Top 8 English Courses for Confident Conversations

English conversation courses are vital for anyone eager to elevate their language skills. These courses focus on the art of conversation, which is crucial for effectively using English in everyday situations.

In this blog post, we’ll highlight our favorite conversational English classes designed to boost your confidence and improve your speaking skills. Along with our top course recommendations, we’ll share valuable tips to help you feel more at ease in conversations. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your existing skills, keep reading to find the perfect course to elevate your English!

8 best English conversation courses to improve your skills

The internet is brimming with conversational English classes, but not all are created equal. We’ve curated a list of the top 8 courses to help you find the best fit for your learning needs, complete with a detailed overview of each option.

• LingualNeeds: Best for live 1-on-1 English conversation courses
• Udemy: Best for self-paced study
• ABA English: Best for available resources
• Perfectly Spoken: Best for video lessons
• FluentU: Best for finding English content
• The British Council: Best for group classes
• Engvid: Best for free material
• Fluentin3Months Challenge: Best for speaking quickly

1. LingualNeeds

The quickest path to mastering English conversation skills is straightforward: practice speaking English as often as you can! LingualNeeds simplifies this process, making it easy, affordable, and adaptable to your schedule. With LingualNeeds, you can effortlessly search for online English tutors, using filters to find the perfect match based on availability, accent, and specialization. Connect with your chosen tutor in our interactive LingualNeeds Classroom and start enhancing your conversational abilities today!

LingualNeeds stands out from typical English conversation courses with its flexible pricing model. You can explore a diverse database of tutors to find one that fits your budget, with rates starting as low as $10 per hour! Additionally, if you’re not satisfied with your lesson, you can easily request a refund or switch to a different tutor at no extra cost.

Experience the ultimate flexibility in your language learning journey with LingualNeeds’ personalized 1-on-1 online English classes and business English conversation courses. Collaborate with your tutor to follow a curriculum crafted by our expert team, which includes a unique vocabulary app, conversation templates, and tailored homework exercises. Alternatively, you can request a customized course that caters specifically to your individual goals and needs.

2. Udemy

If you’ve explored online learning, you’ve likely come across Udemy—a vast platform offering courses on nearly every subject imaginable. Whether you’re interested in English conversation or diving into palm-reading or astrophysics, Udemy features a diverse array of classes created by both seasoned professionals and enthusiastic hobbyists. The courses typically include pre-recorded video lessons paired with exercises, allowing you to learn at your own pace.

If you’re eager to engage in English discussions about a specific subject—like your career field or a beloved hobby—Udemy is an excellent resource, offering courses that delve into specialized topics. Additionally, you can find numerous courses focused on English conversation, where you’ll learn practical phrases and expressions perfect for everyday small talk.

These courses are perfect for those with a hectic schedule, allowing you to learn at your own pace from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection—even on your mobile phone. However, keep in mind that Udemy courses lack personal interaction, meaning you won’t receive feedback from instructors or engage in real-time conversations. To enhance your speaking skills, you’ll need to explore additional resources. Nonetheless, these courses are an excellent way to refresh your English vocabulary.

3. ABA English

ABA English positions itself as a dynamic digital language school. Unlike many online conversational English classes, it offers a unique approach with 144 pre-recorded video lessons, each featuring subtitles in your native language. Each lesson kicks off with a short film, followed by exercises designed to reinforce your learning. The comprehensive curriculum is divided into six stages, aligning with the CEFR levels from A1 to C1, providing a structured path to fluency.

ABA English stands out by providing free 20-minute interactive webinars led by experienced English teachers. While you’ll be sharing the spotlight with other learners, these sessions are a fantastic opportunity to enhance your conversation skills. You can easily access the course from your desktop or through ABA’s user-friendly, modern app.

A wealth of content is available at no cost, but to unlock the most valuable features—like certificates that validate your progress—a subscription is necessary. Priced at €19.99 per month, these subscriptions are on the pricier side, and if you’re interested in private online video lessons for more speaking practice, additional fees apply. Some users have reported difficulties when trying to cancel their memberships, so it’s wise to read the fine print. Nevertheless, many others express satisfaction with their courses. To determine if ABA is the right fit for you, consider trying out the free version first.

