Best Websites to Learn English

Whether you are learning English as a second language or trying to polish your already adequate grammar and style skills, the seven websites below can help.

1. Memrise

Memrise is an online flashcard website where people can upload their own flashcard stacks. You can find a range of topics ranging from Geography to Electronics to Fashion. These flashcards are great if you want to learn English vocabulary for specific topics, as the majority of flashcards come with pictures and sounds to aid your learning.

Even if you know English very well, Memrise can help you learn higher-level English, with flashcards covering SAT and GRE English, and more.

2. Duolingo

If your first language is not English, and you are confused about where to go first, I suggest Duolingo. Duolingo is a language-learning website that transforms the language-learning process into a game. You are given tasks like matching words to flashcards, picking the most appropriate word for a sentence, writing what you hear, and more, all in your native language.

Duolingo will help you take your English abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, to a basic conversational level once you finish the course. From there, you can take the reverse course, translating from English into your native language. The learning never stops at Duolingo. I often find myself redoing the courses to solidify my abilities.

3. Dictionary.com

Everyone, at one time or another, needs a dictionary. There are hundreds of thousands of words in the English language and not many people know them all. Everyone, from the most basic of beginners to the more advanced speakers of the English language, should bookmark Dictionary.com for future reference.

You never know when you will need to learn what a word means, like hesperidium. Use that in a sentence!

4. Readable.io

Sometimes, the best learning happens when we teach ourselves. It is one thing to learn from others, but we can really solidify the lessons learnt by going over our own mistakes and correcting them.

Readable.io checks your typed text for you, highlighting your ease and ability at writing. Using readability scores, text analytics, keyword densities, and sentiment analysis, you can learn where your writing skills are lacking, and how to correct them. This website can be a very valuable tool for the self-taught writer. I used it all throughout school on academic paper drafts.

5. Purdue Online Writing Lab

Run by Purdue University, the Purdue Online Writing Lab can teach you how to form grammatically-perfect sentences. Although the website is meant for university-level students, anyone can improve their grammar and abilities in English via the site. You can learn how to improve your general writing abilities, perform better research and cite that research, and more. There is even a section on English as a Second Language.

Regardless of your English abilities, you should use this resource if you are performing research of any kind. From grade-school assignments to masters-level citations, any student can benefit from the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

6. Grammarly

Sometimes, you just want to check your grammar, sentence by sentence. Grammarly will provide suggestions based on your written input. You can use this website to increase your vocabulary range and your written skills.

There are many words in the English language that can confuse even the most ardent of English speakers. I still meet adults today who misuse “two,” “too,” and “to.” Understanding the differences that words can make in the meanings of sentences is vital to improving your English. While Grammarly is not free, it is worth every penny.

7. Upwork

While Upwork is not exactly a website where you can learn English, it can help you improve your reading, writing, and speaking abilities by helping you hire a tutor. Upwork is an online marketplace where you can hire individuals to help you with a variety of things. Rates are affordable and each person offering a service has a complete profile with ratings and review from previous clients.

For a reasonable price, you can contract an English tutor to speak with you online and help you with your English. They can help improve your conversational English abilities, grade your written English, teach you new concepts in the English language and more. Due to the versatility, affordability, and accessibility of online marketplaces like Upwork, this resource can be one of the most valuable ones you use as you learn English online.

Good luck.