Learning to speak English is important, but not everyone has the time to take classes or schedule in-person lessons with a private tutor. As technology advances, people are turning to their mobile devices to get the news and information they need. With applications for your smartphone, tablet, or personal computer, you have a world of knowledge right at your fingertips. So why not use an English speaking app to improve your English?
There are dozens of English speaking apps available for PC, iOS, and Android devices, but they all vary in price, quality, and versatility. Some students want an app that caters to beginners, while others want an app that allows them to practice speaking English at an advanced level. So, to help you find the right app for you, here is our list of the 10 best English speaking apps for non-native speakers:
Free English Speaking Apps
1. Speaking English Practice
“Speaking English Practice” uses virtual conversation tools, and is designed to prepare non-native speakers for real-world interactions. The English speaking practice exercises here are focused on conversation. You can practice casual conversations spanning a wide range of topics, from business English to daily life. Additionally, the app allows you to track your progress with voice recordings and preset difficulty levels.
Cost: Free (with in-app purchases)
Key Features: Short English conversation lessons, quizzes to test your knowledge, voice recording tool to track your progress
2. English Listening & Speaking
In order to speak English fluently, you also need to know how to listen. The “English Listening & Speaking” application uses thousands of lessons to improve listening comprehension, pronunciation, and vocabulary. This English speaking app also features 6 different difficulty levels, making it a great fit for almost any English student.
Cost: Free (with in-app purchases)
Key Features: Thousands of audio files, online and offline functionality, lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and common phrases
3. HelloTalk
“HelloTalk” is one of the most popular language exchange apps on the market. With text, voice, and video options, you can easily converse with native English speakers all over the world. HelloTalk also uses built-in software to help you translate and pronounce English words with greater accuracy.
Cost: Free (with in-app purchases)
Key Features: Live interactions with native English speakers, text to voice software, one-on-one and group chats
4. Apps4Speaking English
If you’re not ready to practice speaking English with a live person, “Apps4Speaking English” offers the next best thing: animated characters! Since you’re not speaking with real people, you can practice at your own pace, day or night. Apps4Speaking English puts particular emphasis on basic grammar structures, which gradually increase in complexity over time.
Cost: Free (with in-app purchases)
Platform: Android
Key Features: Speech recognition and feedback, 3 difficulty levels and 36 dialogues, lessons to improve grammar
Paid English Speaking Apps
5. iTalki
“iTalki” offers a more traditional learning atmosphere than most English speaking apps. With iTalki, students are paired with qualified, native English teachers for organized English lessons via video chat. Students can choose to start, stop, or continue taking classes at their own discretion, and iTalki’s service does not require any long-term membership fees. Instead, you only pay for the classes you want to take. It is important to note that you can find language exchange partners on iTalki free of charge, but you’ll still need to pay if you want to have structured lessons with a native English teacher.
Cost: ~$10-$15 per hour (varies by tutor)
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Key Features: One-on-one live lessons with a tutor, on-demand speaking practice, pay-as-you-go sessions (no membership fees)
6. ELSA
With over 3 million active users worldwide, ELSA is one of the best and most popular applications for practicing English. Using artificial intelligence technology, ELSA provides swift feedback to your speech inputs, allowing you to make corrections as you speak. ELSA has more than 1,200 fun lessons, most of which focus on improving pronunciation and grammar.
Cost: $3.99 per month or $29.99 per year
Key Features: Daily audio from native speakers, speech recognition and feedback, in-app dictionary
7. SpeakingPal
“SpeakingPal” makes speaking English fun and easy for students. No matter what level you’re at, SpeakingPal has lessons to help you advance. The video lessons are specifically designed to help you practice listening comprehension and pronunciation. Additionally, SpeakingPal administers regular quizzes to track your progress and motivate you to keep studying.
Cost: $24.99 per year
Key Features: Practice speaking with a video character, speech recognition and feedback, over 1,000 dialogs
8. English with Andy
“English with Andy” is a chatbot application that allows you to practice casual English conversation at your leisure. Lessons are designed to teach you about different grammar structures, pronunciation rules, and English idioms. However, English with Andy is not all about studying. This English speaking app also features dozens of games that help you learn and have fun at the same time!
Cost: $6.99 per month, $19.99 per year, or $29.99 lifetime subscription
Key Features: On-demand chatbot interactions, daily grammar lessons, dozens of conversation topics
9. Learn American English with Mondly
“Learn American English with Mondly” is not exclusively for speaking English. Instead, it takes a holistic approach to English. This English speaking app includes lessons on grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, pronunciation, and much more. In addition, Mondly features speech recognition technology to ensure that your pronunciation and intonation align with the speech of native English speakers.
Cost: $9.99 per month or $47.99 per year
Key Features: Audio files with professional voice actors, speech recognition and feedback, lessons on casual conversations and American idioms
10. Nativox
“Nativox” is different from most English speaking apps because it allows you to purchase individual packages based on your specific needs and goals. Whether you want to practice speaking English for the IELTS or improve your business English vocabulary, Nativox has a lesson package for you. Additionally, Nativox puts emphasis on intonation accuracy, so that you can sound like a native English speaker in no time!
Cost: $2.99 per lesson package
Platform: Web
Key Features: Intonation practice and feedback, in-app translations, video lessons on dozens of useful topics
Those are the top English speaking apps we recommend. Comment below if you have any other favorite apps to use for English learning!
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