In this article, we will be looking at the 20 best online ESL courses and programs.
What is ESL and Why is it Important?
ESL or English as a second language refers to programs, courses, or certifications designed specifically for non-native speakers willing to learn English. English is one of the fastest-growing languages. According to an article by Tomedes, the number of English speakers in the world increased from 1.05 billion in 2011 to 1.30 billion in 2021. A growth rate of 23.31% was observed in the number of English speakers in just a decade. English has been the fastest-growing language over the past 100 years as well. Based on the historical evidence, the number of English speakers can be expected to further increase over time.
Countries with English as an official language in the world are logically inclined towards employees who can speak and understand English. For this reason, the demand for ESL courses and programs is also increasing. According to an article by Eurostat, in 2021, almost 88% of all students in the European Union were learning English as a second language. The numbers were as high as 99% in many countries including Spain and Malta for learning English as a foreign language. 97% of the students were enrolled in general programs for learning English in the EU and 79% were enrolled in vocational programs in 2021. Therefore, ESL courses can help a person in various ways from landing a better job, moving to a new country, or communicating with people in a country you are traveling to.
Online Language Learning
Online language learning platforms provide an easy and accessible way to enhance language skills from the comfort of your home. According to a report by Spherical Insights, the global online language-learning market was valued at $15.24 Billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.68% from 2023 to 2033 and reach $54.95 Billion by the end of the projected period. The global online language learning market is expected to grow significantly due to trends including tourism, increased job opportunities, and the focus on bilingual education. Globalization is also expected to fuel the growth of the market. Europe is predicted to be the fastest-growing region in the global online language-learning market throughout the forecasted period.
Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) is one of the most prominent online language learning industry names. It offers a mobile app and a website that allows users to learn a new language free of cost. On December 4, 2023, the company published a report noting the trends in language learning based on learner behaviors. English was the most popular language among learners in 122 countries marking an increase of three countries compared to 119 in 2022. 40% of the users from India and 54% from China mentioned that their motivation for learning English is for education. Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) has incorporated several immersive features into its design to create a more engaging experience including experience points and in-app currency.
The popularity of English has led to Duolingo Inc (NASDAQ:DUOL) offering almost twenty English language courses for ESL students. The rationale for having more than one English language course is to cater to the unique needs of ESL students based on their country of origin. Here are some comments from the company’s earnings call:
“We have an English course for Chinese speakers and that’s a different course than the English course for Spanish speakers, etc. So we have about 20 English courses. And, if you look three years ago or so, they got you to different levels of proficiency, each one of these courses, and none of them got you to a very high proficiency. What we have done over the last couple of years, and this is one of the major achievements of this company, is we’ve made it so that our English courses, in particular 18 of our 20 English courses now, get you pretty high proficiency. So that’s the first thing we needed to do is get people to more advanced levels because English, in particular, English learners usually are at more advanced levels than other languages.”
Apart from online websites and mobile apps, online courses from universities and professionals are also available. These courses use proper techniques for teaching English as a second language and often offer certification on completion. People seeking to learn English for formal endeavors and career progression are likely to enroll in online ESL courses. With that, let’s take a look at the best online ESL courses and programs.
20 Best Online ESL Courses and Programs
Our Methodology
To make our list of the 20 best online ESL courses and programs, we initially sifted through ten sources that listed or ranked them and compiled an initial list. We then looked up the number of reviews and average ratings for each of these programs. For the programs available on more than one source, we aggregated the number of reviews and took averages of ratings across platforms. The average ratings have been used as the secondary metric and the number of reviews have been used as a primary metric. For our list, we have only considered programs that had an average rating of more than 4.0 and the number of reviews greater than 100. For the programs with the same number of reviews, we have used the ratings as a tie-breaker.
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20 Best Online ESL Courses and Programs
20. Teach English: Intermediate Grammar Specialization by the University of California
Average Rating: 4.3
Total Number of Reviews: 141
The Teach English: Intermediate Grammar Specialization offered by the University of California, Irvine is designed for teachers with at least an intermediate understanding of English grammar who want to improve their grammar teaching skills. The specialization teaches how to use online videos and activities created by ESL teachers at the university. It helps them better their understanding of the language while also enhancing their skills.
19. Preparing to Network in English by the University of Washington
Average Rating: 4.2
Total Number of Reviews: 148
The University of Washington offers a free online course called Preparing to Network in English. The course has been designed for people looking to enhance their English speaking and writing skills, especially for networking and job hunting. It helps learners understand the importance of networking and provides practical strategies to expand their social network and professional connections. It is one of the best online ESL courses and programs.
18. TOEFL iBT Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide by ETS
Average Rating: 4.6
Total Number of Reviews: 176
TOEFL iBT Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide course by ETS is a comprehensive online test preparation course designed to help English language learners improve their skills. The course has a special focus on preparing non-native speakers for their TOEFL iBT test. It is one of the best online ESL courses and programs. The course covers all sections of the test including reading and listening.
