Learning English On The Internet: How, Why and What Tools Are Available

As is the case with many other things in life, the best way to learn English is to practice a lot. However, it can be tedious to study from books, so here are some interactive ways and resources to learn English online.

Talk to people through online chat. Talking with native and non-native English speakers is a good way to practice your written English in a low-key environment. This method works especially well if you are shy about speaking in public; the anonymity of the Internet will gradually give you the confidence you will need in order to speak in public. Joining chat rooms such as thechatpage.com will allow you to discuss almost any topic you can think of, and you can also post in the forums there. Having a pen pal through email can also be a good way to practice your English, and you could also make a new friend!

Online grammar exercises provide a more interactive and fun approach. You can try any of the various exercise sites, and you will find quizzes where you will get graded and have your corrections explained. There are also EFL communities where volunteer teachers can answer your grammar queries. Communities like Englishforums.com are an ideal way to find and talk with others who are learning the language, just like you.

Online radio provides you with an ideal listening exercise. Understanding native English speakers and their various accents is one of the most difficult parts of learning the language, according to many EFL learners. Listen to English radio stations over the Internet- the hosts usually talk fast which can make the exercise harder, but your listening skills will be sharpened and you will be better equipped to talk to native speakers over the phone or in person. It's also a good way to learn about cultural topics and learn new words.

If you don't have all-the-time access to the Internet, you can download podcasts and listen to them at your leisure. You can also pause the podcast while you find the meaning of a new word or take notes. There are a variety of sites online that offer podcasts just for EFL students, and they usually come in 15-20 minute audio files with transcripts, vocabulary, notes and even comprehension questions. The extras make podcasts a good way to learn English even for lower-level learners.

The above resources will hopefully allow you to find more inventive ways to practice English outside books and the classroom. Face-to-face talk is the best way, but these are really great alternatives and they will all help you become more confident and fluent in English.