Here are 11 English sites for learners where you can study English even without paying any money!
(Updated on 2020/12/08)
Japanese Websites
アルク(ARUKU)
NHKゴガク(NHK gogaku)
Either language
Duolingo
Lang-8
English web sites
The Japan Times Alpha
VOA Learning English – Voice of America
BBC Learning English
British Council: Learn English Online
TED
The Economist
Today’s topic is how you can learn English without any cost. There are English websites, enjoyable for all levels of leaners from starters to advanced.
You might wonder if it’s possible to lean English with no budget. I would like to say strongly “yes.” There are many high-quality websites with great features. Here are some sites and apps you can access through your devices which are totally free.
Some people may think they cannot get good quality materials unless they pay money. But that’s not the case. Anyone can learn proper English without incurring much cost.
I recommend a style of studying English for free wherever possible, which is the most suitable way for everyone. For example, Cambridge University and Oxford University websites are basically all free. Anyone can touch the highest level of education and knowledge for free. Also, NHK offers an English website written at a level suitable for students.
In my opinion, I’m not sure it’s a good way to lean English where students pay extra charges. It’s not good value for the money. By my nature, I want to control my spending. So I usually look for materials which have great value to buy or use for free, but I’m not stingy. Today, I will share some sites, and I’ll share some physical books in a later post.
Japanese Websites
アルク(ARUKU)
https://www.alc.co.jp/tg/articles/
Suitable users: starter to intermediate level
You can use a dictionary online (English to Japanese, Japanese to English) and read simple English articles for free.
My recommendation is “English Journal Online,” as it is written in very simple English. The page has trends, news, culture topics which you can enjoy while English.
Although, it seems that they only post book reviews for their own books. Their publication is famous for the cost efficiency, so purchasing the books might also be useful.
Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar
NHKゴガク(NHK gogaku)
https://www2.nhk.or.jp/gogaku/index.cgi
Suitable users: starter to upper-intermediate level
You can search TV shows and radio programs aired by NHK on the page. I recommend you to listen to one by one. You’re sure to find a suitable level and fun programs.
All programs are very well-crafted, but Radio Eikaiwa and the Kiso-Eigo series are perfect if you are intermediate level. My favorite programs are Jissen-Business English and English Time Trial. I like them because these programs are quite practical and offer useful phrases and vocabulary.
For people who don’t have a radio: you can get the Rajiru Rajiru app or NHK Gogaku app.
Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Either language
Duolingo
Suitable users: elementary
You can study English in several languages on this page. You can learn English grammar, vocabulary and more. It has an assessment test. In case you don’t know your level, you can take the test to check your ability.
Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Lang-8
Suitable users: starter to advanced
You can post articles on this site and get corrections from other users. If you give corrections to other users, you’ll get corrections from other users in return for your posts. It’s a great opportunity to actively write English.
Warning: other users are not guaranteed to be native English-speakers. There’s a risk of getting corrections from non-native English speakers. You might be better off only using this site to learn basic English vocabulary and grammar. If you don’t notice bad corrections, you might learn improper English.
Writing
English sites
The Japan Times Alpha
https://alpha.japantimes.co.jp/
Suitable users: elementary to beginner
This publisher is the oldest existing newspaper company in Japan. The news is written in simple English so you can easily understand it. It’s a superb online newspaper for when you would like to put political, financial or trendy topics in your studies.
*The Japan Times itself is suitable for intermediate level or more.
Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar
VOA Learning English – Voice of America
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
Suitable users: those with a TOEIC score above 500
This web site is a great chance for learning American English online. If you can understand English moderately, you’ll be able to enjoy it. It’s about current news from the United States, so you can become a well-informed person about the USA.
Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
BBC Learning English
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
Suitable users: intermediate to advanced
The BBC puts out information for English learners from the United Kingdom. The BBC is a one of the most well-known news broadcasters. The page is very easy to understand for English learners because it is targeted just for them.
Some people feel that British English is difficult compared to American English because Japanese English education mainly uses American English. The different accent might be weird for learners who are used to the American accent.
Anyway, I recommend this page to those who feel British English sounds more elegant and intellectual.
Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
British Council: Learn English Online
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/
Suitable users: intermediate to advanced
This page has British English, the same as the above content. The British Council is as renowned as The Cambridge University on the academic side. But almost no Japanese know the name. If you’d like to take on academic English, I rate it five stars.
Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Learn English Free – English Learning Online
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/learning-english/
Suitable users: intermediate to advanced
This is a page for English learners created by Cambridge University, widely thought of as the most prestigious university in the world. The site has various contents. Even if you feel your English is wonderful, you can surely find something new to learn.
This website also offers study materials for FCA and CAE (both Cambridge exams’ name).
Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
TED
Suitable users: advanced
TED is a video platform where you can watch presentations on new services, ideas, and business opportunites. Users can watch highly intelligent presentations with some strong opinions. It’s the hottest presentation venue for quality information, much of which is not widely known.
Who knows, someday you might be able to get on the stage.
Vocabulary, Grammar, Listening
Business
The Economist
Suitable users: advanced
This business news website is targeted at native English speakers.
For serious business people who would like to take on political topics, financial topics, or world trend.
If you are upper-intermediate or less, I would not suggest trying this site. It might make you lose confidence in your English ability.
Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar
How was today’s topic? These above sites are offered for free, and all contents are made by native speakers or fluent professionals.
My recommended learning style for every subject is to try searching for some cost-effectiveness materials. I hope this helps you learn English even on a budget!
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