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English Conversation Courses Designed to Improve Chatting Skills

English Conversation Courses Designed to Improve Chatting Skills

International English Test Editorial Team·20 Oct 2023·5 min read

Are you struggling to hold conversations in English, even though you understand the grammar? You’re not alone. Many learners can read and write English well, but lack fluency when chatting in real life. That’s why English conversation courses are crucial for improving your confidence, fluency, and comprehension in spoken English.

In this article, we explore the best English conversation courses online, offer tips to improve your conversation skills, and show you how to certify your level with the International English Test (IET).


🎯 What’s Your English Level?

Before selecting a conversation course, find out where you stand.

✅ Take the English Level Test and receive an official CEFR certificate (A1 to C2) for your speaking, listening, grammar, and vocabulary skills.

“Our website was featured in the article titled: 31 English Conversation Activities for Adults (All Levels!), published on Twinkl’s educational platform. Visit the publisher’s site to explore free educational resources.


🗣️ Top 7 English Conversation Courses Online

Not all courses are created equal. Here are some of the best options available, with a breakdown of their strengths:


1. FluentUBest for Authentic English Content

FluentU uses interactive videos from real-life English media (movie trailers, music videos, business content) to improve your listening and vocabulary. The platform encourages immersive learning and provides a “video dictionary” to look up any word instantly.

Pros:

  • Immersive experience with real-world English
  • Flashcards and subtitles for vocabulary building

Cons:

  • No live conversation practice
  • On the expensive side: $24–30/month

2. The British Council – English OnlineBest for Live Group Classes

The British Council offers live group classes and a subscription-based learning model. You’ll learn from expert teachers, engage with other learners, and access interactive learning materials.

Pros:

  • Trusted global education provider
  • Flexible class times with live tutors

Cons:

  • Requires monthly or annual payment plans

3. EngVidBest for Free Resources

EngVid is a free video platform with hundreds of lessons on pronunciation, phrasal verbs, grammar, and real-life topics.

Pros:

  • 100% free
  • Lessons for all levels: beginner to advanced

Cons:

  • No real-time interaction
  • Self-guided learning only

4. Fluent in 3 Months ChallengeBest for Fast Speaking Progress

Created by polyglot Benny Lewis, this program pushes you to have a 15-minute conversation in English after just three months. It includes video lessons, self-study plans, community support, and optional private coaching.

Pros:

  • Goal-oriented with structured support
  • Great for motivation and immersion

Cons:

  • High price: $397–$997
  • Demands time and commitment

5. UdemyBest for Self-Paced Learning

Udemy offers thousands of pre-recorded video lessons, including highly specific courses for English conversation.

Pros:

  • Affordable and flexible
  • Covers niche topics and casual English

Cons:

  • No real-time speaking practice
  • Mixed quality depending on instructor

6. ABA EnglishBest for Full-Course Structure

ABA English includes 144 lessons based on CEFR levels (A1–C1), each starting with a short film followed by exercises. It also includes free webinars with live tutors and a mobile app for learning on the go.

Pros:

  • Comprehensive learning structure
  • Visual and practical format

Cons:

  • Limited live practice without upgrade
  • Subscription required for certificates and full access

7. Perfectly SpokenBest for Free + Pro Plans

Perfectly Spoken gives you access to over 300 free lessons, live classes via social media, and pro speaking groups with tutors in the paid plans.

Pros:

  • Lots of free video content
  • Pro plan includes speaking groups

Cons:

  • 1-on-1 lessons cost extra
  • Interface may require exploration

✅ Validate Your Speaking Skills with International English Test

Learning to chat confidently in English is powerful — but having proof of your English level can open doors to jobs, visas, and studies.

Why choose the International English Test (IET)?

  • 💬 AI-powered Speaking Test – Assesses pronunciation, intonation, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary
  • 🌍 CEFR-Aligned Certification – From A1 to C2 levels
  • 💻 Fully Online – No appointments needed
  • 💰 Affordable: Just £9.99
  • 📜 Choose certificate validity: 1 year, 2 years, or lifetime
  • 🏛️ IET is an Associate Member of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe)

👉 Take the Speaking Test now and receive your certificate in minutes.


💡 5 Methods to Improve English Conversation Skills

1. Practice with a Partner

  • Use platforms like Tandem or HelloTalk
  • Join English-speaking groups or clubs
  • Hire an online tutor for personalized feedback

2. Use a Phrasebook

Memorize useful sentences and expressions from phrasebooks — it’s a fast-track to speaking fluently in everyday scenarios.

3. Focus Less on Grammar

Overthinking grammar can slow you down. Speak freely, and fine-tune grammar as you gain confidence.

4. Listen to Podcasts

Listening improves comprehension and pronunciation. Great options for ESL learners include The English We Speak, Luke’s English Podcast, and ESL Pod.

5. Write to Speak Better

Writing daily (journals, messages, emails) strengthens sentence structure and vocabulary recall — both essential for fluent conversation.


📌 Conclusion

The right English conversation course can take your speaking skills from basic to fluent. Whether you prefer immersive video content (FluentU), free instructor lessons (EngVid), or structured group classes (British Council), there’s a solution that fits your goals and budget.

Once you’ve gained confidence, don’t forget to validate your skills with the International English Test — your trusted partner for online, AI-evaluated English certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

EngVid is the strongest free option, offering hundreds of video lessons on pronunciation, phrasal verbs, grammar, and real-life topics for every level from beginner to advanced. The trade-off is that it is self-guided with no real-time interaction. Perfectly Spoken is another good free choice, giving access to over 300 free lessons plus live classes shared via social media before you pay for anything.
FluentU sits on the expensive side at roughly 24 to 30 dollars per month. It uses interactive videos drawn from real English media such as movie trailers, music videos, and business content, and includes a video dictionary so you can look up any word instantly. The main drawback is that it offers no live conversation practice, so you build listening and vocabulary rather than speaking.
The Fluent in 3 Months Challenge was created by polyglot Benny Lewis, and it pushes you to hold a 15-minute conversation in English after just three months. It bundles video lessons, self-study plans, community support, and optional private coaching. It is goal-oriented and immersive, but it carries a high price of 397 to 997 dollars and demands real time and commitment.
ABA English includes 144 lessons built around CEFR levels from A1 to C1, with each lesson opening with a short film followed by exercises. It also offers free webinars with live tutors and a mobile app for learning on the go. Live practice is limited unless you upgrade, and a subscription is required for certificates and full access to the course.
Overthinking grammar slows you down because you pause to check every rule instead of keeping the conversation moving. Speaking freely and fine-tuning grammar later, as your confidence grows, builds fluency faster. The post pairs this with using a phrasebook to memorise useful everyday expressions, which gives you ready-made sentences so you spend less energy constructing each phrase from scratch.
The post recommends The English We Speak, Luke's English Podcast, and ESL Pod as strong options for ESL learners. Listening to podcasts improves both comprehension and pronunciation by exposing you to natural spoken English. It also suggests writing daily through journals, messages, and emails, since regular writing strengthens sentence structure and vocabulary recall that feed directly into fluent speaking.
International English Test

International English Test Editorial Team

ALTE Associate Member · UK English assessment provider · Est. 2023

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