Ultimate list of free resources for learning English

Learning a new language is a real challenge and it’s widely accepted that English is one of the more difficult tongues to master. Thankfully though there are a huge number of resources available to make learning English quicker and easier.

Books, courses, websites and even apps can help someone to learn English. In fact there are so many resources that the real problem could be choosing from the hundreds that are out there. It’s also pretty handy to have a list of good learning aids that are free. With that in mind we have compiled the ULTIMATE LIST OF FREE RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ENGLISH, all of which are very helpful and any of which would be a great starting point.

• Learn English Online– English language students can choose from 11 different language units on this website. All 11 units contain five valuable lessons, with assignments, tests, examples and images.

• MES English– A site which is admittedly aimed at teachers but has lots of resources for students too, including games, worksheets and videos.

• Activities for ESL Students– English students can practise their language skills with quizzes, tests and puzzles at Activities for ESL Students. This is a very useful website for beginners to intermediate English students, who can learn via podcasts, videos and games.

• Busuu– As well as online lessons in English, Busuu offers courses in French, Spanish and German. The English resources are excellent, especially the ability to communicate with a worldwide community to practise and pick up top language tips to make learning English quicker and easier.

• Google Translate – Google does just about everything these days, and that includes translating any number of foreign languages. Google Translate is a very easy way to do quick translations of words of phrases, and of course this can be done at a computer or on a tablet or smart phone on the go.

• bab.la – Learning English is made more fun at bab.la. This site has scores of educational games, quizzes and a community forum, as well as useful reference tools such as a dictionary and vocabulary index.

• BBC Learning English – This BBC resource uses current events to help learners master the English language. Help with grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation is available and of course, all for free.

• Free Online Tools for English Language– This is a comprehensive resource for general English learning, covering all bases, including vocabulary, grammar and even slang.

• British Council: Learn English - Learn English online with the help of this free website from the British Council with games, stories, listening activities and grammar exercises.

• British Council: Teaching English – On this website you will find free teaching resources to use in your English lessons. There are lesson plans and activities, complete with worksheets to download.

• UsingEnglish.com – This educative organisation has a rich array of resources for English learners, such as teacher handouts, printable resources and a grammar glossary.

• Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary – aimed at intermediate learners, this is one of the most popular online resources. It is a comprehensive English dictionary which also has an array of games, quotes and words of the day.

• Collins Thesaurus – This is another very useful tool, for finding synonyms and clarifying the meaning of words. It also offers fun facts and more to make learning more interesting.

• Common Errors in English Usage – This is an online book by Paul Brian which has been invaluable to countless English students across the world. There are links here too to the writer’s blog, calendar and Facebook page.

• Idiom Site – Common idioms are explained easily on this site, which helps students avoid common mistakes and learn at a good pace.

• Fonetiks – This web reference is hugely useful for students who are trying to master their pronunciation. It offers samples of native speakers in order for learners to get accents and spoken English spot on.

• Teaching English – British Council Facebook page – The British Council is an organisation that is heavily involved in educating people in the English language. Its Facebook page is – unsurprisingly then – a great resource for teachers of English as a foreign language.

• Oxford University Press Learning Resources Bank – Being such a revered establishment it is no surprise that the Oxford University Press Learning Resources Bank is chock full of resources from courses to interactive learning tools and much more.

• EduFind English Online Tests and Learning Games – A wide range of tests and games are available here, which teachers can use to help their students enjoy the learning process.

• The English Blog– This is a blog, which can be of help to teachers and students of English. It has dictionaries, grammar guides, e-learning interactive resources, learning tools and news on English language education.