The USA is the world’s largest English-speaking country, so it’s understandable that so many people want to learn American English.
Whether it’s for career growth, cultural immersion, or effective international communication, this guide offers the information and practical advice you’re searching for, including:
- Where to study American English
- How to learn an American English accent
- Apps, podcasts, and websites to help you become fluent in American English
- Key differences between American and British English
What is American English?
Let’s first be clear what we mean when we talk about “American English” and an “American accent”.
Just as when you learn British English, these terms do not describe a distinct language or a single accent. There are many different regional accents and dialects that can be labeled as “American”, as you can see from this map:
What we are actually describing is a variation of the English language with characteristics that are predominantly found among speakers in the United States of America.
These characteristics include differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling.
Why learn American English?
There are around 380 million native English speakers in the world, and around 260 million (two-thirds) of those are from the USA.
Therefore, one good reason to learn American English is because it’s the most-spoken version of English in the world.
It has become the dominant language of film, media, and the internet, meaning that English learners are often exposed to American English more than any other form of English.
As you learn to speak American English, you will also start learning about American culture, slang, and humor – all of which will give you a deeper appreciation of the language and the American people.
8 ways to learn American English
With the rise of digital platforms, learning American English has become more accessible than ever. From the comfort of your home, you can tap into all kinds of apps, podcasts, websites, and courses, each catering to different aspects of language learning
Let’s take a look at some of the resources and techniques that will help you learn American English online and in person.
1. Take lessons with a native English speaker from the US
One of the strongest defining features of American English is the American accent. And one of the best ways to learn an American accent is to take an online English course with a native speaker from the US.
Having this regular, two-way conversation will help strengthen both your comprehension and speaking skills. You’ll also receive personalized feedback to help you improve and sound more natural when you speak.
Preply is a great platform for finding an American tutor; you can search for tutors who were born in the USA and who specialize in teaching American English to be sure you’ll find a good match.
Prices start from around $8 for a 50-minute lesson on Preply, and you can book classes at a time of day to suit you. Get started with 50% off your first lesson!
If you prefer to take lessons in a classroom, investigate English courses near you and see if there are any with American teachers.
2. Practice speaking in an American accent
If taking lessons is not an option for you right now, you can still practice your American accent in other ways.
Firstly, you could download an English learning app with speech recognition software, such as Rocket Languages. This app asks you to record certain phrases and gives you feedback on your pronunciation.
Next, there are some good American English courses available on Udemy for an affordable one-off fee. These include:
- American English Pronunciation for Beginners: This course covers the basics of American pronunciation including vowels, the ‘r’ and ‘l’ sounds, and commonly mispronounced words.
- American English Pronunciation – Accent Reduction Made Easy: An award-winning Broadway voice coach talks you through the sounds and rhythm you need to master for a natural American accent.
- Advanced American English Pronunciation: For those who want to master the American accent, this course goes deeper into forming habits and using the correct intonation and flow.
Finally, you can take a few minutes a day to watch American movies, TV shows, YouTube videos, or any other kind of spoken media.
Listen to how different actors pronounce words in different accents, and try to mimic what they say. Pay attention to how words flow together and the rhythm of each sentence, but also try to match the pace. English is spoken at a slower rate of syllables per second than Japanese, Spanish, French, and Italian, for example, but faster than German and Mandarin.
3. Listen to podcasts with American accents
Podcasts are a great way to learn English since they are interesting, usually free, and available for all levels.
Some podcasts are specially made for English learners and come with lesson notes and exercises – these are well suited to beginner and intermediate learners who want more lesson-based content.
The American English Podcast and the All Ears English Podcast are both good options if you want to learn about the language and the culture at the same time.
But the real fun starts when you reach a more advanced level and can listen to podcasts on any topic!
Our full guide to using podcasts to learn English has some top recommendations plus tips to get the most out of this technique.
4. Learn American English online with free websites
Another way to learn American English for free is with websites like Voice of America (VOA) and USA Learns.
These free website platforms have video and written lessons with interactive exercises to test your English grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
The Free Dictionary website is another helpful tool, as you can look up any word and hear the pronunciation in both American and British English; just look for these icons:
You can discover some more of our favorite websites for learning English here.
