Learning English the fast and easy way with the best online English courses for 2024 — English classes for beginner to advanced students

I've been an online English teacher for many years and I believe the combination of one on one or small group classes with a native speaker plus access to excellent English learning resources that you can study in your own time is the best way to learn English fast. This is how my most successful students have reached their goals of speaking English fluently, getting Band 7 in IELTS, and getting great remote jobs.

Taking English courses online can be a great way to learn the language as fast as possible without leaving home. Online English courses are perfect for those who want to improve their language skills quickly and without attending expensive classes at a language center. Many courses provide live tutoring and support, so students can get the most out of their learning experience. So, if you plan to study abroad, immigrate, or want to get a high-paying remote job — check out these online English classes to prepare yourself.

Why would I want to learn English online instead of at a big, well-known language center in my city?

The best English courses online can provide you with the perfect foundation for learning the language, and then get you to an advanced level. Many of these courses are highly acclaimed and offer a great level of quality. You can find courses that focus on specific areas of the language, or general programs that will give you a good grounding in all aspects of English. No matter what your goals are, there is an online course out there that will suit them. And, they are almost always cheaper and better than the traditional in-person options.

These courses are flexible, affordable, and convenient, making them a perfect option for busy people. Additionally, online courses often offer a variety of learning materials and activities to help you learn English quickly and effectively. You can find a variety of classes that can help you learn English grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. They are often designed for students of all levels, so you can find the right one for your needs.

English Learning Made Easy: Go from beginner to intermediate English, and even master business English with these convenient English lessons

If you want to improve your English language skills, studying online is the best way to go. The courses are typically self-paced and include a native-speaking teacher, so you can get help when you need it...and most importantly...practice speaking English with a native speaker. 

Language learning is hard, so I hope I can make it easier for you to quickly improve your English language skills. There are many options available, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Before you choose an online course, make sure you evaluate its features and benefits to make an educated decision to buy a course that fits your budget and assures you'll reach your goals. 

Luckily, I've evaluated them for you :)

1. Lingoda sets the bar high for business English & general English classes online.

PROS:

• General English and Business English lessons are totally immersive. Lingoda has a number of different plans for both small group and one-on-one courses. The fees are low, although they vary depending on your degree of commitment. There are often generous promotions. Click here to see the prices.

• Lingoda offers two special programs called Sprint and Super Sprint every month or two. These plans require you to sign up for one or two months of sessions and commit to taking 15 or 30 classes each month in the Sprint and Super Sprint, respectively. You will receive a 50% refund for the Sprint and a 100% refund for the Super Sprint if you attend all of your lessons. Lingoda's Sprints are perfect for anyone who needs to boost their English level quickly. 

• There are no scripts in the classes, so it doesn’t get boring and repetitive. Instructors may choose to stay on an activity that is effective in motivating students to talk, or they may choose to forgo an exercise if they don't feel it's worth it. Because of this flexibility and focus on speaking, I believe Lingoda is one of the best spoken English learning sites.

• Most teachers are native English speakers, and all instructors must be at least a C2 level in the language they teach, according to the CEFR. They must also have a certificate to teach that language as a foreign language and two years of teaching experience.

• Lingoda's business English course will help you sound more natural and confident in English in general and are not typical, boring business English courses. By learning with them, you'll become a better communicator, feel more at ease, and eventually sound more like a native speaker, which will definitely help you excel in any job.

CONS:

• Lingoda doesn't have a comprehensive self-guided study center online. The only materials are the PDFs included with each class. You can download them before class, and study them after class too, but it would be better if they had some audio-visual lessons, flashcards, and more vocabulary, grammar, and English expressions to study on one's own via the Lingoda website.

FINAL SCORE:

• 9/10. I give it a high score because the lessons are convenient and engaging. Students get a lot of time to talk. The teachers are supportive and help you improve your pronunciation and fluency. Lessons are focused, but have flexibility to meet students' individual needs. 

Read my full review of Lingoda here. Check out Lingoda's website here to get started today.

2. Rachel's English Academy — The best way to learn American English pronunciation

PROS:

• Rachel's English Academy is one of the best deals for English classes online. At $37/month you get a lot of value because it's the best online course to learn English pronunciation fast and easy. After you sign up for the free pronunciation course at www.rachelsenglish.com, you'll receive some promotions too.