4. Perfectly Spoken

Perfectly Spoken is an engaging online English course designed to enhance your speaking skills. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you’ll want to spend a few minutes exploring all the options and discovering the pricing to find the perfect fit for your learning journey.

Perfectly Spoken provides a wealth of free resources to enhance your English learning experience! You can explore around 300 video lessons without needing to share any payment information. Additionally, check out their “mini English lesson” videos on Instagram and take advantage of a flexible 3-hour weekly study plan tailored to your needs. Plus, by following Perfectly Spoken on Facebook, you can participate in live, interactive lessons that bring learning to life!

For those seeking a bit more, the basic “Student Plan” is available for just $10 a month. While this package doesn’t include personalized speaking practice, it offers excellent value. You’ll gain access to a variety of engaging exercises focused on current events, vocabulary resources, quizzes, and interactive masterclasses to enhance your learning experience.

For those seeking additional conversation practice, Perfectly Spoken provides a “Pro plan” starting at just $30/month. This plan includes practice tests following each video lesson and access to “practice speaking groups,” where you can engage in video calls with fellow students and a teacher to apply what you’ve learned in real time. Additionally, you have the option to purchase one-on-one online lessons, though they can be priced at up to $50 for a 50-minute session. If budget is a concern, you might want to consider exploring other online tutoring services that offer more flexible pricing options.

5. FluentU

FluentU stands out as a dynamic language learning platform that utilizes subtitled, interactive videos to enhance your English skills. Instead of traditional video lessons, it immerses you in real-life English through engaging content like movie trailers, music videos, and business-related clips. Promoted as “English immersion online,” FluentU emphasizes authentic spoken language, making it an excellent choice for honing your conversational abilities beyond the confines of textbook grammar.

FluentU is available on both desktop and mobile app, making it easy to learn on the go. One standout feature is the “video dictionary,” which allows you to hover over any word for its definition and see it in context. Additionally, you can create personalized flashcards from vocabulary found in their videos. Overall, FluentU offers an engaging and enjoyable alternative to traditional conversation courses.

FluentU is an effective resource for learning spoken English in context, though it does come with a higher price tag. If you opt for an annual plan paid upfront, it will set you back $240, which breaks down to $24 per month. Alternatively, if you choose the monthly payment option, the total for the year rises to $360, or $30 per month. Keep in mind, if you prefer flexibility and don’t want to commit for a full year, you’ll be paying about $1 for each day you access the course!

To effectively learn to speak English, it’s essential to complement your studies with speaking practice, in addition to using FluentU. The good news is that purchasing access to the English course also unlocks all of their other language courses. So, if you’re considering learning Japanese as well, it turns into a great deal!

6. The British Council: English Online

If you’re studying English online, you’ve likely discovered the fantastic free resources available from the British Council. These tools can significantly enhance your learning experience!

While it’s not designed for complete beginners, this program provides a range of courses from A2 to C1 levels. What sets it apart is its remarkable flexibility; you have the freedom to tailor your learning experience by selecting the modules that best suit your needs, choosing your study schedule, and determining how much time you dedicate to learning each week.

What sets this English conversation course apart from typical online video lessons is its interactive format: 55-minute live video-chat classes with up to ten students from across the globe. This real-time engagement is perfect for honing your speaking and listening skills, allowing you to practice conversation in a dynamic and supportive environment.

This program offers a premium experience, with prices starting at $79 per month for 5 group lessons, £129 for 10 lessons, and £159 for 15 lessons. It’s worth noting that the instruction will be in British English, which is less commonly used in media compared to American English. However, investing in this program means that you’ll receive a certification from a highly respected institution, validating your English proficiency.

7. EngVid

For anyone seeking a free English conversation course, EngVid is a must-visit resource. While the website may have a dated appearance, don’t let that deter you; it offers a treasure trove of valuable learning materials that can significantly enhance your language skills.

Discover a comprehensive collection of pre-recorded video lessons led by experienced English tutors, covering a wide range of topics tailored for learners at all levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each lesson zeroes in on a specific subject and is paired with an engaging interactive quiz to reinforce your understanding.

