English Conversation Courses Designed to Improve Chatting Skills

English conversation courses are a vital resource for individuals aiming to elevate their language skills. After all, becoming adept at conversing is crucial for applying English effectively in everyday life.

Within this blog post, we will present our recommended choices for conversational English courses that can assist you in acquiring the self-assurance necessary for excelling in spoken English. Additionally, we will offer valuable advice for becoming at ease with conversational interactions. Whether you are a novice or an intermediate communicator, continue reading to find the courses that will propel you to the next level!

The internet offers a plethora of conversational English courses, but their quality varies. Here are our top selections, each with a detailed overview.

• FluentU: Best for finding English content
• The British Council: Best for group classes
• Engvid: Best for free material
• Fluentin3Months Challenge: Best for speaking quickly
• Udemy: Best for self-paced study
• ABA English: Best for available resources
• Perfectly Spoken: Best for video lessons

FluentU

FluentU stands out as a language learning platform centered around subtitled, interactive videos. In contrast to traditional online English courses, it doesn’t provide standard video lessons but rather immerses you in content encountered in everyday English usage, such as movie trailers, music videos, and business-related videos. It markets itself as an “online English immersion” experience, which is excellent for honing your conversational skills, as the focus is on genuine spoken English rather than strictly adhering to textbook grammar.

FluentU is accessible both on desktop and through its app. It includes a “video dictionary” feature, allowing you to hover over any word for its definition and a practical example of its use. You can also craft your own set of flashcards from the words featured in their videos. Overall, it proves to be a useful and more engaging option compared to many other conversation courses.

However, it’s worth noting that FluentU is on the pricier side. Opting for an annual payment upfront costs $240 (equivalent to $24 per month), while the monthly payment plan totals $360 for a year (equivalent to $30 per month). Unless you intend to commit to using this course for an entire year, you’ll end up paying $1 for each day of access.

In summary, if you aim to improve your spoken English, you may need to seek additional speaking practice in conjunction with FluentU. Nevertheless, acquiring access to the English course also unlocks access to their other language courses, making it more cost-effective if you plan to delve into learning Japanese or other languages.

The British Council: English Online

FluentU stands out as a language learning platform centered around subtitled, interactive videos. In contrast to traditional online English courses, it doesn’t provide standard video lessons but rather immerses you in content encountered in everyday English usage, such as movie trailers, music videos, and business-related videos. It markets itself as an “online English immersion” experience, which is excellent for honing your conversational skills, as the focus is on genuine spoken English rather than strictly adhering to textbook grammar.

FluentU is accessible both on desktop and through its app. It includes a “video dictionary” feature, allowing you to hover over any word for its definition and a practical example of its use. You can also craft your own set of flashcards from the words featured in their videos. Overall, it proves to be a useful and more engaging option compared to many other conversation courses.

However, it’s worth noting that FluentU is on the pricier side. Opting for an annual payment upfront costs $240 (equivalent to $24 per month), while the monthly payment plan totals $360 for a year (equivalent to $30 per month). Unless you intend to commit to using this course for an entire year, you’ll end up paying $1 for each day of access.

In summary, if you aim to improve your spoken English, you may need to seek additional speaking practice in conjunction with FluentU. Nevertheless, acquiring access to the English course also unlocks access to their other language courses, making it more cost-effective if you plan to delve into learning Japanese or other languages.

EngVid

If you’re in search of a completely cost-free English conversation course, EngVid is a platform worth exploring. While its website may appear dated, the wealth of educational material it offers is invaluable.

EngVid hosts pre-recorded video lessons presented by English instructors, covering an extensive array of topics categorized for “beginner,” “intermediate,” and “advanced” learners. Each lesson maintains a sharp focus on a specific subject and includes an interactive quiz for reinforcement.

The platform provides a plethora of videos addressing English pronunciation (e.g., Pronunciation practice: OO and U sounds) and commonly used vocabulary (e.g., Work English: 12 Phrasal Verbs for Meetings), making it a valuable resource for those seeking to improve their conversational skills. However, it’s important to note that the learning process is entirely self-directed.

For individuals seeking a course with a structured, step-by-step progression and a series of modules to systematically follow, EngVid may not meet these expectations. Furthermore, there is no opportunity to practice what you learn with a real-life conversation partner. Despite these limitations, EngVid offers a substantial amount of valuable content on English conversation without any cost.

