practice speaking and pronunciation. The benefits of the ABA app are:

• Fun and exciting learning experience.
• You will learn to identify different native accents.
• Improves your vocabulary and pronunciation.

Best English Courses For Advance Learning.

If you’re searching for Courses to advance your understanding of English, there are a number of courses you can go for. These courses offer you a wider understanding of English and make it easier for you to secure academic and career opportunities where English is a requirement.

Some of these courses are listed below.

• Best International Program: Intensive English for Internationals (IEI)— The Intensive English for International Students is designed to improve the language skills of those living and studying in the United States. You will be taught the English language through different educational and cultural subjects. You will be put through interview training, community contact training, field trips, and career observation programs.

• Advance English Program: Intensive English Program (IEP)— Intensive English Program is designed for non-native speakers of English who wish to improve their language skills. This course is based on an integrated-skills approach that improves listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension of the learner.

• Best Immigrant Program: English as a Second Language (ESL)— the ESL program is designed for international students as an avenue to learn English or improve their English language skills. The major types of ESL programs offered in the US are Intensive English Programs (IEP) or American Language and Culture Programs (ALCP).
• Best Professional Program: Intensive English For Professional (IEP)— This program is designed to improve your social use of English for both work and study. It’s a skill-based syllabus designed to help boost your comprehension, reading, listening, and speaking confidence.
  The minimum requirement for this course is a high school or secondary school certificate.

Benefits of Physical Classes.

Online learning doesn’t work for everyone and if you’re not a fan of online learning, you can opt for physical learning. You can sign up at a local college or an evening class to improve your English.

The benefits of physical classes are:

• It offers better student-teacher interaction which helps you to learn faster and better.
• You will get to learn in a classroom with other students. Thereby getting an opportunity to practice with other students.
• Practicing physically helps boost your speaking confidence.
• Physical learning eliminates the distraction that comes with online learning.

The downsides of Physical Classes.

While physical classes have its advantages, it also has its downsides. The disadvantages of physical classes are:

• It’s more expensive than Online learning.
• It’s more time consuming than online classes.
• It offers less flexibility than online classes.
• It’s not as convenient as online classes.