There's no doubt that learning a foreign language helps expand knowledge and cross cultural boundaries. However, not every language holds the same importance as the timeless language of Shakespeare. The prestige and legitimacy of English are not just because it's the official language of major countries like the USA and the UK, but also because it's the main language in academia, economics, politics, and tourism. While it's true you can pick up some phrases and sentences by watching movies or chatting, you'll never feel fully proficient until you master the basics of proper writing and differentiate between dialects. We all agree that traditional study methods and classrooms have become boring and outdated, so integrating technology and the internet to speed up learning is essential. This shift has led many educational platforms to invest in specialized websites for teaching English, making the process more effective and time-efficient.
I have reviewed the best websites to help you learn English from scratch to mastery, focusing on grammar and communication skills based on global standards, and in the shortest time possible.
Top 10 Websites to Learn English for Beginners
1. Cambly
Cambly is considered the best site for learning English. It uses modern teaching methods and employs a professional team of native English-speaking teachers from Anglophone countries (USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand). Lessons are tailored to each student's level and skills, delivered interactively. What sets Cambly apart is the direct communication and flexible scheduling, breaking down fear and shyness, which are major barriers for beginners. Cambly also offers a service called Cambly Kids, designed to help children learn English in a fun way under parental supervision. Cambly is a paid service.
2. Preply
Preply has over 15,000 specialized English teachers, making it a strong contender among the best English learning websites. What sets Preply apart is its group lessons, offered professionally and at reasonable prices. These lessons are ideal for intermediate students preparing for IELTS and TOEFL exams, known for their difficulty and tricky questions. Prices vary based on the teacher's popularity and student count, and rise if the teacher is from a native English-speaking country like the USA. It's best to research the teacher's background and reviews before making a decision.
3. British Council
The British Council's online platform is an official representation of the British Council, providing trusted English learning services worldwide. It’s perfect for students planning to study abroad, helping them master academic terms for quick integration into university environments. The British Council offers different methods for teaching English, including recorded lessons, live broadcasts, and face-to-face sessions based on customer choice and membership type. There's also a section for IELTS preparation, popular among students planning to study in the UK or other Commonwealth countries.
4. Italki
Italki has extensive experience in language education, organizing online classes and workshops for years. The site allows students to browse teacher profiles and choose based on reviews and fees. However, Italki lacks specialization and a formal schedule, leading to varied lesson content. The platform doesn’t conduct eligibility tests for teachers or level assessments for students, acting only as an intermediary. Despite this, Italki maintains a good reputation, but thorough research and trying multiple teachers is necessary to achieve positive results compared to platforms like Cambly.
5. Grammarly
Learning English isn’t just about communication skills; writing proficiency is also crucial. Grammarly is a widely recognized tool for correcting language and grammar mistakes. It’s not just for beginners but also for university students and corporate employees. Grammarly is equipped with advanced software to improve text quality and detect plagiarism. Many consider Grammarly the best site for sentence correction and proofreading, integrated with the latest AI technology to enhance text quality based on context. Grammarly supports all types of devices and documents, ensuring high-quality writing anywhere. Using Grammarly daily has saved me time and improved my academic writing skills.
6. FluentU
FluentU’s innovative approach focuses on improving comprehension and helping beginners learn essential phrases for conversations. Instead of traditional lessons, FluentU uses music clips and videos, emphasizing audiovisual communication. This approach helps students understand context and pronunciation. However, FluentU might not be practical for most beginners as it prioritizes comprehension over writing and direct communication skills. Subscription prices are high, especially with better and more affordable alternatives available.
7. ManyThings
ManyThings is a classic in online English education, launched in 1997. Its old-fashioned design resembles a resource hub more than an interactive learning platform. The strength of Many Things lies in its valuable resources, like downloadable references and professional YouTube channels, with high-quality audio clips. It's suitable for intermediate students but not beginners or children due to its complexity and lack of a mobile app, making it desktop-dependent.
8. Duolingo
Duolingo is a well-known free app used by millions to learn over 43 languages. It offers a comprehensive educational program based on previous knowledge. New users take a skills test before being placed in different levels. Duolingo is ideal for beginners with its easy-to-use, interactive approach. However, it's not suitable for intermediate or advanced learners due to the lack of high-level lessons necessary for proficiency exams.
9. English Club
English Club operates similarly to Many Things, which isn’t surprising as they are from the same era. Despite this, English Club offers excellent tools, especially for TOEFL preparation. It also has an online store selling expert-recommended books, accredited by top universities and affordably priced. English Club is ideal for advanced learners but not beginners, as its interface is dull and non-interactive.
10. ELLLO
ELLLO offers over 3000 English lessons categorized by level. It publishes conversation videos with transcripts and related quizzes. A large team of teachers from various countries prepares these lessons, providing exposure to different accents. However, with the rise of AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini by Google, traditional teaching methods may seem outdated. Students often lack the motivation and time to follow structured lessons and tests, favoring direct interaction for faster language acquisition.
Conclusion
Statistics show a growing demand for learning English, driven by globalization and the spread of Anglophone culture. English’s simple and straightforward rules make it one of the easiest languages to learn at all levels. Mastering English can enhance your travel experiences, integrate you with foreigners, and open up vast career opportunities, improving your financial situation. Additionally, fluency in English can help you find remote work easily.
