If you’re having trouble learning English—maybe traditional classes are too expensive or you don’t have time for them—there are some great free English language learning resources. These can really boost your skills and help you feel more confident.
Whether you’re just trying to speak fluently every day, succeed in class, or getting ready for job interviews, the right support can make a real difference. So at Remitly we’ve created this guide to explain how to learn English, and shared practical ways to improve your skills.
This guide provides guidance on the support you’ll find on campus if you’re in college, some free apps for learning English, and helpful tools for academic reading, writing, and listening.
Campus-based English support
If you’re learning English as a second language (ESL), your school or university campus is one of the best places to find support and practice your skills. Many colleges and universities offer free English-language learning resources for students that can help you in and out of the classroom.
ESL tutoring and writing centers
Many schools have writing centers where trained student tutors can help you with writing assignments. They can work with you on grammar, essay structure, pronunciation, word choice, and academic-level writing. These centers are usually open to all students and very helpful, especially if English isn’t your first language.
Conversation clubs and language partners
Look out for conversation clubs on campus. These are relaxed, social settings where students meet regularly to practice speaking English. Some campuses offer conversation partner programs, where they match you with native English speakers for casual weekly chats.
These programs don’t just help with your English; they could help you learn about different cultures, and even lead to new friendships. You can give each other feedback and improve together.
Professors and academic advisors
Don’t forget about support from professors and academic advisors. They can point you to the right ESL tools for students, check in on your progress, or help you find study groups and workshops. They’re there to support your learning, so feel free to ask questions or share your challenges.
Best free English learning apps
Here’s a quick summary of some of the best free apps for learning English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills:
| Apps | Strength | Best for |
| Duolingo | Based on games, daily drills | Beginners needing vocabulary and grammar practice |
| BBC Learning English | Authentic audio/video content | Intermediate learners strengthening listening skills |
| Quizlet | Academic flashcards and quizzes | Students memorizing subject-specific vocabulary |
| HelloTalk/Tandem | Real conversation with natives | Improving speaking fluency and cultural insight |
Duolingo
Duolingo makes learning English feel more like a game than a class. This app offers short, interactive lessons that help you build vocabulary, practice grammar, and improve your listening and speaking skills. It’s free and offers full courses in over 40 languages.
With regular use, your vocabulary and listening skills can improve significantly. Duolingo works best when you’re using it along with real conversations or deeper study. But it’s a great place to start.
BBC Learning English
BBC Learning English is designed to help you learn how to use English words and grammar in real life. It offers podcasts, pronunciation lessons, and grammar tips using real-world examples.
It can help improve your listening and grammar skills, and what’s great about it is that all the material is free and accessible on the web. Be sure to start with a clear plan.
Quizlet
Quizlet is a popular tool for learning academic words using flashcards. You can either use sets created by others or make your own. Also, its audio and image features make it easier for you to remember words.
On Quizlet, you can study for tests, memorize difficult terms, and build your vocabulary over time. That’s why many students and teachers use this app to support long-term learning and retention.
HelloTalk and Tandem
If you want to practice real conversations with native speakers, HelloTalk and Tandem let you chat with people from around the world. You can use text, audio, or video, so you can practice speaking and listening in a more natural way.
HelloTalk is great for quick conversations, and it has a huge global community. It’s casual, fun, and easy to use, although some chats can be short.
Tandem offers a simple, user-friendly design and a more structured learning experience, with built-in tools that let users correct each other and practice together. Clear community guidelines also help ensure that conversations stay safe, respectful, and focused on learning.
Website and tools for academic English
If you’re looking for support with academic skills like writing essays, reading textbooks, there are some excellent free websites and ESL tools for students out there:
Purdue OWL for writing help and grammar tips
Purdue OWL offers clear, easy-to-follow guides on grammar, sentence structure, and strategies like outlining and proofreading, making it one of the best free websites to help improve your academic writing.
Not sure when to use “a” or “the?” Struggling with subject-verb-object placement? Purdue OWL has interactive grammar classes to help you practice and improve.
Grammarly for real-time writing feedback
Grammarly helps you catch grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes while you write. It works on your computer or phone, and you can use it in apps like Google Docs, email, and even on social media.
Grammarly is also more than just a spellchecker. It provides tips to improve your writing and explain why something is wrong, so you can learn from it. Consider using Grammarly when you’re finishing a paper, bringing your resume up to date, or sending a professional email.
ReadTheory for reading comprehension practice
ReadTheory is one of the top ESL tools for students who want to improve their comprehension and reading skills. It gives you short passages followed by questions like, “What’s the main idea?” or, “What can you guess based on the provided clues?”
