English is the most widely spoken language in the world as it is the key to a plethora of opportunities, be it jobs, promotions, travel, business, or cross-cultural conversations. English has become integral to global communication and commerce in today’s era. Learning to speak English adds to your skillsets and boosts your earning potential.
Contents
- 8 English-speaking online courses
- Inherent Factors Across All Courses
- Advanced Ranking Criteria
- 8 Best Online English-Speaking Courses
- Tips to improve spoken English
- 1. Practice makes a man perfect.
- 2. Mistakes are your guides.
- 3. Read and Listen carefully.
- 4. Vocabulary is your best friend.
- 5. Tech it out.
- 6. Make Friends and take Feedback.
- Resources to help you become a more confident communicator
A LinkedIn survey found that 90% of HR Directors, CEOs, and CMOs felt that having English-speaking employees benefits their businesses. Additionally, according to new research conducted by Wall Street English, half of English speakers reported an average of 25% boost in earnings because of learning English. The 'English at Work Report 2016' from Cambridge University said, according to the Harvard Business Review, HR managers worldwide report that applicants with exceptional English language skills (compared to the average level in their country/territory) earn 30-50% higher salaries. The same report found that over 50% of employers in India use an English test for the interview round. Approximately half offer a better-starting salary package to applicants with good English language skills. Aren’t these numbers mind-blowing? If speaking English can bring a change in not just your personality but also your earnings, then it’s worth learning.
Do you want to improve your English but are confused about which online English speaking course is best for fluent English speaking? How can you learn and improve your English speaking skills online? Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered as I’ve listed down eight powerful English speaking course online for you to choose from in 2022 that are high in quality, focus on improving pronunciation, and include audio and video lessons. I can vouch that once you’ve read this article, you will find an online course to help you speak English fluently. So let’s dive in.
8 English-speaking online courses
Clapingo
Cambly
Coursera
Udemy
Duolingo
Engtalki
Fastinfoclass
FluentU
Inherent Factors Across All Courses
The following essential factors are inherent across all below-mentioned online course ensuring high-quality learning standards are adhered to across all platforms.
All the courses are conducted online, making them mobile-friendly to assist learners in learning on the go.
Each course is beginner-friendly with no prerequisites, which helps familiarize with the language and improve fluency in daily conversations.
Each program is affordable and thus worth the learner’s money.
The high-quality session materials and documents include exercises, assessments, and worksheets, enhancing the learning experience.
Speakers/instructors/tutors are experts and have credentials for teaching learners English.
The courses are flexible in time, dates, and pace as per the user’s convenience.
These online English speaking courses enable you to gain confidence and fluency in conversational English.
Advanced Ranking Criteria
The online English speaking courses have been screened based on the following criteria:
Recorded lectures, live tutoring, or One-on-one sessions with the speaker- Each online course has a specific format that differs from the other, following unique approaches and styles of teaching. The pros and cons of each class have been mentioned in the course description.
Completion Certificate, whether provided or not at the end of the course completion.
Examinations or tests, if any, are conducted during regular intervals or at the end of the course.
Whether or not feedback or Interactivity (rating/scores) is given post every class or session.
Demo availability or Trial sessions to get a feel of the overall course.
Mention types and number of courses available in each category.
Reviews, experiences, or specimens by ex-learners/students to understand what one can expect from the course.
8 Best Online English-Speaking Courses
Clapingo
Practice One-on-One with an Expert English Speaker
Gaining immense popularity in the past year is a unique platform called ‘Clapingo’ where learners can practice conversations with an expert speaker from the comfort of their homes. The learner is provided with a different topic in each session to speak on, enabling them to converse on any real-world scenario-based topic, thereby broadening their horizons. The learners can choose the speaker as per their choice, interacting with different people regularly, which boosts confidence but also aids in getting out of their comfort zones. Their USP is 100% judgment-free practice-based learning leading to fluency in communication. Queries are resolved immediately during the session, and feedback is provided to the learner at the end of the session to focus on weak areas. It’s a 24-hour platform, allowing you to book slots conveniently. Additionally, recorded sessions are also provided for extra practice and revision.
Master professional situations and expand your new vocabulary with Clapingo's 24-hour platform, where every session offers the chance to dive into diverse topics, ensuring you're well-equipped to handle any scenario with confidence and fluency."
Price: Subscription-based to suit everyone’s budget. (Trial session @Rs.99/-).
Time to complete: Varies from learner to learner.
Certificate of Participation or Completion: No.
Courses to consider:
4) Online classes for other subjects and topics.
Who should take this course? This course is ideal for English language newcomers who want to overcome their hesitation while speaking English and enhance their English grammar skills.