17. Upper-Intermediate English: Business and Modern Life by UPValencia
Average Rating: 4.6
Total Number of Reviews: 500
Upper-Intermediate English: Business and Modern Life is a course by UPValencia. The course has been designed to advance the skills of intermediate English language students further. The course uses a variety of activities including interviews and discussions on different topics to nurture the skills of its students.
16. Exploring English: Shakespeare by British Council
Average Rating: 4.7
Total Number of Reviews: 505
Exploring English: Shakespeare is a course by the British Council. The course allows the students to build their English language skills by delving into the life and writing of the famous classical writer, Shakespeare. The material has been designed for non-native English speakers at an intermediate level of English proficiency.
15. Speak English Better with Natives and Abroad Now by Joshua
Average Rating: 4.5
Total Number of Reviews: 547
Speak English Better with Natives and Abroad Now! by Joshua is designed to help English learners improve their conversational skills and ability to communicate. The course offers practical tips to enable students to better communicate with other English speakers. The course also helps students improve their pronunciation and enunciation.
14. Teaching EFL/ESL Reading: A Task Based Approach by University of London
Average Rating: 4.7
Total Number of Reviews: 547
Teaching EFL/ESL Reading: A Task Based Approach course by the University of London is a 6-week online course that focuses on teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. The course uses a task-based approach to further the skills of its students. It establishes task-based learning as an approach to enhance the learning outcomes of students in an ESL classroom.
13. Speak English Like a Native: Troubleshooting Course for ESL by Gabby Wallace
Average Rating: 4.5
Total Number of Reviews: 623
Speak English Like a Native: Troubleshooting Course for ESL by Gabby Wallace is a unique and engaging course designed to enable students to enhance their English communication skills. It is one of the best online ESL courses and programs. The course aims to fill in gaps in ESL skills while also familiarizing the students with American culture and social skills.
12. Learn English: The Alphabet and Verb “Be” by Advance Learning
Average Rating: 4.7
Total Number of Reviews: 649
Learn English: The Alphabet and Verb ‘Be’ is offered by Advance Learning. It is one of the best online ESL courses and programs. The course has been designed to focus on the very basics of the English language including short phrases and greetings. The course helps students have a better understanding of pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
11. English for the Workplace by British Council
Average Rating: 4.8
Total Number of Reviews: 779
English for the Workplace by the British Council is a course designed to help students better perform in the workplace. It covers the basics of a variety of topics including finding a job, giving interviews, and interacting with colleagues. The course includes videos, audio recordings, quizzes, and discussions.
10. Complete English Course: Learn English Language by ABCedu
Average Rating: 4.1
Total Number of Reviews: 2,975
The Complete English Course by ABCedu offers beginners and intermediate learners comprehensive language learning. The course covers various aspects of language for new learners ranging from grammar to pronunciation. It is designed to help beginner-level students achieve fluency in English grammar and spoken over time. The course includes interactive video lessons, downloadable PDF materials, and practice tests.
9. English Speaking Patterns Mastery: Upgrade your English
Average Rating: 4.7
Total Number of Reviews: 3,910
English Speaking Patterns Mastery: Upgrade your English course aims to enhance spoken English skills by teaching common English patterns. The course has been designed to make non-native speakers develop native-like skills. The course includes lectures, speaking, and listening practices. The course also aims to build confidence among its students.
8. English Grammar – Comparisons & Word Order by Advance Learning
Average Rating: 4.5
Total Number of Reviews: 6,305
English Grammar – Comparisons & Word Order by Advance Learning is an ESL course designed to help students how to use comparative words and phrases correctly in English. The course employs exercises and audio clips for teaching students the pronunciations of different words and building confidence in their skills.
7. Speak English Professionally: In Person, Online & On the Phone by Georgia Institute of Technology
Average Rating: 4.7
Total Number of Reviews: 10,050
Speak English Professionally: In Person, Online & On the Phone by Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the best online ESL courses and programs. The course has been designed to enhance the skills of non-native English speakers, especially in a professional setting. The course focuses on imparting skills using practical examples including group discussions, giving information, and responding to requests on the phone.
6. Learn English: Advanced Grammar and Punctuation Specialization by University of California
Average Rating: 4.8
Total Number of Reviews: 11,906
The Learn English: Advanced Grammar and Punctuation Specialization offered by the University of California. It is one of the best online ESL courses and programs. It is designed for non-native English speakers who want to improve their fluency or native speakers who want to enhance their accuracy. The specialization is self-paced and can be completed in approximately 5 months.
5. Teach English Now! Foundational Principles by Arizona State University
Average Rating: 4.9
Total Number of Reviews: 15,000
Teach English Now! Foundational Principles is a 6-week online course offered by Arizona State University. The course has been designed to equip ESL teachers to better navigate their classrooms. Through engaging metaphors and stories, the course covers 7 basic language learning paradigms including motivation.