A lot of friends often ask me: How can I learn English more efficiently? Honestly, apart from persistence, finding the right tools is equally important. Over the past few years, I’ve tried many apps and websites for both study and work. Today, I’m sharing 10 tools that I personally find really useful for learning English—I hope they’ll give you some inspiration.
Duolingo is probably one of the most famous language-learning apps. The interface is fun and engaging, and studying feels like playing a game. I usually spend 15 minutes on the subway every day, and it’s helped me improve both vocabulary and sense of the language. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking to build a study habit.
BBC Learning English
The BBC’s English-learning platform offers news, speaking, listening, and grammar lessons—all for free. I especially enjoy their “English at the Movies” series, which teaches authentic expressions from real-life contexts.
Grammarly
When it comes to writing essays or work emails, Grammarly is a lifesaver. It doesn’t just check grammar; it also suggests more natural ways to phrase things. Over time, it really helps improve writing style without you even noticing.
Anki
This is my go-to tool for memorizing vocabulary. Anki uses spaced repetition to help you remember words and phrases so they don’t fade quickly. I made my own IELTS deck and kept reviewing it—super effective.
YouGlish
Not sure how to use a word in a sentence? Search it on YouGlish. It pulls real examples from YouTube videos, so you can hear authentic pronunciation and usage from native speakers.
LingQ
LingQ is better suited for advanced learners. You can import articles or novels you’re interested in, and it automatically highlights new words while letting you take notes. This way, you learn vocabulary naturally while reading content you actually enjoy.
DeepL Translator
There are plenty of translation tools, but DeepL produces the most natural-sounding results. I often use it to check if my sentences flow well, and then compare the differences to learn.
ESL Fast
This site offers thousands of short English listening and reading exercises, each with audio and transcripts. Spending just 10 minutes on one passage per day can really boost listening skills over time.
Cambridge Dictionary Online
Cambridge is my most-used online dictionary. It not only provides both UK and US pronunciations but also plenty of example sentences, which are far more effective than memorizing definitions alone.
Podcasts: ESLPod / All Ears English
Lastly, podcasts! ESLPod is great for beginner to intermediate learners thanks to its slower pace, while All Ears English focuses more on everyday conversation. Listening to a few episodes during my commute has been a big help for both listening and speaking.
Study Summary
Tools are only there to support you—the most important thing is consistency. Here’s what works for me:
- Use Duolingo or Anki daily for light practice.
- Listen to BBC or podcasts during my commute.
- Rely on Grammarly when writing at work.
- Look up tricky expressions on YouGlish.
This way, I naturally get 1–2 hours of English input and output every day. If you’re also learning English, try a few of these tools and stick with them for a while—you’ll notice real improvements in your listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
