For many adult learners, the goal of learning English is usually to communicate fluently at work or in daily life. However, when faced with real-world challenges, especially situations like calling the doctor, many realize that their English skills are not as good as they thought.
Take, for example, Xiao Li had been living in the United States for over a year and thought he was getting by with his English. But when he had to negotiate a contract for his new job, he realized he was in over his head.”Xiao Li had no problem ordering food at his favorite restaurant or chatting casually with coworkers. But when it came to understanding business jargon and negotiating the terms of a contract, his English skills weren’t enough. Just likeXiao Li, many adults face this challenge — thinking they’re fine with basic English but struggling when it comes to more complex situations like work or healthcare. In these moments, having the right tools and learning resources can be a game-changer
Such challenges are not uncommon, especially for immigrant communities who need to communicate across cultures. The gap in language skills often becomes evident when the stakes are high, such as when trying to navigate healthcare or other critical services.
What Makes a Good ESL Class for Adults?
A good ESL course should do more than just teach the basics of the language. It should also cater to the specific needs of adult learners, offering practical skills that can be used in real-world situations. Here are a few key factors to consider when choosing an effective ESL course:
- Flexible Scheduling: Most adult learners have busy lives and work schedules, so courses should offer flexible timing options that fit into their daily routines.
- Relevant Content: Whether it’s for career advancement or everyday communication, the course content should align with the learner’s personal goals.
- Interactivity: Language learning requires a lot of practice, especially in speaking and listening. A course with strong interactive components can help learners improve through real conversations with instructors and peers.
- Qualified Instructors: Great teachers can adjust the course content based on learners’ needs and provide personalized feedback to help learners improve more quickly.
Top 7 Online ESL Classes That Help Adults Learn English Fast
1. Coursera
Target Audience
Ideal for adult learners who prefer systematic, academic courses, especially those seeking official certifications.
Advantages
- Partners with top universities worldwide, offering professional and authoritative courses
- Covers a wide range of topics including grammar, business English, and writing
- Free to audit courses, with paid options for certificates
Disadvantages
- Course pace is relatively fixed, with limited interaction
- Certificate fees can be expensive
User Feedback
Users generally find the content rich and suitable for self-disciplined learners. App Store rating: 4.8/5; Google Play rating: 4.7/5.
Website
2. Preply
Target Audience
Great for adults looking for personalized one-on-one tutoring, focusing on speaking and practical communication skills.
Advantages
- Wide selection of native-speaking tutors, with filtering options
- Flexible scheduling, perfect for busy individuals
- Free level test and trial lessons available
Disadvantages
- Limited free resources; more content requires payment
- Tutor prices vary, so budgeting is necessary
User Feedback
Website83% of students report rapid improvement in speaking skills through Preply. App Store rating: 4.82/5; Google Play rating: 4.5/5.
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3. italki
Target Audience
Suitable for adults who want to interact with a variety of teachers and experience different teaching styles.
Advantages
- Large pool of professional teachers and community tutors
- Flexible scheduling with options for professional or community tutors
- Transparent pricing, pay per lesson
Disadvantages
- Teacher quality varies, so careful selection is needed
- Learning experience depends heavily on the chosen tutor
User Feedback
Users appreciate the diversity and flexibility. App Store rating: 4.8/5; Google Play rating: 4.7/5.
Website
4. Cambly
Target Audience
Perfect for adults who want to practice speaking anytime, valuing freedom and instant communication.
Advantages
- Open 24/7, no appointment needed to join lessons
- Pay-per-minute pricing, ideal for short, flexible sessions
- No preparation required, jump straight into conversation
Disadvantages
- Relatively high cost for long-term learning
- Lacks structured course planning
User Feedback
Users praise its flexibility and immediacy. App Store rating: 4.8/5; Google Play rating: 4.7/5.
Website
5. EF English Live
Target Audience
Suitable for adults who want a structured English learning experience with both online and offline options.
Advantages
- Well-designed courses covering beginner to advanced levels
- Combines online and offline learning for a rich experience
- Focuses on practical speaking and business English
Disadvantages
- Higher cost, better suited for learners with a budgetUsers find the courses professional and ideal for long-term study. App Store rating: 4.7/5; Google Play rating: 4.5/5.
- Fixed course pace with limited flexibility
User Feedback
Users find the courses professional and ideal for long-term study. App Store rating: 4.7/5; Google Play rating: 4.5/5.
