If you’re trying to learn English but you don’t have the budget to pay for lessons or classes, the good news is that there are many ways to learn English for free – both online and in the ‘real’ world.
Here we’re going to go through some of the most helpful free English-learning resources and ideas, including:
- Websites
- Apps
- Games
- YouTube channels
- Free online English courses
- Podcasts
- ESL news websites
- Language exchanges
- Meeting with other English speakers
- Free English classes
- Libraries and community centers
Note that some of the ESL websites and apps below have both paid and free materials. If you are considering a paid subscription to develop your English further, it can be helpful to access a free trial or limited free content first, to discover how well the platform works for you as an English learning tool.
Best websites to learn English for free
There are thousands upon thousands of free English learning websites out there. These can be a great resource for English language learners to learn new vocabulary, understand grammar, and get to grips with spelling.
However, websites are not as interactive as apps, which tend to offer a more personalized experience. You’ll also get limited speaking and comprehension practice, but you can always make up for those elsewhere.
Here are a few of the best websites to learn English free at home or on the go:
- Improving Your English: Well, we had to blow our own trumpet here. For intermediate to advanced English learners, we have a wide range of resources to expand your vocabulary (including idioms and phrases), clear up grammar questions, and clarify easily confused words.
- BBC Learning English: A wealth of resources, from lessons to quizzes, to help with English language learning. Includes specialized content for people studying English for business or university, as well as resources for children. The detailed pronunciation lessons are helpful if you want to learn to speak with a British accent.
- VOA Learning English: If you prefer to use American English pronunciation, this website has an equally broad range of topics to explore, designed to help everyone from beginner to advanced level.
- British Council: Although their courses are not free, they have an excellent selection of free audio, video, and text teachings, as well as some games to test your skills. Lessons are organized according to CEFR levels from A1 (elementary, basic English) to C2 (proficiency for advanced learners). There is also a 7-day free trial available for their live English classes.
- Oxford Online English: A collection of free video lessons covering grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, writing, and exam preparation.
- ESOL Courses: A combination of written lessons, comprehension tests, and quizzes help build your language skills.
- ReadTheory: For upper-beginner level and higher, this reading comprehension website gives you passages of text to study, followed by a quiz. You must register to use it, but it’s completely free to access.
- EngVid: Almost 2,000 video lessons where native English speakers teach English in different ways. You can sort by level, topic, and teacher.
Free English courses online
Most online English courses charge a fee, but there are a few options if you want to access them free of charge. Taking a course is one of the fastest ways to learn English, especially if you complement it with some immersion techniques.
1. Get a free trial
You can get 1 month of free English lessons from Gymglish, a platform that provides personalized lesson plans according to your CEFR level and the progress you make each day. There is a fee to pay after the first month, so make sure you sign up at time when you can really make the most of the trial period. This is a great way to access premium materials for free.
Another great English course with a free trial is from British Council. The free trial only lasts 7 days, but during this time you can join one or two live lessons for free and also access a wide range of learning materials.
2. Opt for an ad-supported or limited content course
If you want a completely free English language course, you’ll likely have to compromise by viewing ads along the way – this is how the provider makes their money. Or, you may get access to a basic course of ESL lessons with the option to pay for subsequent modules. Here are a few you could try:
- Alison.com
- USA Learns
- Queen’s School of English
- English Class 101
- Speak in a Week from Fluent in 3 Months
Keep in mind that it can take a long time to learn English – several years if you want to be completely fluent – so it’s important to find a learning method that works for you.
3. Browse course marketplaces
Online course marketplaces like Udemy and Coursera have a range of free classes, including plenty of courses to learn English online for free. The good thing about these is that you can try a few and find an instructor whose style suits you. Whether you have a basic understanding of the language or are developing more advanced English skills, you should be able to find something here.
Do note that the quality of the teaching on these marketplaces varies significantly, but you can check reviews before getting stuck in.
There are also many affordable paid courses on Udemy, with prices starting from around $16 for lifetime access.
Free mobile apps for learning English
Next, you can download a free English app designed to improve your English proficiency through lessons and language tests. Having an ESL app also allows you to practice grammar, reading, and listening wherever you go, at a time that suits you.
Here are a few free English learning apps you can try:
- Duolingo: Probably the best-known free language learning app. Although quite heavy on the ads, you can learn up to intermediate level English for free, with the app available in over 20 different languages.
- Busuu: The free version gives access to a limited range of lessons with basic flashcard-style teaching. Best for absolute beginners.
- Quizlet: Make your own flashcards or access hundreds of pre-made packs to help you memorize new words and phrases.
You may want to try several types of apps to find one with a user-friendly interface and a learning system that works for you. Also check whether each app lets users learn offline, if you don’t always have internet access.
Podcasts for English language learners
Podcasts are free to access and are available on many platforms. Here are a few for you to check out, but we have a separate article about the best podcasts to learn English – check it out for more recommendations and details about each one.
- ESLPod
- 6-minute English from the BBC
- Voice of America: Learning English
- The English We Speak from the BBC
- Learn English Podcast from the British Council
- All Ears English
Discover some more free English immersion ideas to help you surround yourself with the language daily.
Free news websites to learn English
If you like to keep up-to-date with the news, why not read it in English? Don’t worry if you can’t follow native-level news publications yet; there are actually many good news websites for English learners.
On these, you can browse news topics written for different levels – with basic vocabulary and sentences for beginners, up to more complex grammar and in-depth descriptions for advanced learners. Many also provide audio recordings, quizzes, and activities to accompany the news story, to help you learn more from it.
Where can I learn English for free?
Next, here are some physical places you can go to help you learn English.
Free English classes at libraries and community centers
Many libraries and community centers offer free English classes run by English-speaking members of the community. These can be a valuable place to learn English vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and conversation skills, as well as to meet with other students in one place.
If you’re based in the US, you can search for your nearest library using this directory, then contact them to enquire about lessons. In the UK, you can visit this page and enter your postcode.
Even if you can’t find any nearby English classes, you can of course still visit a library to access dictionaries, textbooks, and even audiobooks to help you learn English.
Local meetups and language exchanges
If you feel confident enough to start learning English by conversing with native speakers and other language learners, look out for local meetups. These are a great way to come together with other people who are passionate about language.
An added benefit of speaking English in these environments is that you will be exposed to a variety of accents and slang terms. Plus, you will learn how to pronounce English words correctly and practice your conversational skills.
Look on meetup.com to search for free English language meetups near you, or find them on social media platforms or online language exchanges.
Once you reach intermediate-level English, you could also consider joining groups based on personal interests, not just for people learning English.
In summary
Learning a new language can be hard enough without having to worry about how you’ll afford it. So, whether you’re studying English full-time or you only have 10 minutes a day, we hope this list of resources gives you a good start with learning English free of charge.
We recommend you try several of the methods and resources listed here, and find a combination that works well for you.
Next, why not check out some easy ways to learn English, so you can progress your language skills without it feeling like a chore?