• There is a massive resource library of audio & video lessons that breakdown what you need to practice and make it easy to stay focused and keep trying.

• The Academy comes with a detailed study plan. This is vital because no one else teaches pronunciation this way and if you follow her plan, you'll improve your English pronunciation faster than ever.

• You get a webinar style class with Rachel once a month, and you can get feedback from her teachers in the members' only Facebook group.

• You'll learn how Americans really talk. She explains better than any other teacher how we link words, stress syllables, drop some sounds, change other sounds...and why we do it so you can do it too...which will make you sound more like a native speaker quickly.

CONS:

• There is no one-on-one tutoring or small group classes with a native speaker. Although her resources are excellent, talking to a computer will only get you so far. You have to practice speaking English with a native speaker who can correct you and help you get it right.

• It assumes you have a solid foundation in English grammar and sentence structure, so it's not for beginners. Even though it's never too early to start practicing pronunciation correctly, if your level is CEFR A1 to low B1, you should probably focus on one of the other courses for 2-3 months before joining Rachel's English Academy.

FINAL SCORE:

• 9/10. I give it a high score because the study plan is so focused and lessons are convenient and engaging. Rachel's plan is unique. Her team is supportive and help you improve your pronunciation and fluency. The audio-visual resources online can't be beat. 

Sign up for the free pronunciation course at www.rachelsenglish.com, then join the Academy when you're ready to get focused and practice a lot of pronunciation. 

3. English Class 101 — The most comprehensive English course materials

PROS:

• English Class 101 by Innovative Language is one of the best deals for English classes online. You can sign up and get 7 days of their Premium Plan access for free. Then, they will follow up with generous promotions.

• There is a huge resource library of audio & video lessons that break down what you need to practice and make it easy to stay focused on the learning pathway they've planned for you. A quality smart-phone app makes it easy to learn from anywhere.

• Dialogues between native speakers frame the grammar & vocabulary for each lesson, as well as helping you to practice listening. 

• There is a good mix of British & American English. They also do a great job of mixing general English & business English.

• They focus on how people really talk. You'll learn a lot of current expressions that other textbooks and online English courses don't teach. 

• The program's organization keeps you focused and motivated to complete the lessons. Quizzes & level tests help you challenge yourself and be sure you got the most out of the lessons.

• The Premium Plus plan includes access to a teacher, who can answer your questions by text and keep you focused & motivated, via their app.

• The price is low considering all the resources you get access to. 

CONS:

• I'd like to see a one on one tutoring plan in the Premium Plus plan because text access isn't really sufficient. There just isn't enough speaking with a native speaker here.

• There are group classes for beginner & intermediate students, but the cohorts don't run frequently enough. 

FINAL SCORE:

• 8/10. I give it a high score because the study plan is so focused, fun, and lessons are complete, convenient and engaging. The price is right. The team is supportive. The audio-visual resources, PDFs, app, and podcasts are outstanding. Sign up for a free trial here.

4. Teacher Joe — One on One Business English Course & IELTS Prep for adults B2+

PROS:

• I'm an experienced teacher who is also a language learning student & expat, so I understand your struggles in learning English.

• I have focused on IELTS prep since 2019, so I can prepare you to get at least Band 7 on IELTS Speaking & Writing. This is best for adults who aim to immigrate to Canada, UK, USA.

• In my teaching career, I've mostly focused on teaching adults, so I know how to relate to professionals in many different fields, from various cultures.

• I usually teach English for business, and have developed an engaging program based on conversation for working adults.

• We can customize the program based on your particular needs & goals. 

• I'll teach you how native speakers really talk at work. You'll perfect your pronunciation, reduce your accent in English, and know how to use expressions, idioms, and phrasal verbs correctly.

• Private English conversation classes that will improve your English fluency and boost your confidence.

CONS:

• I'm only one person, so I might not have a convenient time slot for you.

• I might be in a time zone that makes it hard to coordinate class time.

• My program might be a little too expensive for you, but you can ask me about sharing the cost with a friend.

