Learn English on your own: 14 effective tools

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The best web services in different directions that will help you to comprehensively learn English. Watch movies and TV shows, communicate with foreigners, take tests.

The traditional method of teaching English and other languages has long outlived its usefulness. Most people no longer want to do the same type of exercises from the textbook and memorize dialogues, and there is not enough time for classes with a teacher. Therefore, on the Internet there are more and more various resources that help everyone who wants to learn different foreign languages.

1. Lingualeo

Lingualeo provides almost unlimited opportunities for comprehensive English language acquisition. By registering on the site, you can watch English-language videos, films, music videos, listen to podcasts and audiobooks. All materials are accompanied by text, from which you can easily and quickly add words to the dictionary, and then repeat them in training.

There is a separate section "Courses" for mastering grammar. The site also presents programs in business and travel English, English from scratch and to prepare for the exam, GIA and IELTS.

As a nice bonus, there are browser extensions that allow you to replenish the dictionary on any site, and mobile applications for all major platforms.

Lingualeo →

2. Site of the British Council

The British Council website is a treasure trove of video, audio and text materials not only for language learners, but also for people interested in English culture. Particularly noteworthy is the Learn English section, which is divided into subsections for children and adolescents, students and adults.

Also on the British Council website you can find many articles on English grammar, where even complex constructions are simply and clearly explained.

British Council website →

3.busuu

You can learn 12 languages with busuu, including English. This application allows you to train all skills: reading, writing, listening comprehension and speaking. After each block, you can test your knowledge with a test and even a native speaker (you can send him your text).

busuu →

4. Ororo.tv

Ororo.tv is a real find for TV series fans. On the site you can watch American, English, Australian and other TV shows with subtitles or inline translation. Unfamiliar words can be added to the dictionary. 1 hour of viewing per day is available for free.

Ororo.tv →

5.engVid

The site has over 600 free video tutorials from native teachers. All lessons-lectures are divided into levels: from beginner to advanced. The topics are very diverse: business English, colloquial words and expressions, preparation for international exams, and much more. After viewing, you can test yourself with a test.

engVid →

6. Memrise

On Memrise, you can learn English using courses that users create for each other. During the training, you will be asked to choose mem - a picture or record for better memorization of a word - or create your own associative image. Then you need to perform exercises on choosing the correct answer and listening to the word.

After you “plant” a word in your “garden” (the creators compare human memory with a garden), you will need to periodically “water” it, that is, consolidate knowledge with the help of regular repetition.

Memrise →

7. Free Rice

The Free Rice Trainer includes vocabulary exercises for English and other languages, simple grammar tasks, and tests. For each correct answer, you get 10 grains of rice, which are used to fight hunger.

Free Rice →

8.italki

italki is a community of language teachers and learners. The site has both professional teachers and native speakers offering informal tutoring. Each user can be both a student and a teacher.

To start studying, you need to register, buy some ITC virtual currency (italki credits) and pay for a lesson with the selected teacher.

italki →

9. Conversation Exchange

This is a free service for finding interlocutors from all over the world. By registering on the site, you can find a pen pal or for casual conversations on Skype.

Conversation Exchange →

10. Polyglot Club

The Polyglot Club service invites users to join the culture of different countries by communicating with native speakers. In addition, you can watch educational videos, improve your writing skills and attend language meetings in different cities around the world.

Polyglot Club →

11. Coursera

If you already know English well enough and can even understand university lectures, welcome to Coursera. Here you can sign up for courses in physics, medicine, construction, pedagogy and other disciplines. Lecturers from the world's leading universities deliver lectures in English. Occasionally there are classes on writing essays and articles in English.

Coursera →

12. LearnatHome

In this service, you can take interactive lessons that help you master grammar, develop correct pronunciation and listening comprehension. Every day, the system generates an individual task plan based on the user's knowledge and progress in LearnatHome. Some of the lessons are available for free, the rest, including teacher verification, are included in the premium package.

LearnatHome →

13. Duolingo

Duolingo offers a free sequential course designed primarily to build vocabulary in English and other languages. The exercises are beautifully designed and built around a variety of game mechanics, so they are fun to do.

A vibrant user community has formed around Duolingo. You can always chat with them on a special forum. In addition, the service is developing a course incubator, within which users can create their own learning materials for everyone.

Duolingo →

14. Puzzle English

The Puzzle English project is for everyone who wants to hone their listening comprehension. For this, the service database contains films, cartoons and series with double subtitles. You can combine business with pleasure: watch your favorite works in the original, along the way sending unfamiliar words to a special dictionary.

Puzzle English also has video grammar tutorials, interactive exercises, vocabulary trainers, and even comprehensive English courses from scratch. The service can be used for free. But to get rid of the restrictions, you need to buy a subscription.

Puzzle English →

Which of these resources have already helped you achieve tangible results? Let us know in the comments!

Check yourself:

• TEST: How well do you know English? →
• TEST: How well do you understand English vocabulary? →
• TEST: How well do you know English idioms? →