5 Best ESL Classes Online in 2026

Key Takeaways: 

• Best for personalized one-on-one classes – italki 
• Best for on-demand classes – Cambly 
• Best for structured group classes – Lingoda 
• Best for structured, self-paced courses – Coursera
• Best for British English study – British Council 

Choosing between ESL classes online means finding the type of support that best matches your goals, schedule, and learning style. Some learners benefit most from personalized one-on-one lessons, while others prefer conversation practice, group classes, or self-paced study. This guide compares the best ESL classes online to help you find the right option for your English learning goals.

Trusted by over 10 million language learners since 2007,italki connects you with more than 4,200 English teachers offering personalized one-on-one lessons. Tutors adapt each class to your level, goals, and areas for improvement, from conversation and pronunciation to business English. With teachers available across different schedules and price points, learners have the flexibility to find an English tutor who suits their needs.

How we chose the best ESL classes 

We compared online ESL classes using the factors that matter most when learning English as a second language, including speaking practice, teacher quality, scheduling flexibility, price, class format, and learner reputation.

Factor	What we looked at
Speaking practice	How much opportunity each class gives learners to actively use English, especially through speaking, alongside listening and reading practice.
Teacher quality	English teacher qualifications, teaching experience, and the level of expert feedback available to learners.
Schedule flexibility	Lesson availability, fixed vs. flexible class times, and how easily classes fit around different schedules.
Price	Lesson and subscription prices, as well as the overall value learners receive for the cost.
Class format	Whether classes are one-on-one, group-based, live, or self-paced, and how much individual attention each format provides.
Reputation	Learner reviews and reported experiences, including feedback on lesson quality, usability, and the overall learning experience.

How do online English classes compare? 

Platform	Best for	Format	Typical pricing
italki	Personalized one-on-one classes	Live one-on-one lessons	From $4 per lesson
Cambly	On-demand English classes	Live conversation practice	From $26/month
Lingoda	Structured group classes	Live group and one-on-one classes	Group classes from $64/month
Coursera	Structured, self-paced courses	Self-paced online courses	Free to audit; Coursera Plus from $59/month
British Council	British English study	Live classes and self-study	USD $148–$202/month

Pricing and ratings reflect publicly listed information as of August 2026. Check each platform’s official website for the latest updates.

Ready to find the right English teacher for your goals? Book a trial lesson and start learning one-on-one with a tutor who fits your needs.

What are the best ESL classes online?

1. italki: Best for personalized ESL online classes and speaking practice 

• Format: Live 1-on-1 video lessons 
• Pricing: From $4 per lesson, no subscription required 
• Best for: Speaking practice, exam preparation, business language, complete beginners to advanced learners

italki is an online language learning platform that connects English learners with professional tutors for live, one-on-one lessons. It is a strong option for learners who want more individual attention than they would get in a group class or a fixed online course.

Learners choose their own tutor and work directly on the English skills they want to improve. This gives them more speaking time, immediate feedback, and lessons that progress at a pace that matches their level.

What sets italki apart for English language learners:

Pros

• Personalized lessons: Your tutor adapts lessons to your goals, level, and progress rather than following a one-size-fits-all course.

• Live corrections and feedback:Tutors identify mistakes during lessons and give immediate feedback, an important part of learning English effectively

• Speaking practice: One-on-one classes give you dedicated time to use English actively with your tutor instead of sharing speaking time with a group.

• Tutors for every goal: Choose from over 4,200 English teachers with expertise across different learning goals, including conversation practice, TOEFL and IELTS preparation,business English, English grammar, among other specialties.

• Classes with tutors who speak your native language: Learn with English tutors who also speak your first language, which helps when you want difficult grammar, vocabulary, or other concepts explained more clearly. Options include English classes for Chinese speakers, English classes for Spanish speakers, English classes for French speakers, and English classes for Japanese speakers, among others.

• Flexible scheduling: Choose teachers with lesson times that fit your schedule and build regular English practice around your routine.

• Different price points: Lessons start from $4, giving learners options across a range of budgets.

• Support between lessons: italki Plus provides lesson summaries, vocabulary lists, flashcards, and practice exercises based on your lessons.

• Proven results: An independent study of italki learners found that 71.6% improved their speaking by at least one CEFR level and 78% improved their writing.

Cons: 

• Finding the right tutor may take more than one trial lesson: With thousands of teachers and different teaching styles, some learners may need to try a few tutors before finding the best fit.
• Progress depends on consistent practice: One-on-one classes work best when learners attend regularly and continue practicing between classes.

What italki students are saying:

Recent italki reviews highlight three recurring benefits: more confidence when speaking English, personalized lessons, and the ability to choose a tutor based on individual preferences and budget.

• Greater speaking confidence: Learners describe feeling less afraid to speak English and becoming more comfortable using the language during lessons.
• Personalized learning: Students value lessons that focus on their individual needs, including speaking and listening practice rather than grammar alone.
• Tutor choice: Learners appreciate being able to choose teachers based on factors such as budget, teaching style, and personality.

Want more speaking time and feedback that helps you improve faster? Find an ESL tutor and book a trial lesson

How to get started on italki

1. Create a free account
2. Browse English teachers by lesson focus, price, and availability to find a tutor that suits you. 
3. Book a trial lesson to see if your tutor is a good fit. 
4. Schedule regular lessons at times that work for you. 

