01
IELTS Liz Website
The most comprehensive free IELTS preparation resource — covering all four skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) with model answers, tips, and full practice materials for IELTS Academic and General.
▲ Steady·Score +13
English Learning
Best Apps and Resources for Learning English
The most effective tools for non-native English learners — covering grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and fluency. Trusted resources from beginner ESL to advanced IELTS and business English preparation.
Pick your favorites · Every vote moves the ranking · Results update live
02
Anki Vocabulary Decks
Spaced repetition is the scientifically proven method for vocabulary retention. English learners using frequency-based Anki decks (IELTS vocabulary, Business English, Oxford 3000) build durable word knowledge efficiently.
▲ Steady·Score +12
03
italki (English Tutors)
Affordable access to certified English teachers and community tutors for speaking practice. Regular tutoring sessions are the fastest way to improve English fluency and receive pronunciation correction.
▲ Steady·Score +12
04
BBC Learning English
The BBC's comprehensive free English learning platform — pronunciation guides, grammar explanations, vocabulary builders, and current affairs content. BBC Learning English is trusted by millions of learners globally.
▲ Steady·Score +11
05
Duolingo (English)
The world's most downloaded language app offers English courses for speakers of 30+ languages. Gamified daily lessons build vocabulary and basic grammar habits — perfect as a beginner habit anchor tool.
▲ Steady·Score +10
06
Grammarly
AI writing assistant that identifies grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style errors in English text. An invaluable tool for English learners writing in academic or professional contexts — real-time feedback trains good habits.
▲ Steady·Score +10
07
Cake App
A Korean-developed English learning app using short video clips from movies and TV shows with shadow speaking practice. Cake's real-world content and voice recognition make it one of the most engaging ESL apps.
▲ Steady·Score +8
08
Cambridge English Grammar in Use
Raymond Murphy's self-study grammar reference — the most widely used English grammar book in the world. Clear explanations, abundant practice exercises, and self-tests make it ideal for B1–C1 level learners.
▲ Steady·Score +8
09
Speechling
A pronunciation coaching app where native English speakers provide personalized audio feedback on your recorded speech. Speechling's human feedback loop is uniquely effective for correcting accent and pronunciation issues.
▲ Steady·Score +7
10
TED Talks for English Listening
TED Talks offer clear, articulate English on thousands of compelling topics with transcripts and multilingual subtitles. Watching TED Talks actively — pausing, repeating, shadow speaking — dramatically improves listening comprehension.
▲ Steady·Score +6
11
English with Lucy (YouTube)
Lucy Bella Earl's YouTube channel covers British English pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary with clear explanations and engaging examples. One of YouTube's most subscribed English learning channels.
▲ Steady·Score +5
12
VOA Learning English
Voice of America's learner-specific news service — real current events reported in simplified English at slower speed. Essential for intermediate learners connecting language learning with real-world knowledge.
▲ Steady·Score +3
Predict the rank
“IELTS Liz Website”
Currently ranked #1. Where will it be in 7 days?
About Best Apps and Resources for Learning English
English remains the world's most widely studied second language, with approximately 1.5 billion non-native English learners globally pursuing the language for professional advancement, immigration, academic qualification, and global communication. The English learning app market — led by Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, and newer AI-powered platforms — has dramatically disrupted traditional classroom instruction by making consistent daily practice accessible on smartphones at negligible cost. AI tutors powered by GPT-4 and similar models have created genuinely personalized conversation practice that was previously impossible without hiring a human tutor. English proficiency tests including IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge B2/C1/C2, and the PTE Academic serve as gatekeepers for university admission and immigration pathways, driving a large test preparation industry alongside general language learning.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to learn English fluently?
- The US Foreign Service Institute classifies English as a Category 1 language for speakers of similar Western European languages, estimating 600 to 750 hours to reach professional working proficiency. For native speakers of languages structurally distant from English — Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean — 2,200 plus hours is a more realistic estimate. With consistent daily practice of 30 to 60 minutes on an app combined with regular conversation practice, intermediate conversational fluency is achievable in 12 to 24 months for most learners.
- Is Duolingo enough to learn English?
- Duolingo is excellent for building vocabulary, grammar awareness, and establishing a daily practice habit at beginner and intermediate levels, but it cannot alone take learners to professional or academic proficiency. The most effective English learning combines Duolingo for structure with English media consumption — podcasts, Netflix, YouTube — for natural acquisition, plus conversation practice with tutors on iTalki or HelloTalk for speaking development.
- What is the best English certification to get?
- IELTS Academic is the most widely accepted English proficiency certification globally, recognized by thousands of universities and immigration authorities in over 140 countries. TOEFL iBT is preferred by North American universities. Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency are highly regarded in Europe and for professional contexts. For immigration to the UK specifically, IELTS Life Skills or Secure English Language Tests from approved providers are required.
- What are the most common mistakes English learners make?
- The most common English learning mistakes include translating word-for-word from the native language rather than thinking in English, over-relying on reading and listening while neglecting speaking practice, focusing on grammar rules rather than absorbing patterns through extensive reading and listening, and being afraid to make mistakes in conversation. Intermediate plateau — where progress slows dramatically between B1 and C1 — affects most learners and requires exposure to authentic native-speed content to break through.