The Top 10 Spoken English Classes Online in 2024
In order to refine your spoken English, the most important thing you can do is actually practice talking aloud.
Learning a language can be so frustrating. No matter how much you repeat the verb conjugations or do grammar exercises, you always feel like you’re lacking something. This is often the case with self-study English learners who spend time watching TV and movies, reading articles, and studying textbooks. The key problem is the lack of conversation and personalization. In order to refine your spoken English, the most important thing you can do is actually practice talking aloud.
The best English speaking course online
By now, I’m sure you’ve Googled “What are the best online classes for English speaking?” But there are thousands of results. We’re going to help you narrow it down to the ten most useful resources on the web for learning to speak English.
Top 10 spoken English classes online
LiveXP
The best place to find a tutor for English classes is on the website LiveXP. With one-to-one tutoring, you can brush up your speaking skills and focus on the areas you are struggling with. LiveXP allows you to choose a tutor from anywhere across the globe; you can even try several tutors until you find the best fit for you. Whether you’re looking for structured lessons or casual conversation with a like-minded person, you can find what you’re looking for.
What’s more, on LiveXP, you can take a free trial lesson with any tutor on the platform, meaning you can try it before you buy! A trial lesson enables you to test the software and meet a teacher before making any commitments. And even with the subscription, you can change a tutor whenever you want.
LiveXP offers a Personalized Learning Path tailored to your level and interests to combine one-on-one tutor sessions with self-study exercises. This approach to teaching English ensures efficient, engaging, and customized learning experiences.
Among the advantages of using LiveXP to learn English is the personalization the platform provides. All the topics and lessons will be tailored to your personal preferences, goals, and even interests to ensure your engagement.
Other online English speaking classes
Coursera
Coursera is great for academic and professional development. It offers high-quality courses from top universities and companies. Some courses are expensive and require a time commitment, similar to a traditional university class.
Udemy
Udemy provides a vast marketplace for courses on various subjects, from technical skills to personal development, including, of course, English. The vast range of courses on almost any topic is a great selling point, yet courses are user-generated, meaning that the quality can vary greatly.
edX
Similar to Coursera, it offers university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines. EdX’s courses from prestigious institutions are free and can be completed at your own rhythm, with the option to pay for a certificate.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization providing free video tutorials, interactive exercises, and a personalized learning dashboard, all of which empower learners to study at their own pace both in and outside the classroom. It is completely free and suitable for learners of all ages, including children.
Babbel Live
This language-learning app is focused on helping users learn new languages through interactive lessons. With a paid subscription, Babbel’s structured courses help you work on practical language skills. Lessons on the app are built by experts and voiced by native speakers, but you can also choose to take lessons with Babbel Live, either one-on-one or in a group of up to six students.
Alison
Alison has over 100 English courses from beginner to advanced level, with many specific courses aimed at specific professions or industries, such as business administration or hospitality. You can choose from the “certificate” courses or “diploma” courses, depending on how thoroughly you wish to learn the topic.
Perfectly Spoken
Perfectly Spoken provides video lessons from beginner A1 up to advanced C2 level, along with lesson tests and downloadable practice materials. Learners have access to specialist courses like exam preparation or business English. You can take part in live sessions with a teacher and other students, which are included in our subscription, or choose to pay for additional private lessons with one of the teachers.
Lingoda
Lingoda is an online language school offering structured courses and the option to earn certificates upon course completion. Lingoda employs certified native-level teachers, ensuring high-quality instruction and exposure to different accents and cultures. You can practice speaking English in small groups of up to 5 people or 1-on-1 in live, 60-minute Zoom classes with experienced teachers.
Cambly
Cambly is an on-demand language learning platform that connects you instantly with English tutors for real-time video lessons. You no longer need to schedule lessons in advance, as Cambly allows you to connect with a tutor right there and then, albeit not always professional teachers. You can choose from a kids’ subscription, individual or group lessons.
Best English speaking classes: Group vs. 1-to-1
Group lessons let you talk to multiple people, which can enhance communication skills by exposing you to diverse perspectives. They provide opportunities for collaborative learning, allow you to give and receive feedback, and practice real-life conversation in a social setting. Plus, group classes are often more fun and encouraging, fostering a sense of community and friendly competition that can motivate you.