Link to website: https://clapingo.com/
Link to YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHxR04XOO0I
PROS | CONS |
Demo session available at Rs.99/- only. | No examinations/tests are conducted. |
Undivided attention from exceptional speakers. | |
Personalized feedback is provided after every session. |
Cambly
Practice One-on-One with a Native English speakers
Cambly emphasizes interactive learning by offering online courses for all skill levels, from basic small talk to advanced discussions on complex topics. It provides targeted lessons in English fundamentals like English grammar, business communication, and exam preparation, categorized into primary, intermediate, and advanced levels. The curriculum is tailored to the learner's needs, incorporating domain-specific vocabulary. Students engage in conversations with native speakers to enhance cross-cultural communication, fostering global connections.
Price: Subscription-based depending on the experience level and requirement.
Time to complete: The course length is around 10-15 lessons; each lesson varies from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the chosen plan.
Certificate of Participation or Completion: Yes.
More courses to consider:
1) Cambly for Adults- Multiple options to choose from
Who should take this course? This course is ideal for English language learners who wish to interact with native English speakers or those who cater to global clients.
Link to website: https://www.cambly.com/
Link to YouTube specimen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELF4LN1r130
PROS | CONS |
Interactions with native speakers. | British and American English pronunciations vary, confusing the learners, and no examinations are conducted. |
A free trial is available for specific plans. | |
Target courses for specific requirements like an exam. |
Coursera
Coursera offers a course by Georgia Tech focused on improving English for business, covering topics like networking, sales pitches, and body language. Taught by Ms. Amalia B. Stephens, it uses lectures, assignments, and evaluations to boost fluency and career skills. Free one-week trial available.
Price: $49 per month.
Time to complete: 5 weeks (Approx. 16 hours).
Certificate of Participation or Completion: Yes.
Courses to consider: This course is part of the Improve Your English Communication Skills Specialization course.
Who should take this course? This course is favorable for intermediate-level speakers, especially those interested in leveling up business communications and interactions.
Link to website: Speak English Professionally: In Person, Online & On the Phone | Coursera
PROS | CONS |
7-day free trial period. | No interactions with expert speakers. |
Great for someone seeking to enhance business language and communication. | |
Self and peer evaluations. |
Udemy
Udemy offers a comprehensive, beginner-friendly course focusing on English grammar, suited for learners across CEFR levels A1 to B2 and those aiming for 87-109 points on the TOEFL exam. It includes video lectures, practice packs, vocabulary lessons, real TV examples, and downloadable PDFs, with tests after each chapter to assess understanding.
Price: Rs. 2999/- (Check during the sale season as prices can go as low as Rs. 649/-).
Time to complete: 9.5 hours of on-demand video lessons.
Certificate of Participation or Completion: Yes.
More courses to consider:
1) English for Beginners: Intensive Spoken English Course.
2) English as a Foreign language.
3) English Grammar for Beginners: Full English Course.
Who should take this course? This course is ideal for English language learners who wish to construct English sentences utilizing appropriate English grammar structures properly.
Link to website: Full English Course: Master A1, A2, B1, B2 Levels | Udemy
PROS | CONS |
30-day money-back guarantee. | Lack of verbal practice and no interaction with an expert speaker. |
Full lifetime access to recorded lectures. | |
Study at your own pace. |
Duolingo app
Duolingo offers a fun and effective way to learn languages with game-like lessons. It helps beginners practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills daily through engaging exercises, playful characters, and challenges. Users earn points and rewards from Duo the owl for completing lessons and maintaining streaks. The app provides mini-tests, a community for doubts, and unlocks new lessons upon leveling up, making learning English and other languages enjoyable and not tedious.
Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Tagalog, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. English courses are in the pipeline for Tamil and Telugu speakers.
Price: Free.
Time to complete: Depends on your consistency.
Certificate of Participation or Completion: No.
Courses to consider: The app features an English language learning segment and other languages.
Who should take this course? This course is ideal for absolute beginners who are completely new to the language and want to gain a light-hand experience of what the language feels like. However, there are lessons for intermediate-level learners too.
Link to website: https://www.duolingo.com/
PROS | CONS |
High quality and 100% free. | No feedback or personal interactions with experts. |
Universally accessible. | |
Bite-sized lessons for just 5 minutes a day. |
Engtalki
Much like Clapingo’s format, Engtalki is an Indian tutoring platform that helps you practice English conversation with magnificent communicators across the country, enabling you to speak like a pro. Engtalki ensures that students should speak for at least 50-70% of the class time. Unlike Clapingo, which is a 24-hour format, Engtalki allows you to book a slot only between 10:00 am to 12 midnight IST.
Price: Based on the chosen subscription plan.
Time to complete: Varies from individual to individual.
Certificate of Participation or Completion: No.
Courses to consider: Engtalki for Adults.
Who should take this course? This course is suitable for learners who want to practice verbal communication and get feedback on their communication skills.