Website
6. Learnlight
Target Audience
Focused on business English, ideal for professionals and corporate training.
Advantages
- Offers one-on-one and small group virtual classes
- Provides extensive workplace-related learning materials
- Highly targeted and practical courses
Disadvantages
- Higher pricing, primarily aimed at corporate clients
- Limited resources for individual learners
User Feedback
Corporate users report positive experiences and practical courses. iOS rating: 4.5/5; Android rating: 4.3/5.
Website
7. Verbling
Target Audience
Great for adults who want to improve speaking skills with flexible teacher and schedule choices.
Advantages
- Rich global teacher pool
- Flexible booking, supports personalized learning
- Focus on conversation and communication skills
Disadvantages
- App stability issues; web version recommended
- Limited support for Android users
User Feedback
Users like the flexibility and teacher variety. iOS rating around 3.5-4.0/5.
Website
| Platform | Target Audience | Highlights |
| Coursera | Adults seeking structured academic courses | Courses from top universities covering topics like grammar, business English, etc. Available for free review or paid certification (Coursera ESL). |
| Preply | Adults of all levels, seeking personalized learning | One-on-one tutoring, flexible scheduling, teachers set their own rates (Preply Courses). |
| italki | Adults seeking one-on-one tutoring | Large community of teachers, flexible scheduling, options for professional teachers and community tutors (italki Teachers). |
| Cambly | Adults looking to practice speaking | Available 24/7, no preparation required, pay per minute, affordable rates (Cambly Tutors). |
| English First (EF) | Adults seeking comprehensive language courses | Renowned language school offering structured courses, both online and offline learning options (EF Online). |
| Learnlight | Professionals and businesses, focused on business English | Focus on business English, one-on-one or small group virtual classes, provides extensive learning materials (Learnlight Careers). |
| Verbling | Adults looking to practice speaking | Focus on conversation skills, global pool of teachers, flexible scheduling (Verbling Teachers). |
The Gap Between Learning English and Using English
There is often a significant gap between learning English in a classroom and using it in real-life situations. Most adult ESL courses focus on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, but few help learners apply what they’ve learned in high-pressure, real-world scenarios. For example, when in a doctor’s office, using the right medical terms, accurately describing symptoms, or understanding complicated insurance details, these tasks go beyond typical classroom exercises.
Adult learners may find that while they can understand grammar rules in class, they struggle to respond quickly in real-world situations. This is a critical “blind spot” in language learning.
Bridge the Gap with AI Phone
Bridge the Language Barrier Instantly with AI Phone’s Real-Time Translation
To help bridge this gap, AI Phone offers real-time phone call translation, supporting over 150 languages and accents. Whether you’re an immigrant or a business professional, AI Phone can help you translate conversations instantly, making communication smoother.
Translate Phone Calls in Real Time
AI Phone provides real-time two-way voice translation during calls, allowing users to speak in their native language while the other person hears their language, and vice versa. Whether you’re speaking to a doctor, lawyer, or customer, AI Phone eliminates language barriers.
Use English Naturally on WhatsApp, WeChat
AI Phone also supports voice and video call translation on messaging platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat, ideal for seamless communication with friends or colleagues across different languages.
Support for Over 150 Languages and Accents
AI Phone supports more than 150 languages and dialects, covering not only common languages like English, Chinese, and French but also smaller, niche languages, making it a versatile tool for global communication.
AI Phone: A Perfect Companion to ESL Learning, Not a Substitute
While AI Phone helps users overcome language barriers in everyday situations, it cannot replace the value of ESL courses. ESL courses provide a solid foundation in language skills, helping learners understand grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context. On the other hand, AI Phone serves as a tool to apply the knowledge gained in ESL courses to real-world conversations.
Learners can enhance their language skills through ESL courses and then use AI Phone to seamlessly transition into fluently speaking English in everyday interactions.
Conclusion: ESL + AI = Speak English, Live Confidently
By combining online ESL courses with AI Phone, adult learners can not only gain essential language skills in the classroom but also apply them to real-life conversations, boosting their confidence. Whether for career advancement, daily life, or socializing, AI Phone becomes an essential tool in the language learning journey, helping users communicate naturally in English in any situation.
With continued learning and practice, you’ll be able to speak English fluently in any setting, overcome language barriers, and thrive in a globalized world.