A wealth of resources is available for enhancing English pronunciation, such as videos focusing on the OO and U sounds, as well as practical vocabulary guides like “12 Phrasal Verbs for Meetings.” These tools are particularly valuable for anyone looking to improve their conversational skills. However, it’s important to note that the learning process is entirely self-directed, allowing you to progress at your own pace.

If you’re seeking a structured course with a clear progression and sequential modules to guide you, you might find this offering lacking. Additionally, there’s no chance to engage in real-life conversations with a speaking partner to apply your skills. However, despite these limitations, you can access a wealth of valuable content on English conversation at no cost!

8. Fluentin3Months Challenge

Designed by renowned polyglot and language enthusiast Benny Lewis, who has mastered seven languages himself, the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge is all about quick language acquisition. The goal is straightforward: within three months, you’ll engage in a 15-minute conversation in a foreign language—specifically, English in your case. Get ready to jumpstart your speaking skills and embrace the adventure of learning!

Embark on your learning journey with a comprehensive video course divided into 10 engaging modules, allowing you to create a personalized self-study schedule. Additionally, enjoy 90 days of interaction with an online community for enhanced English practice, maintain a daily journal to track your progress, and connect with a Language Coach through video chat. You’ll also receive immersion resource kits and much more to enrich your experience!

The course comes with a hefty price tag: $397 for the standard package and $997 for the gold package, which includes added features like private sessions with a Language Coach. While it doesn’t guarantee an easy journey, it offers significant benefits for anyone eager to engage in genuine real-world conversations!

7 methods for improving English conversation skills

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We trust you’ve gathered valuable insights about the various English conversation courses at your disposal, empowering you to make an informed decision. However, remember that self-study can significantly accelerate your progress! Here are our top tips to help you start speaking with confidence.

1. Practice with a partner as much as possible

Mastering English conversation is a skill that truly flourishes through practice. While many apps and websites offer shortcuts to fluency, nothing compares to the experience of speaking live with a partner. The good news? Connecting with someone to enhance your English conversation skills has never been easier! Here are some effective ways to get started:

• Finding a language exchange partner, online or in person.
• Spending more time talking to the English speakers in your life, over the phone or in person.
• Connect with English speakers by exploring tourist hotspots in your city or joining local Facebook groups for expats and Erasmus students.
• Online gaming with English speakers, chatting via bluetooth headset.

If you’re committed to enhancing your English conversation skills, hiring an online tutor could be a game-changer. Regular one-on-one sessions, whether weekly or bi-weekly, can significantly accelerate your learning and provide a structured schedule. Imagine dedicating an hour to discuss topics that interest you while honing the specific skills you need, all with immediate feedback to guide your progress. This focused approach is your fast track to mastering English conversation!

2. Start with a phrasebook and work up

If you’re reading this but struggle with speaking English, consider picking up an English travel phrasebook. While it may seem basic, these phrasebooks are packed with essential “survival” phrases that academic textbooks often overlook. This approach is favored by Benny Lewis, the creator of FluentIn3Months, who successfully reaches conversational fluency in a new language every couple of months!

A phrasebook equips you with essential language tools for basic conversations, allowing you to memorize key questions and answers. This approach removes the stress of scrambling for complex conjugations in real-time. With a solid repertoire of accurate conversational phrases at your disposal, you’ll boost your confidence and feel empowered to explore more of the English language that you already know.

3. Learn some filler and connecting phrases

Have you ever tried to transcribe an audio recording of a casual conversation? If you have, you likely realized that much of the dialogue consists of filler words—like “umm,” “ahh,” “like,” and “so”—which give speakers a moment to gather their thoughts. Additionally, many phrases serve as mere connectors without adding real substance, such as “well, to be honest,” “at the end of the day,” and “I don’t know about you, but…” Understanding these patterns can help you streamline your transcriptions and focus on the key points of the discussion.

By mastering a handful of common phrases that native English speakers often use, you’ll not only sound more fluent but also gain valuable moments to gather your thoughts while tackling those tricky verb conjugations!

4. Perfect your phonemes

Even if you speak English fluently, there are times when native speakers may still struggle to understand you, which can be incredibly frustrating. If you find this happening frequently, it might be a good idea to focus on improving your English accent.

