If there's one thing that has changed my life in recent years, it's starting an online English course. And look, if you're thinking about learning the most spoken language in the world without having to leave your home, this text is for you!
I'm going to tell you how this experience was (and still is) transformative for me and suggest some course and application options that I tested and recommend with my eyes closed.
Why take an online English course?
The first time I tried to learn English was when I was a teenager, at a language school near my home. But money got tight, my motivation waned and, in the end, I gave up.
Years later, as an adult, I realized that English was needed for everything: getting a good job, traveling, understanding films and series without subtitles, even the music I like to listen to.
That's when I decided to give English another chance, but this time in a different way: directly from my cell phone, with an online course.
The flexibility was what attracted me the most. I could study during my lunch break, before bed, or even on the bus. Everything at my own pace, without pressure.
My experience with English apps
I started with Duolingo – and yes, it’s that app with the little green bird that keeps sending notifications like “You’re making Duo sad!” Despite the joke, Duolingo was very useful for creating the habit of studying a little bit every day.
The lessons are quick and work like games, which makes learning a lot of fun.
Then I explored other options. One that surprised me was Busuu. It has a really cool difference: you can practice with native speakers.
I did some corrections of exercises with people from England and the United States, and this gave me more confidence to write and communicate.
I also tested the BBC Learning English, which is 100% free and has super updated content, with videos, audios and texts from everyday life.
It's a little more advanced, but perfect for those who have already gone beyond the basics and want to upgrade.
Oh, and I can't forget to mention the Cambly. In it, you chat with native teachers in real time, via video.
Does it give you butterflies in your stomach at first? Yes, it does! But after that, it’s all joy. A friend of mine uses Cambly all the time and says it was the app that helped her most to overcome her fear of speaking English.
And the most complete courses?
If you are looking for something more structured, with a beginning, middle and end, there are complete courses with a certificate.
One of them is the English Live (EF English Live). It has live classes with teachers and a super well-organized platform. I used it for a while and thought it was great, I only stopped due to budget issues, but I intend to go back.
Another one that I saw a lot of people talking about well is Kultivi – it’s free and offers courses with Brazilian teachers, great for those who are starting from scratch and need an explanation in Portuguese.
Tips from someone who has tried everything
- Don’t wait until you have “free time” to start. With online courses, you can study for 10 minutes a day and see results.
- Use English in your everyday life. Set your cell phone to English, follow foreign profiles on social media, try watching a series without subtitles.
- Be patient. Learning a new language is like planting a tree: you take care of it a little every day and, eventually, you start to see the fruits.
- Combine different applications. I use Duolingo for vocabulary, YouTube to listen to native speakers, and Anki (a flashcard app) to memorize words.
Learning English online is a liberating experience. It gives you autonomy, saves you time and money, and puts you in touch with the world. If, like me, you’ve tried and failed, maybe it’s time to try again — but in a new way.
With so many apps and online courses available on Play Store and App Store, only those who don't want to learn (or who haven't found the ideal method yet) don't learn. It took me a while to start, but now I'm not giving up!
What about you? Have you started your online English course yet? If you want, I can help you choose the best app for your profile. Just call me! 😉