Learning English

Learn English online for free! Our wide range of online language reference, exercises, tests, quizzes and articles are used by millions of English students from around the world to learn English effectively.

Learn English Grammar

Grammar Reference

Learn the meanings and usage of common grammar terms.

Grammar Quizzes

Interactive quizzes covering a wide range of grammar topics.

Learn English Vocabulary

English Idioms

Find out the meanings behind English idiomatic expressions and sayings.

English Irregular Verbs

Discover the meanings and conjugations of English irregular verbs.

English Phrasal Verbs

Browse definitions and examples of common phrasal verbs.

English Word Lists

Our word lists allow you to examine words more closely.

Skills for Learning English

Reading Skills

Comprehensive strategies, tools and articles to help you enhance your comprehension and fluency.

Writing Skills

Engaging exercises, interactive tools & practical tips to help you harness the power of the written word.

Latest Articles on Learning English

Learning a new language can be hard work, so here are 70 practical tips for improving your English that you can do outside of school or college
The biggest problems with self-study EFL materials.
Some ideas for using language exchange sites
Do games have a place in an adult ESL class?
This article has some suggestions on developing self-correction skills and starting to use more accurate English, all without the help of a teacher.
13 top tips on learning words and expressions more easily, including how to select what to study, and how to do so in a more manageable way
Gain insights from a learner's perspective on how to effectively master the English language.
Using music and songs in teaching English as a second language or why people should sing to improve their language skills
Understanding principles of learning can be as important for students as for teachers - especially adult learners.
The two biggest disagreements between teachers and students all over the world on how it is best to study English in class are about the amount of error correction and the amount of pairwork.
A look at whether one language can be said to be the hardest to learn
A number of reasons why your teacher might make you correct your own answers
Reasons why teachers sometimes speak at a speed at which students can't understand everything that they say - both good ones and bad ones - with possible student reactions.
One of the ESL classroom mysteries explained

English Language Help Forums

Our online discussion forum is the perfect place to quickly get help learning English. Our panel of professional volunteer English teachers and experts are available round-the-clock to answer your questions.

Is English Hard to Learn?

English is often thought of as a hard language to learn. Many regard it as difficult because it has lots of spelling and grammar rules that can be difficult to learn. Our online poll, asking 'Is English is a hard language to learn?' currently agrees that English is difficult to learn, but only just. At the time of writing, 53% of responses say it is difficult to learn, while 47% say it isn't. We think it depends a lot on your what your native language is, and how much practice you have had.

How Long Does it Take to Learn English?

How quickly one can become fluent in English is a matter of debate, as it depends on what source you look at, what you classify as having 'learned English', and what your background in languages is. The BBC suggests that it can take 360 hours to achieve a good level of English - enough for citizenship exams. For an upper-intermediate level (B2 on the CEFR scale), it may require up to 720 hours of instruction. Most respondents in our survey, 'How long do you think it takes to become fluent in English?' believed that achieving fluency takes over five years.

How to Learn English

There are many ways to learn a language. UsingEnglish.com has lots of content to help you out. Here are some great places to start:

Use English Every Day:

Try to use English in your daily life. Watch movies or TV shows in English, listen to English songs, read books or articles in English, and try to speak in English as much as you can.

Practice Often:

Make it a habit to practice English every day. You can write something, speak, listen to something in English, or read. Doing a little bit every day helps you get better.

Learn Words with Their Stories:

Don’t just remember words alone. Learn them with the sentences or stories they come in. This helps you understand how to use these words when you speak or write.

Don’t Be Afraid to Speak:

Speak in English even if you make mistakes. Talking with people who are good at English or other learners like you is very helpful. It's okay to make mistakes; that's how you learn.

Listen to Advice and Think About It:

Listen to what teachers or friends say about your English. Think about your mistakes and learn from them. Knowing what you need to improve is important.

Further reading and English learning techniques

A learner looks at how he learned English.
Learning a new language can be hard work, so here are 70 practical English learning techniques that you can do outside of school or college.
Tips on how you can speak and communicate better in English.
Short and long term solutions for those who want to speak more quickly and smoothly. Also useful for teachers planning classroom fluency practice.
Short tips on various aspects of the English language, with examples.

Trustpilot