FINAL SCORE:

• 9/10. I truly want to help you improve your English as fast as possible and achieve your goals. I hope we can find a convenient time to work together. Click here to check out my Business English For Success program, and click here to learn about my IELTS Prep Tutoring program.

5. The British Council's English Online — The gold standard of English language education

• PROS:

• 7-day free trial for Gold and Platinum Plans including 2 group classes or 1 private class, depending on your preference.

• There are a variety of courses available on their online learning platform. Depending on your level, you will be able to choose from lots of real-life themes and can take classes from as many themes as you like to customize your course. Fir example, choose a course that teaches business English or one about common English phrases for travel.

• Interesting online activities to improve your language skills in your own time. Engaging live online classes in small groups with your expert teacher and classmates (or one on one).

• Live online classes are scheduled throughout the day, everyday, so you can choose to study what you want, when you want. 

• Highly-qualified, experienced English teachers make sure you learn English quickly and get the feedback you need to speak English with confidence. 

• British Council badges and certificates available from the most respected brand in ESL education.

• Affordable pricing depending on the plan you choose. It's much cheaper than their classes in the centers.

CONS:

• I honestly can't think of any drawbacks to the British Council's English Online course. 

FINAL SCORE:

• 10/10. The British Council has the best reputation in the English teaching industry. Their online English learning resources are excellent. The live classes with native-speaking teachers are engaging and will help you improve your English fast.

• Click here to take a level test, and then go here to see plans & prices.

6. Cambly — The best English language tutoring site online 

PROS:

• Cambly is always an affordable option, and they often have generous promotions.

• You can find a native-speaking tutor available to help you advance your English communication skills 24/7.

• Lots of speaking exercises so you learn to speak and understand English with native speakers.

• Meet friendly, qualified tutors from many different countries and get used to hearing a range of English accents.

• English has many idioms & expressions, which you can learn first-hand through conversations with your tutor.

• Cambly is focused on speaking English, so you will do most of the talking and have an expert there to correct you and explain why & how you can say it better. 

• This is the cheapest and easiest way to prepare for the IELTS Speaking exam. 

• It's perfect for salespeople and other professionals who have to practice giving presentations in English.

CONS:

• You have to have a very fast internet connection because there can be tech issues. 

• Some students complain that some tutors aren't serious enough teachers.

• The supplementary materials are either a bit random and hard to find on the Cambly blog, or they are built into the classroom interface to review with a class recording later.

FINAL SCORE:

• 9/10. Everyone who is learning English while living in a place where they can't practice English enough in daily life needs Cambly. The only way to really learn to speak English is to speak English a lot. Cambly is the best English speaking course online and the ideal place for focused speaking practice with native English speakers.

• Sign up to Cambly here, there are often generous promotions and a free trial.

7. English Like a Native — The most complete program online to learn British English

PROS:

• Expertly designed courses cover B1 & B2 intermediate English and C1 & C2 advanced English levels with a focus on producing English in a natural way. 

• Don’t waste your time Googling lists of vocabulary, grammar rules or taking the time to watch videos and write everything down. Her course includes 100+, well organized PDFs with English idioms, vocabulary, phrasal verbs, etc.

• The Ultimate English Package includes all of her 5-star rated courses, giving you everything you need to take your English to the next level...and keep perfecting it for life.

• Learn to speak clearly, confidently and fluently in a British RP accent.  Their pronunciation course teaches you how to pronounce every sound of Received Pronunciation accurately as well as training your articulation, speaking confidence, and fluency in English.

• Regular conversation classes are led by native English teachers who assign conversation topics in advance and offer the right support in each class to keep the conversation flowing. 

• Their unique online Business English course teaches you how to be successful in finding, applying for, interviewing, and securing an English speaking job.

CONS:

• The Ultimate English Package is expensive upfront ($997), but totally worth it if you are a professional who plans to move to the UK.

• It would be nice if there were one on one tutoring available.

FINAL SCORE:

• 9/10. This is the best option for all adult students who are very motivated life-long learners and want to move to the UK.

What is the best course to learn English?
It all depends on your goals and your current level.

All of these courses are excellent, but each one leaves out a little bit that will make the most motivated learners have to combine 2 or 3 of them in order to get fluent in English as fast as possible. See below for my recommendations according to CEFR levels and possible scenarios that adult students might have. If you're not sure of your level, take a free level test here.