5. Read books about American English language
Books can be very helpful reference tools when it comes to American English grammar, vocabulary, and beyond.
One of the best books about learning American English is English the American Way: A Fun Guide to English Language. Although it’s old enough to include a CD, having last been updated in 2018, you do also get access to an mp3 file of the recordings.
Many teachers recommend this book for ESL students in the US or anyone planning to go and live there.
The book contains real-life conversations and lots of illustrations that give fun and practical explanations of how the English language is used in America. If you enjoy learning by reading, check out some more good books for English learners.
6. Explore American idioms and slang
If you listen to Americans talking casually, you’ll notice they use plenty of slang words and idioms as they speak – just as you probably do with your native language.
Being able to understand and use this kind of language is just as important as your accent if you want to sound natural and relatable. However, these terms are not always taught in school classes.
The Dictionary of American Slang is a good place to start; it catalogs hundreds of slang terms and colloquialisms, including a section on text message abbreviations.
You can read our guide to American idioms as well as our many more general idiom guides on this site.
Then, make sure you practice using these terms with your English tutor or conversation partner (being aware of any coarse slang that may be inappropriate).
7. Make friends with Americans
Hanging out with Americans is a great way to learn about their culture and, of course, get a better idea of how they sound when they speak.
If you already live in the US, you’ll have lots of opportunities to socialize and chat with native speakers. Joining a club, interest group, or sports team can be a good way to meet people in a casual environment.
If you live in another country, it can be harder to meet American speakers face-to-face. In this case, a language exchange app could be the best way to connect.
Take every chance to talk with Americans and ask about the food they like to eat, the festivals and events they are attending, and the trends or news stories they are following. Find some more good small talk topics here.
8. Watch American movies and TV shows
This is probably something you’re already doing in your free time, but follow these tips to make your time spent watching TV even more productive:
- Research the dialect that appears in each show and pay attention to how this affects pronunciation, especially vowel sounds. For example, the sitcom Friends is set in New York whereas the Western crime drama Justified showcases a Southern US accent.
- Use subtitles in English or your native language, depending on your level. The goal is to be able to watch an English show without subtitles.
- If you see unfamiliar words as you watch, make a note of them and look them up later.
- To practice your pronunciation and accent, pick one phrase or sentence and record yourself saying it. Play it back and compare it to the original, focusing on connected speech rather than individual words.
- Listen out for American humor such as irony, sarcasm, and satire. If you’re not sure why something is funny, ask a friend or your English tutor next time you speak to them.
Combine this with a few other lifestyle changes, and you can start to learn English through immersion.
Understanding American vs British English
One of the best ways to learn American English is to also study British English, and to understand the differences between the two.
This way, you can be more intentional about using American words and pronunciation when you speak English.
Here are some guides that will help you understand more of the differences between British and American English:
We also recommend you use a grammar checker like Grammarly and set it to your target language. This will help you identify where you are using the ‘wrong’ spelling and grammar.
Summary
For anyone wanting to learn American English or improve their fluency with an American accent, the good news is that resources are widely available online.
Whether you choose a free website, a language app, private lessons, or immersion in American media, it’s important to practice regularly and pay special attention to the words used and how they sound.
If possible, connect with a native speaker via lessons or meetups. They will help correct how you pronounce tricky vowel sounds and pick up on any unnatural words or phrases you use.
FAQs
How can I learn American English easily?
To learn American English more easily, immerse yourself in American culture by listening to podcasts, watching American TV shows and movies, and repeating phrases and sentences you hear. Pay special attention to slang terms, vowel sounds, and the way words flow together.
Is it difficult to learn American English?
American English is no harder to learn than any other variant of English; in fact, it may be easier because it is used so widely in the media and pop culture. Still, it’s helpful to learn about the differences between American and British English so you can be more intentional about using American words, grammar, and pronunciation in your speech.
How can I improve my American English pronunciation?
The best way to improve your American English pronunciation is to have a native speaker listen to you and teach you how to sound more natural. This could be an English tutor or a friend who is willing to help you improve.
Is American English better than British English?
Neither form of English is ‘better’ than the other, but you may prefer to study American English if you plan to live in the US or work for an American company. You may also just prefer the way that a certain accent sounds.
