What is the best platform to learn a new language?
It can be hard to choose the best place to learn English. People ask me all the time, "Mr. Khaled, which app is really worth my money?" as an ESL teacher with more than ten years of experience.
Today, I'm going to talk about the three best platforms that I tell my LearGlish students to use. One of these is perfect for you if you want to sound like a native speaker, pass a test, or improve your pronunciation.
| Platform | Best For... | Learning Style | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambly | Instant Fluency | Chatting with Natives | Try Cambly Now |
| italki | Personal Tutoring | Structured Lessons | Book Your Lesson |
| ELSA Speak | Perfect Accent | AI-Powered Training | Improve Your Accent |
1. Cambly: The Easy Way to Be Confident
Cambly is the best way to learn to speak English without being afraid. It puts you in touch with native speakers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia right away.
Why I think you should try it: You can talk to someone at any time of day or night. You can talk to someone who speaks English at any time.
Important Feature: All lessons are recorded. You can watch yourself later to find and fix your mistakes. This is a game-changer for making progress!
If you have "speaking anxiety," Cambly is a good tool to use. Talking to friendly native tutors is the best way to get to know someone.
2. italki: Your Language Journey Just for You
Italki is more than just an app; it's a place where professional teachers from all over the world can meet. Cambly is a place to have casual conversations, but italki is where you go to study.
Why I think you should try it: You can pick a teacher based on how much you can afford (starting at $5 per hour) and what you want to learn (IELTS prep, Business English, or Grammar).
One of the best things about this is that you get a personalized plan. Your teacher keeps track of how you're doing from lesson to lesson.
Teacher's Tip: If you need help getting ready for a test or want to follow a set path, italki is the best value for your money.
3. ELSA Speak: Your AI Pronunciation Coach
Not everyone can pay for a private tutor every day. That's where ELSA Speak comes in. It's an app that uses AI to help you sound more natural.
Why I think you should try it: It hears your voice and tells you exactly what sound you're saying wrong (is it the "P" or the "B"?).
Key Feature: Feedback in real time with 95% accuracy. It's like having a language expert with you all the time.
Tip from the teacher: Use ELSA for 10 minutes a day along with your Cambly or italki lessons. It's the best way to work out your mouth muscles every day.
Final Decision: Which One Is Right for You?
If you want to get better at speaking quickly, choose Cambly.
If you need a professional teacher and a set curriculum, choose [italki].
If you want to work on your accent and do it on your own, try ELSA Speak.
The best time to start was yesterday; the next best time is now. Pick your platform and get started on your way to fluency!