This app adjusts the difficulty level based on your performance, so it always feels just right—not too easy or too hard. It also tracks your progress to help keep you motivated.
Khan Academy for academic English through different topics
Khan Academy is well-known for mathematics and science, but its English section is also very helpful, especially if you’re preparing for your SAT or other major exams.
The academy offers lessons on grammar, punctuation, and reading strategies, all broken into short videos and quizzes. It’s a great way to develop your academic English skills and improve your overall school performance, so if you’re studying this is definitely worth considering.
Practice through daily life
Learning English doesn’t have to stop when class ends or the app’s closed. Your daily routine is full of opportunities to grow your skills, and any moment could be turned into a valuable learning experience:
Watch shows and movies with English subtitles
Watching TV shows or movies with English subtitles is a useful way to train both your ears and eyes. It helps you hear how words are pronounced—which for many people is one of the most difficult things about learning English. But you’ll also get to see how words are spelled and used in sentences.
Try rewatching a favorite show with English captions; especially if it’s a show you know well, you might well pick up on some phrases you’ve heard before in English and not understood properly.
Keep a personal vocabulary journal
Keeping a notebook or digital notepad for new words you come across can really boost your vocabulary. Write down the word, its meaning, and an example sentence that makes sense to you.
Give yourself a way to remember how it’s pronounced, too—whatever works for you, you don’t have to follow traditional pronunciation notes. Reviewing your list often helps the words stick and makes it easier to use them in real conversations or writing.
Speaking English with friends, classmates, or roommates
There’s no better way of getting comfortable with a language than actually speaking it. Chatting with others in English, especially in casual, everyday situations, can quickly improve your speaking skills. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just having regular conversations, whether at lunch or while walking to class, helps you feel more confident and makes learning natural and fun.
Read news articles or short stories out loud
Reading out loud is a great way to practice pronunciation and fluency. Saying the words helps your brain connect sound, spelling, and meaning at the same time. Try reading a news article or story slowly at first, then read it again more smoothly. Over time, this can really improve your speaking and listening skills.
Tips for staying motivated and confident
Learning a new language takes time, and it’s normal to face challenges along the way. The key is to stay positive, keep going, and enjoy the process. Here are some of our top tips to keep you on track:
Set small, realistic goals
Don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on little wins, like learning 10 new words a week, writing a short journal entry, or finishing a short podcast episode. These small goals can help you notice your progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Don’t fear mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes when learning something new and that’s a good thing. Mistakes help you learn what to fix and how to improve. Think of them as stepping stones, not setbacks.
Celebrate milestones and reward your progress
Whether you used a new word in a conversation, finished a level in your learning app, or got better at understanding a podcast, give yourself credit. Even a small reward, like your favorite snack or a short study break, can boost your motivation.
Join study groups or supportive communities
Learning becomes more engaging when studying with others. Join study groups or online communities with members from other countries. You can practice together, share tips, and encourage each other to keep going, especially on days when you need a little extra encouragement.
Mix up your routine to keep it fun
Don’t stick to just textbooks. Listen to music, watch videos, play language games, or follow English memes online. These varieties keep things fresh and help you learn in different ways.
Stick with it
Learning English is a journey, and while everyone moves at their own pace, each step you take is a marker of real progress. What matters most is staying consistent, using the right tools, and taking advantage of English language learning resources for students that offer the support you need along the way.
Try one English learning tool today and give yourself credit for every step forward. You’re building skills that will open doors.
FAQs
What’s the best way to practice speaking if I’m shy?
That’s understandable—most people feel a bit hesitant to start speaking another language, especially with native speakers. So start small. Try speaking to yourself in English at home by describing your day or reading out loud.
Apps like HelloTalk or Tandem let you chat with others through text or voice messages, which feels less scary than face-to-face conversations. Over time, join low-pressure settings like conversation clubs or study groups where it’s okay to make mistakes.
Are there free tutoring services for ESL students?
Many schools and universities offer free ESL tutoring through writing centers or language support programs. Some communities and libraries also provide volunteer-led English classes. You can also find help online through platforms like Khan Academy or Purdue OWL.
How long does it take to become fluent in English?
Your fluency depends on your learning style and how often you practice. And your natural talent for learning languages, of course. Some students can hold basic conversations within months, while full fluency might take a few years. The key is consistent practice, reading, listening, writing, and speaking a little each day.
Should I focus on grammar or vocabulary first?
Start by learning basic vocabulary so you can express simple ideas right away. As you learn more words, grammar will help you put them together correctly. Be sure to learn both together over time and don’t worry about being perfect right away—every single language learner makes mistakes early on.