To enhance your English pronunciation, it’s essential to return to the fundamentals. Focus on mastering the basic sounds of the language, which involves ensuring that you can articulate all English phonemes clearly. This doesn’t require relearning the alphabet but rather refining your ability to produce each distinct sound accurately.

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What exactly are phonemes? If you’ve ever noticed that some English letters produce multiple sounds—like the letter “X,” which can sound like “e,” “kk,” or “sss”—then you’re on the right track! Phonemes are the smallest sound units in the English language, forming the building blocks of letters and words. To deepen your understanding, check out a YouTube video that covers various English phonemes and practice along. This exercise will help you pinpoint the sounds you find challenging, allowing you to refine them and strengthen the muscles in your mouth for a clearer English accent!

5. Stop focusing on grammar

If your primary aim is to achieve conversational fluency in English quickly, it’s time to set aside those grammar textbooks. The intricacies of English grammar can be daunting and often become a significant barrier to fluency. While it might seem like mastering the rules and exceptions will help you succeed, spoken English operates differently than what you find in textbooks. In fact, using perfect grammar can sometimes reveal that you’re a non-native speaker! Focus instead on engaging in conversation to improve your fluency more naturally.

When studying English academically, one key rule is to steer clear of run-on sentences. Each sentence should consist of a subject (noun) and a verb (action), but importantly, it should convey only one complete idea. For instance, if you were thrilled about an upcoming party and wanted to express that in grammatically correct English, you would say:

Last night, I attended an unforgettable party that truly had it all! The dance floor was transformed by an enchanting smoke machine, creating a lively atmosphere. To sweeten the experience, a delightful chocolate fountain was available, tempting everyone with its rich goodness. The energy was contagious, and we danced the night away until 4 AM!

But, if they were excited, a native English speaker might not bother separating their thoughts into multiple sentences.

Last night, I attended an unforgettable party that featured an amazing smoke machine and a delightful chocolate fountain. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone danced the night away until 4 AM!

The solution to this problem is pretty liberating: stop studying the rules — get out there and break them!

6. Listen to podcasts in English

Did you know that listening is the most commonly used communication skill? A study from the University of Missouri reveals that we dedicate 40% of our communication time to listening, compared to just 30% for speaking. Mastering the art of listening is just as crucial for effective conversations in English as developing your speaking abilities. Understanding your conversation partner enhances the overall exchange and fosters meaningful dialogue.

Podcasts offer an enjoyable way to enhance your spoken English skills and expand your vocabulary. They serve as excellent resources for practicing listening comprehension even while you’re multitasking—whether you’re cooking dinner, commuting, or tidying up your home. Check out our top 12 podcast recommendations specifically designed for ESL learners to boost your language journey!

7. Work on your writing skills

Among the four essential language skills, writing is most similar to speaking. When you write in English, you create sentences instead of just reacting to what you hear or read. By honing your English writing skills, you’ll practice selecting the right vocabulary, arranging words effectively, and mastering grammar—all crucial for clear communication. Think of writing as a rehearsal for speaking: it allows you to take your time, refine your thoughts, and correct any errors before you express yourself verbally.

Are you struggling to find time for writing in English? Unlike reading or listening exercises in self-study textbooks and online courses, writing tasks often lack self-assessment options, making it easy to overlook this essential skill. To remedy this, consider starting a daily journal in English. This practice will not only help you pinpoint gaps in your everyday vocabulary but also make you more comfortable with verb conjugation and sentence structure. As a result, when it’s time to speak, crafting sentences will become second nature!

Conclusion

Now that you’ve gathered the essential information, you’re better equipped to choose an English conversation course that suits your needs and budget! Generally, these courses can be divided into two main types: those featuring engaging, interactive online lessons and those that rely on pre-recorded videos and exercises.

To truly excel at speaking English, regular practice is essential. Choose a course that not only captivates your interest but also fits your learning style—whether it’s an engaging video series or an unconventional teaching method, commit to it! However, if you opt for a conversation course lacking in speaking practice, it’s wise to enhance your learning with additional online lessons or corporate English training. This combination will ensure you gain the skills you need effectively.

Whatever course you pick, good luck with learning English fluently!