Link to website: https://engtalki.com/index.html
Link to YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL8c2CCHITw
PROS | CONS |
Recorded sessions so you can go back and review them. | No examinations to test the learner and no trial session or demo. |
One-on-one conversations with tutors. | |
Feedback based on the conversation. |
Fastinfoclass
Certified & Recognized Spoken English Online Course
This course, ISO certified and recognized by the Government of India, offers an old-school learning model with the option for personalized mentorship. Focused on individual needs, it provides access to various resources and a 90-day spoken English challenge aimed at personal development. The online classroom model has been recognized by Zee News among others and is an affordable choice with 100% placement assistance to boost careers.
Price: One-time admission fee Rs.499/- and monthly fee Rs. 299/- for classroom course beginner level whereas 1-on-1 course fee ranges from Rs.10000 to Rs.20000/-
Time to complete:
Classroom course – 90 days/3 months
Live 1-on-1 course – 1 month.
Certificate of Participation or Completion: Yes.
More courses to consider:
Who should take this course? This course is apt for those who wish to fix common English errors and learn how to write precise English Grammar.
Link to website: https://www.fastinfoclass.com/spoken-english/
Link to YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIjTF1QbXyc
PROS | CONS |
Recognized by the Government of India. | No examinations are conducted. |
100% placement assistance. | |
Curriculum-based structured approach. |
FluentU
Video-based English learning lessons
FluentU offers an innovative approach to learning English through entertainment, using movie trailers, web series, music videos, TV shows, and commercials. It features downloadable audio dialogues, video content with English subtitles and translations, clickable in-context definitions, and examples for easy learning. Content is developed by native English speakers, ensuring learners understand natural language usage. This method combines education with entertainment, making language learning an engaging and memorable experience.
Price: $30 monthly or $240 Annual subscription + 14-day free trial.
Time to complete: 1 month, which can be extended if necessary.
Certificate of Participation or Completion: No.
Courses to consider: No particular course, just video lessons.
Who should take this course? This course is apt for intermediate and advanced learners who want to improve their comprehension and also wish to speak like native speakers to understand their natural tone, body language, and sounds.
Link to website: English Immersion Online | Learn English with Videos | FluentU
Link to YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEuh17Uik7k
PROS | CONS |
Videos are recent and entertaining. | No speaking practice or exams. |
It can enhance one’s listening skills. | |
Subtitles and in-context definitions. |
Tips to improve spoken English
1. Practice makes a man perfect.
Any new skill requires regular practice, so the more you speak, the more fluent your pronunciation and conversations will be. Speak English as much as possible to develop confidence, and while you are at it, don’t shy away from making mistakes. Simply immerse yourself in it and let it flow.
2. Mistakes are your guides.
Your mistakes are your teachers; rather than frowning at them, try and learn from them. Focus on your weaker areas and give them some extra love with some extra practice involving new words. The only way to not repeat a mistake is to learn from it, especially when integrating new words into your learning process.
3. Read and Listen carefully.
Enhancing your English listening skills significantly contributes to your overall language acquisition journey. Engaging with a wide array of language-dense materials, such as your preferred books, magazines, novels, or newspapers, alongside listening to music, podcasts, or news bulletins, can greatly aid in this process. Additionally, mimicking the sounds and pronunciation patterns you hear can further refine your English speaking skills.
4. Vocabulary is your best friend.
Knowing the word that would enable you to express yourself with appropriate words is vital. A wrong word can change the meaning of a sentence or statement completely. Try to learn a word or two every day, along with its meaning and usage, and keep repeating it until it becomes a part of your regular conversations; note it down in a book or on your phone whenever you encounter new words.
5. Tech it out.
Tech can be your best friend if you can use it to your advantage. Your phone is a powerhouse for learning any language. From online dictionaries to productivity apps, you can benefit from it all. Take notes, record yourself while speaking English to spot your errors, and learn a new set of idioms to notch it up.
6. Make Friends and take Feedback.
Make friends with people who speak English and can encourage you to do the same. Talk about your day, exchange ideas, and have a discussion or a debate but all in English. It enables one to enhance listening and speaking skills to argue effectively. Don’t forget to get feedback to work on areas of improvement.
Pointers/Hacks for succeeding in an English Speaking online course
- A dependable internet connection is essential when enrolling in any course aimed at improving English speaking skills online.
- Please check your mobile device compatibility with the app/platform you choose to learn on.
- Explore the internet for more English learning content but remember, too many cooks spoil the broth, so choose wisely.
- Focus on your requirements and prioritize the course according to your needs.
- I hope the earlier details will help you make an appropriate decision and beautify your language-learning journey. Happy Learning! Until next time, Toodles.
Resources to help you become a more confident communicator
13 Best Spoken English Classes
How To Learn English Speaking At Home
Practicing Speaking English
Click here for more.