2. Cambly: Best for on-demand English conversation practice

• Format: Live video conversations with English-speaking tutors
• Pricing: From $26 a month
• Best for: Learners who want flexible speaking practice without a fixed curriculum

Cambly is an online English learning platform focused on live conversation practice with English-speaking tutors. It suits learners who want to speak English regularly in a more informal setting without following a structured course or fixed lesson plan.

Its on-demand format makes it especially useful for learners who want spontaneous speaking practice and exposure to different speakers. However, the experience depends heavily on the tutor you choose, so learners looking for structured progression, exam preparation, or consistent feedback may prefer a more personalized learning format.

Pros:

• On-demand speaking practice: Start conversations without planning lessons far in advance.
• Strong focus on conversation: Spend lesson time actively speaking English rather than working through a fixed curriculum.
• Exposure to different speakers: Practice understanding and communicating with a range of English speakers.

Cons:

• Less structured learning: Learners who want a clear curriculum or step-by-step progression may find the format too open-ended.
• Tutor experience varies: Teaching qualifications and approaches differ between tutors, so it is worth reviewing profiles before choosing one.
• Less continuity with different tutors: Frequently changing tutors makes it harder to build lessons around previous progress.
• Subscription costs add up: Regular long-term use may become more expensive than paying for individual lessons as needed.

Further reading: italki vs Cambly

3. Lingoda: Best for structured group English classes

• Format: Live small-group and one-on-one classes
• Pricing: Group classes from $64.99/month; one-on-one classes from $149.99/month
• Best for: Learners who prefer a structured curriculum and group learning

Lingoda is an online language school that offers live English classes built around a structured curriculum. Its group classes suit learners who prefer following a set learning path alongside other students rather than choosing the focus of each lesson themselves.

The trade-off is flexibility and personalization. Group classes follow scheduled topics and shared lesson objectives, so learners have less control over lesson content and less individual speaking time than in a one-on-one class.

Pros:

• Structured curriculum: Lessons follow a clear learning path aligned with CEFR levels.
• Group learning: Live classes let learners study alongside other English learners.
• Study materials included: Learners receive resources to support practice outside class.

Cons:

• Less individual speaking time: Group lessons divide speaking opportunities among several learners.
• Limited personalization: Lesson content follows the course structure rather than individual learner goals.
• Higher one-on-one pricing: Private classes cost considerably more than group options.

Further reading: italki vs Lingoda

4. Coursera: Best for structured, self-paced courses

• Format: Self-paced online courses
• Pricing: Subscriptions from $59/month
• Best for: Learners who prefer a set curriculum and independent study

Coursera is an online learning platform that offers English courses from universities and other educational institutions. Its self-paced format suits learners who prefer structured study they can complete independently.

For ESL learners, the main limitation is the lack of live one-on-one interaction. Many courses rely on recorded lessons and peer-reviewed assignments, so learners get less speaking practice and less direct feedback from an English teacher.

Pros:

• Self-paced learning: Study on your own schedule and progress through lessons independently.
• Structured courses: Follow a defined curriculum rather than choosing lesson topics yourself.
• Certificates available: Some courses offer certificates from universities and educational institutions.

Cons:

• Limited speaking practice: Recorded course content gives learners fewer opportunities to use English in live conversation.
• Less teacher feedback: Peer-reviewed assignments do not provide the same direct feedback as working with an English tutor.
• Costs can add up: Subscription fees may become expensive if you take several months to complete a course.

British Council: Best for British English study

• Format: Live online classes, self-study courses, and learning resources
• Pricing: USD $148 to $202 per month
• Best for: Learners who want to focus on British English

The British Council is an established education organization that offers several ways to learn English, including live classes, private tutoring, self-study courses, and free learning resources. It is most relevant to learners who specifically want British English and prefer a more traditional course-based approach.

Its main limitation is choice. Learners looking for a wider range of tutors, teaching styles, or more flexible one-on-one options may find the platform more restrictive.

Pros:

• British English focus: Useful for learners who specifically want to study British English.
• Free learning resources: Offers self-study materials alongside paid courses.
• Multiple study formats: Learners can choose between live classes, tutoring, and independent study.

Cons:

• Less tutor choice: A smaller tutor pool means fewer teaching styles and availability options.
• Higher-cost live learning: Private tutoring and paid classes cost more than the free self-study resources.
• Narrower language focus: Learners who want broader exposure to different English accents and varieties may prefer another option.

Which ESL class is best for you? 

• Choose italki if you want personalized one-on-one English lessons with more speaking time, direct feedback, and a tutor who adapts to your goals.

• Choose Cambly if your main priority is casual, on-demand English conversation practice.

• Choose Lingoda if you prefer learning through a structured curriculum with scheduled live classes.

• Choose Coursera if you want self-paced English courses you can complete independently.

• Choose British Council if you want to focus specifically on British English through classes and self-study resources.

Ready to improve your English? Find an ESL tutor

Ready to speak English with more confidence?

Learn English faster with personalized guidance from experienced ESL tutors trusted by over 10 million learners worldwide. Book a trial lesson and get support tailored to your goals.