Fluentin3Months Challenge

Designed by renowned polyglot and “language hacker” Benny Lewis, who achieved fluency in seven new languages, the Fluentin3Months Challenge is geared towards accelerating your speaking skills. The challenge is straightforward: within a three-month timeframe, you should engage in a 15-minute conversation in a foreign language, in this case, English.

To help you achieve this goal, the program provides access to a video course divided into 10 modules, and you will be required to create your own self-study timetable. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the course’s online community for 90 days, ensuring more English practice, maintain a daily journal, connect with a Language Coach via video chat, access immersion resource kits, and more.

It’s important to note that the course can be relatively expensive, with a price of $397 for the standard package and $997 for the gold package, offering additional features, such as private calls with a Language Coach. While the course doesn’t promise an effortless journey, it does offer a range of advantages for individuals eager to initiate genuine real-world conversations!

Udemy

If you’ve ever explored online courses in various subjects, chances are you’re familiar with Udemy. It’s not just an English conversation course but an extensive repository of courses crafted by experts (and sometimes, self-proclaimed “experts”) covering virtually every niche, ranging from palm-reading to astrophysics. These courses primarily consist of pre-recorded video lessons along with exercises for self-guided study.

If you have a specific topic in mind that you wish to discuss in English, such as your career field or a favorite hobby, Udemy is an excellent place to begin your search since many courses delve into highly specialized content. Additionally, there are numerous courses dedicated to English conversation, where you can learn phrases and expressions used in everyday chit-chat.

These courses are particularly beneficial for individuals with busy schedules, as you can progress at your own pace from anywhere with an internet connection, often even from your mobile device. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that Udemy courses lack human interaction in the form of teacher feedback or real-time conversation practice. To put your conversation skills into action, you’ll need to seek an alternative source, but Udemy serves as a valuable means of refreshing your English vocabulary.

 ABA English

ABA English positions itself as a digital language school. Similar to the majority of online “conversational English classes,” it primarily comprises pre-recorded video lessons. In this instance, there are 144 videos featuring subtitles in your native language. Each video commences with a short film and concludes with exercises designed to reinforce your learning. The course is quite extensive, with a total of 144 lessons categorized into six stages that roughly align with CEFR levels, spanning from A1 to C1.

Notably, ABA English offers free 20-minute webinars, where you can actively engage with an English teacher. Although you’ll be sharing their attention with numerous other students, it’s a valuable opportunity for practicing your conversation skills. The course can be accessed from a desktop computer or through ABA’s modern and user-friendly app.

While a significant portion of the content is available for free, access to the most beneficial features, including certificates to validate your progress, necessitates a subscription. Subscriptions are relatively expensive at €19.99 per month, and if you wish to partake in private online video lessons to truly enhance your English speaking skills, an additional fee is required. It’s worth noting that some reviewers have encountered difficulties canceling their memberships. However, those who carefully review the terms and conditions generally express satisfaction with their course. To determine if ABA is suitable for you, it’s advisable to try out the free version first.

Perfectly Spoken

Perfectly Spoken is an online English course primarily focused on enhancing speaking skills. It may take a few minutes of exploration to grasp the range of offerings and their associated costs.

Perfectly Spoken provides a substantial amount of free resources. Without the need to provide your banking information, you can access approximately 300 video lessons, “mini English lesson” videos on their Instagram page, and even tailor a 3-hour per week study plan. Notably, by following Perfectly Spoken’s Facebook page, you can participate in live and interactive lessons.

For those desiring more, the “Student plan” is available starting at $10 per month. While 1-on-1 speaking practice isn’t included in this package, it offers good value for the money. It grants access to exercises related to current events, vocabulary resources, quizzes, and interactive masterclasses.

If you seek even more conversational practice, Perfectly Spoken offers a “Pro plan,” beginning at $30 per month. With this plan, you gain access to a practice test following each video lesson and gain entry to “practice speaking groups” where you can engage in video calls with other students and a teacher to put your learning into practice. Additionally, you have the option to purchase 1-on-1 online lessons, although these may cost as much as $50 for a 50-minute session. Hence, exploring more cost-effective online tutoring services might be worth considering.

5 methods for improving English conversation skills

We trust that you have gathered ample information about the English conversation courses at your disposal, and we hope it aids you in making an informed decision. Nonetheless, even if you come across an excellent English conversation course, supplementing it with self-study can expedite your progress. Here’s our top guidance for initiating confident speaking.

