Play, Practice, Improve: English Learning Tools You’ll Love

I collected these learning tools. My students told me about most of them. I know there’s a lot here. My advice is to keep trying these tools until you find something that works well for you. If you have any additions, please contact me.

I’ve indicated which of these tools are free. But you should double-check just in case I made a mistake. 🙂

GAMES TO LEARN ENGLISHPermalink

• Prodigy - Practice English through fun, game-based adventures (free with paid membership options)
• VerbSmash - Train verb tenses with quick, interactive challenges (free)
• Wordscapes - Build vocabulary by solving word puzzles (free)
• Guess Up - Practice speaking with a fun guessing game (free)
• Charades - Offline game like GuessUp, act out words to improve fluency and confidence (free)
• Real English For Gamers YouTube channel - Learn gaming vocabulary through short videos (free)
• Grammarian - Improve grammar by fixing mistakes in a fun game
• Noun Town - Learn vocabulary by exploring a virtual English world
• Wisp - Learn English from your favorite PC video games
• Newcomer - Language learning RPG that simulates a language immersion experience similar to studying abroad

AIPermalink

• Replika - Chat with an AI to practice English conversation (free with paid option)
• ChatGPT Voice Mode - Speak with AI to improve pronunciation (free with paid plans)
• ChatGPT Study Mode - Get explanations and practice English topics (free with paid plans)
• Gemini Guided Learning - Learn English with guided AI lessons (free with paid plans)

FOR YOUNG LEARNERSPermalink

• Khan Academy Kids - Learn English with fun videos, activities and games (free)
• Read Along - Read stories and practice pronunciation (free)
• Storyberries - Enjoy free children’s stories for reading practice (free)
• British Council Learn English Kids - Videos, songs, activities and more (free)
• Peekaboo Kidz - Interesting videos teaching English vocabulary (free)
• Hachi - Practice English with a cute AI (1 week free trial for new subscribers)
• ABCya Games - Play educational games to learn English basics (some free games with paid plans available)
• Babilala - English learning app for young children
• RAZ Kids - Read leveled books and take quizzes (free trial)
• Flyer.vn - Practice English tests like Cambridge Flyers
• Monkey Junior - Learn English letters, phonics, vocabulary (free trial)
• Monkey Stories - Interactive English stories for kids (free trial)
• Edupia - Online English lessons for children (free trial)
• Reading Eggs - Games and stories to build reading skills (30 day free trial)

LANGUAGE LEARNING COMMUNITIESPermalink

• Lingbe - Practice English with real people by voice (free)
• Idyoma - Find language exchange partners worldwide (free)
• Hellotalk - Chat with native speakers to improve English (free)
• Tandem - Practice speaking with global language partners (free with pro option)

LISTENINGPermalink

• Lingoclip - Learn English with music videos, shows and movies (free)
• Lyricstraining - Improve listening by completing song lyrics (free)
• ESL Lab - Practice listening with quizzes and audio (free)
• Elllo - Listen to real people from different countries (free)
• Grimms Fairy Tales - A collection of stories from Europe (more here) (free)

PRONUNCIATIONPermalink

• YouGlish - Hear real examples of words in context (free)
• ELSA Speak - Get feedback to improve pronunciation and more (free with pro option)
• ELSA Speak dictionary - Check your pronunciation (dictionary feature is free)

DICTIONARIESPermalink

• Oxford - Trusted definitions for English learners (free)
• Cambridge - Clear definitions with examples and pronunciation (free)
• Merriam-Webster - English dictionary with quizzes and examples (free)

READINGPermalink

• Batcave - Read English comics online (free)
• Arknights - Practice reading with a graphic novel (free)
• Read Theory - Read and answer comprehension questions (free with pro option)

IELTSPermalink

• The Forum - IELTS lessons and speaking practice videos (free)
• IELTS with Datio - Tips and lessons for IELTS success (free)
• IELTS subreddit - Advice and tips from learners worldwide (free)
• Mock IELTS test - Take online IELTS practice tests (free)
• Prep - Study English for exams like IELTS/TOEIC (IELTS practice section is free and some other parts are free, paid plans available)
• DOL English - Practice IELTS with smart learning tools

GRAMMARPermalink

• Khan Academy grammar course - Learn grammar with clear videos and practice exercises (free)
• HiNative - Ask real people English questions and get quick answers (free with premium option)
• Scribens Grammar Checker - Type a sentence to see your grammar mistakes (free with premium option)
• Grammarly - Check writing for grammar mistakes instantly (free with paid option)
• Blue Book - Learn grammar rules and examples

NEAT APPSPermalink

• Capwords - Build vocabulary by taking pictures of everyday objects (3 day free trial)
• Cake - Practice expressions and listening with short real-life videos (free with Cake plus option)
• Knowt - Review vocabulary using flashcards and auto-generated quizzes (free with paid option)
• BeeSpeaker - Improve pronunciation with guided speaking and instant feedback (7 day free trial)
• Parroto - Practice daily English speaking challenges with AI corrections (free with premium plan)
• The Coach - Learn English through structured courses and live coaching (free with pro plan available)
• FSEL - Study English with lessons made for Vietnamese learners (free trial with paid option)
• Duolingo - Learn English through mini-games (free with pro option)

ALL OTHER TOOLSPermalink

• Learn English with TV Series & Movies - Learn vocabulary and expressions (free)
• English in a minute - Learn quick English phrases in videos (free)
• Reddit English Learning - Ask questions, get answers (free)
• British Council Learn English Teens - English lessons for teenagers (free)
• BBC English - Learn English with videos and activities (free)
• Learn English Discord Server - Practice speaking with real people (free)
• TED Ed - Watch educational videos to build vocabulary (free)
• Anki - Memorize vocabulary with flashcards (free)
• Arena Streams - Watch videos to practice English listening (free)
• Mochi - Learn vocabulary with spaced repetition (free with paid subscription option)
• Cambly - Learn English online from real English teachers (must pay for lessons with teachers)
• Preply - Take online classes with English tutors (must pay for lessons with teachers)
• 4English - Practice English with news, videos, quizzes (free with paid option)
• Netflix + Language Reactor - Study English with movie subtitles (Netflix isn’t free, Language Reactor is free with a pro option)
• Spotify - Listen to English podcasts and songs to improve listening (free with paid option)
• EFSLE - Practice English with free lessons designed for learners (mostly free)
• Achieve 3000 - Improve reading with news articles
• Acellus - Online English courses for students
• Studocu - English study notes and resources (premium option available)
• Study4 - Prepare for English exams with quizzes (limited free access, most courses are paid)
• Springboard English - Courses to improve English skills