One-to-one classes allow the teacher to tailor the content to every student’s individual needs and go at their own pace. This individualized approach facilitates faster progress as it addresses the student’s weaknesses. Additionally, the student gets more speaking practice and immediate feedback, which enhances their confidence and fluency more effectively than in group classes.
Try a FREE 30-minute trial lesson with any English tutor on LiveXP to learn English 1-to-1
Top spoken English classes: Online vs. face-to-face
In-person instruction is more interactive and immersive. They allow for immediate feedback on pronunciation, intonation, and other elements of speech. Face-to-face classes often foster stronger interpersonal connections both among students and between the student and teacher. Being in a classroom setting can also reduce distractions and create a more focused learning atmosphere.
Online lessons offer flexibility in scheduling and location, allowing students to learn from anywhere at any time, which is especially convenient for those with busy or irregular schedules. They provide access to a wider range of teachers, and online lessons are more likely to make use of digital tools and multimedia resources, such as videos. Finally, they eliminate the need for commuting, saving time and reducing costs.
Benefit from online 1-on-1 lessons with English tutors on LiveXP by taking a FREE trial lesson
How to find the best teacher for English speaking course
Knowing how to choose a tutor can drastically change the way you learn. For example, if you need to pass exams in order to get a job or enter a higher education program, then structured lessons with a qualified teacher would probably best suit your needs. On the other hand, if you want to improve your spoken language for vacations, travel, or day-to-day conversation, then you ought to find a tutor with interests similar to yours. The best online coaching for English speaking is with a tutor who understands your needs and can adapt lesson plans accordingly, but also somebody you find yourself comfortable with.
You may want to focus on a specific accent, either the one you find easiest to understand or the one that will prove most useful for your career or personal life. For example, if you have colleagues in the US, then you should opt for an online teacher with an American accent. Conversely, if you want to be able to watch Downton Abbey in the original language, then your teacher should be one who speaks with a received pronunciation accent.
How to complement the best spoken English classes online
There is no single way to learn to speak English. In fact, there are many things you can do to complement your lessons. By doing the following activities alongside your formal study, you can reinforce and put into practice everything you have already learned.
- Language exchange, either online or in person, is a great way to learn English while helping someone learn your mother tongue. Nowadays, many apps help you partner with a native Anglophone for mutual language practice via text, phone calls, and video chat. Finding the right language partner can take time, but once you connect with someone, you may find a pen pal for life.
- Use the Word Trainer feature on LiveXP, which uses spaced repetition to enhance vocabulary retention. It allows students to add new words from lessons or daily encounters and tailor repetition to individual progress. This makes learning more efficient and engaging, reinforcing words learned during classes and expanding your vocabulary.
- Join or form a local or online English-speaking club. This could be a club based on any topic that interests you, from sports to knitting to drawing to wine tasting. Attending regular sessions conducted in English will help your language skills progress while simultaneously practicing your hobby.
- Try to engage in daily conversations with anglophone friends, family, or colleagues. Regular practice is paramount for progressing, so try to make time for it every single day.
- Narrate actions out loud to yourself, and try to get into the habit of speaking aloud when you are alone. It may seem strange at first, but the more you speak, the easier it will become.
- If you don’t have anyone to speak to, or you prefer to practice alone, then make use of your smartphone to record yourself speaking and play it back to identify areas for improvement.
- Did you know that reading books, articles, or other texts out loud is beneficial for speaking? It enables you to practice pronunciation and fluency. Instead of concentrating on understanding the text, focus on the pronunciation of words, intonation, accent, and fluidity of the sentences.
- Use the shadowing technique to mimic and repeat dialogues from movies, TV shows, or podcasts to work on your accent, intonation, and rhythm.
Take advantage of LiveXP’s Personalized Path, which creates a customized English learning plan based on individual knowledge, speed, and interests. It combines 1-on-1 lessons with a tutor and self-study sessions in the app. Progress is tracked with tests, then exercises are tailored to your level accordingly using AI, making learning engaging, efficient, and, most importantly, fun.
Hello! My name is Beth. I'm from France. I'm a French and English native speaker and I really like writing.