By now, you should have already taken a free trial to EnglishClass101.com to get excellent materials to supplement your classes with Lingoda. Now, consider paying for their more advanced training.

• At the B2 level, you should really start to focus on your pronunciation and spoken English. So, sign up for the free pronunciation course at www.rachelsenglish.com, and then decide if you want to join her Academy. If you are more interested in British English pronunciation, and want to train yourself to have a British accent, then I recommend you get Anna Tyrie's Pronunciation Course from her English Like a Native program.

• It's essential you practice speaking with a tutor on Cambly as often as possible. 

• Also add in the Elsa Speak app to help you perfect your pronunciation and improve your English to the C1 level, which corresponds to users who can express themselves fluently and spontaneously. You'll soon be able to use language flexibly and effectively for all purposes.

• When you are on the cusp of C1, it would be a good idea to change from Lingoda to British Council or the higher levels of EnglishClass101.com so that you can experience a different perspective, access more advanced materials, and meet new teachers.

• You can also join my business English coaching program if you need to quickly improve your English for work.

• It's essential you practice speaking with a tutor on Cambly as often as possible.

• Continue with a course that can get you to C2 and keep you there, for example, English Like a Native's Ultimate English Package. 

• At this point, I encourage you to join my online English conversation classes where you get to practice speaking English about interesting topics in a supportive environment with a small group of people who are at the same level and come from different countries.

• At this point, it's time to dedicate yourself to perfecting pronunciation. Decide if you will focus on an American accent and join Rachel's English Academy, or if you want to go for a British accent, sign up for English Like a Native's Ultimate English Package. 

• In addition, I'll help you perfect your pronunciation & word choice via one-on-one conversational English classes when you join my business English coaching program. With my tutoring + Rachel's English Academy, you'll sound just like a native speaker in 12 weeks.

• I also invite you to join my English Conversation Classes for Advanced Learners in order to keep up your English speaking skills.

Congratulations! You've worked hard and become fluent in English :)

Of course the answer to this question depends on you. There are various kinds of English and the English language has many accents, so when learning any new language it's good to know about the various dialects, but it's better to pick one and focus on practicing your English pronunciation according to that way to learn English.

Most of my students want to move to Canada or the USA. I meet many others who want to study or get a job in the UK or Australia. It seems like most learners of English have their own accent and then gravitate to a neutral American accent. If you plan to move to the UK, though, it's worth investing the money and effort into learning British English and its unique pronunciation.

Either way, you can find tutors on Cambly from Canada, USA, UK, Australia, etc. 

If you know you are going to the UK, start with The British Council's English Online Gold or Platinum Plan that's right for your level. Then, invest in English Like a Native's Ultimate English Package as you progress.

If you know you'll go to the USA or Canada (or if you aren't sure), start with Lingoda and EnglishClass101.com. 

To get to a level of perfectly spoken English, it's more about you and your dedication than it is about which dialect you choose.

Most of my students are either...

1. Young adults who want to study abroad and need Band 6.5 on IELTS (high B2 level CEFR)

2. Young professionals who want to emigrate to Canada, USA, or UK and need Band 7 on IELTS (C1 level CEFR)

3. Professionals (usually in IT) who need to get to C1 level in English so they can get the highest-paying remote jobs that pay in USD$ or Euros

If you are in one of these groups I invite you to make an appointment with me to talk about your goals for 15 minutes. We'll have a mini-lesson and I'll help you make a learning plan that's perfect for your budget & schedule. 

Pick one of the Best English courses online for 2024 & improve your English communication skills fast. Master speaking and listening with these English language courses.

Language learning is challenging, so it's important to choose the right course that will help you learn English fast. All of these English course online have much to offer learners at all levels, from beginner to intermediate to advanced and finally to fluency and perfectly spoken English. You can find excellent free courses on EdX and from the University of California on Coursera to supplement your studies. You should, however, invest in one of these English courses online that offer lessons with live teachers so you can improve your English skills faster.

How to speak English easily step-by-step...

Learn English speaking at home, and eventually speak English fluently by choosing one of these online English programs, practice English conversation, and confidently speak good English in public when you invest in yourself and follow my recommendations for your level.