Practice with a partner

Mastering English conversation is a skill that can only be honed through active practice. Despite the plethora of apps and websites promising quick fluency solutions, there’s no substitute for engaging in real-time conversations with a partner. The good news is that finding someone to practice your English conversation skills with has never been more accessible. You might consider:

1. Seeking a language exchange partner, whether online or in your local community.

2. Allocating more time to converse with English speakers you know, either through phone conversations or in person.

3. Frequenting places where English speakers tend to gather, such as touristy areas in your nearby city, or connecting with local Facebook groups for expats and Erasmus students.

4. Participating in online gaming with English speakers and conversing through a Bluetooth headset.

For those truly committed to enhancing their English conversation abilities, the option of securing an online tutor is worth exploring. Weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one lessons can significantly accelerate your progress and provide a structured learning schedule. Imagine hour-long sessions tailored to the specific topics you wish to discuss, working on the precise skills you need, all while receiving real-time feedback. This represents a fast-track route to improving your English conversation skills.

Start with a phrasebook and work up

If you can already read this article but struggle to engage in English conversations, consider acquiring an English travel phrasebook. This might seem overly simple, but phrasebooks encompass those essential “survival” phrases that can sometimes be overlooked in academic textbooks and courses. It’s a technique employed by Benny Lewis, the mind behind FluentIn3Months, to swiftly attain a conversational level in a new language every other month!

A phrasebook equips you with precisely the language needed for basic conversations. Memorizing complete sentences, including practical questions and answers, alleviates the anxiety of improvising complex conjugations on the spot. The assurance of having a reservoir of 100% accurate conversational phrases at your disposal can significantly boost your confidence and encourage you to explore more of the English language knowledge concealed within your mind.

Stop focusing on grammar

If your primary objective in English learning is to attain conversational fluency rapidly, it’s advisable to distance yourself from grammar textbooks. The intricacies of English grammar can be so convoluted that they often appear as the most formidable obstacle to fluency. The temptation is to believe that if you dedicate enough time to studying the patterns and exceptions, a breakthrough will eventually occur. However, spoken English significantly varies from textbook English. In certain instances, adhering to English grammar rigorously can unintentionally reveal that you are not a native speaker.

Listen to podcasts in English

Were you aware that listening constitutes the most frequently used communication skill? According to research conducted by the University of Missouri, 40% of our communication time is devoted to listening, whereas only 30% is spent on speaking. The ability to hear and comprehend the person you’re conversing with holds equal importance in English conversations as speaking skills do.

Listening to podcasts proves to be an excellent method for growing comfortable with spoken English and acquiring new vocabulary. Furthermore, they serve as valuable tools for enhancing your English listening skills while multitasking—such as preparing dinner, commuting to work, or tidying up the house. Here are our recommendations for the top 12 podcasts suitable for ESL learners.

Work on your writing skills

Among the four language skills, writing closely resembles speaking. When you engage in English writing, you’re crafting sentences, as opposed to solely reacting to sentences you hear or read. By refining your English writing abilities, you gain practice in selecting the appropriate vocabulary, word order, and grammar essential for effective communication. It can be viewed as a practice session for speaking: deliberate and controlled, with ample time for revisions and corrections if errors occur.

If you find that you rarely allocate time for writing in English, it’s worth noting that self-study textbooks and online courses often don’t incorporate writing exercises in the same manner as reading or listening exercises. This is because written paragraphs can’t be self-assessed using an answer key. Consequently, this crucial skill is easily overlooked. A helpful strategy is to maintain a daily journal in English. This not only assists in identifying any vocabulary gaps in your daily life but also instills the habit of conjugating verbs and constructing sentences. When the time comes for speaking, sentence formation will become more second nature!

Conclusion

With the information provided, you should now be well-equipped to make a well-informed decision regarding which English conversation course aligns with your objectives and justifies your investment of time and money. Essentially, these courses tend to fall into two categories: those centered around interactive online lessons and those based on pre-recorded videos and associated exercises.

It’s evident that you’ll require practice in speaking to excel in spoken English. Therefore, the most effective course is one that you complete. If you come across a video course that particularly motivates you or employs a unique teaching approach that resonates with your learning style, don’t hesitate to pursue it. However, if you opt for a conversation course that lacks opportunities for speaking practice, it would be wise to consider complementing it with some online lessons or English corporate training.

Whichever course you ultimately select, I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit of achieving fluency in English!