Many of us would prefer to watch a video to learn a new language rather than reading a book to do so, and who can blame us? Videos are entertaining, engaging, and help us to wrap our heads around complex language topics. Youtube provides language learners with a wealth of free resources that will up your English language skills while also keeping you interested and taking minimal amounts of your busy schedule.Some might think, “Youtube is unprofessional, with lower-level content than paid providers.” But there are many reasons why Youtube's English learning videos are amazing.First, Youtube channels dealing with English as a second language are so common that only the very best rise in the viewings and the search results. I’ve included some of these here for you.Second, an amateur video doesn’t change the authentic pronunciation and factual grammar information that these channels provide. Even a simple shot in front of a whiteboard can be just what you need to focus on the lesson.Last, Youtube channels provide manageable chunks of information to take in. Psychology shows that learning tends to happen when our minds “chunk” data, we can digest a particular part of a concept, store it, and then process more data. Rather than a whole, overwhelming textbook, Youtube's English learning videos represent manageable amounts of language learning.Let's get started!
15 Wicked English Learning Videos on Youtube for ESL Students
1. British Council Learn English
If you want professionally created British-style English learning videos, this is the channel for you. You’ll also learn a bit about the culture of the United Kingdom through your lessons.
2. English for You
This channel aims its videos at a younger audience for the most part. One valuable set of videos on the channel involves readings of famous short stories in English. The structures of some of the other videos would be useful for keeping children engaged, but also are a nice change of pace for adult learners as well.
3. Learn English with EnglishClass101.com
In conjunction with their main website, EnglishClass101.com, this youtube channel provides free content that promises to make English learning fast, easy, and fun. With videos on topics like tongue twisters, different verb tenses, and United States holidays, you can pinpoint your areas of need and personalize your lesson time.
4. Learn English with Let's Talk - Free English Lessons
This site combines motivational and thoughtful videos on how to get ahead in your career with practical lessons on auxiliary verbs and maintaining a formal tone. Coming from an Indian perspective, this channel’s videos will also help you thrive if you are mainly using your English skills in a part of the Indian sub-continent.
5. Learn English Conversation
The channel hasn't updated the videos here recently, but Learn English Conversation provides some sample scenarios for your listening pleasure. Sometimes, English learning videos focus on a rule or set of vocabulary without authentically using the kinds of sentences you’d find in real life, so this channel provides authentic situations where people might converse in English.
6. English SingSing
Sure, you are a busy adult who wants to learn English. But if part of your busy duties include caring for children, why not entertain them while getting some English vocabulary? These sing-along song videos help kids learn about vocabulary in English at a time when they can learn languages quite easily, and even if it isn’t your most business-relevant vocabulary, you will pick up new words and language structures too!
7. Quick FUN English Lessons
This set of English lessons is all driven from scenes in popular films. People who are already familiar with the stories of some English-language films will discover that they get more out of the film, and more out of their English practice time.
8. Daily English Conversation
This series includes many short videos, focusing on elements of English you can learn just by listening. As the name implies, this series also includes a variety of useful conversational strategies. A variety of tones can be very helpful if your goals with learning English include some more casual discussion ability.
9. EngVid
Rather than being just one set of Youtube videos, this channel links out to many individual lesson providers. You'll find teachers whose personality and pace of speech works well with what you are trying to learn. Since EngVid is searchable, you can draw on a truly formidable amount of videos if you have a specific concept, set of vocabulary, or task you want to learn more about.
10. JenniferESL
Jennifer explains the English language in simple and clear format Usually in 15 minutes or less. Go to her English pronunciation classes that help tune your intonation to native fluency. Stick around for business smarts like asking about jobs and wording in business emails.
11. English Professionally
This site focuses primarily on grammar. However, it gives you a clear flow from one lesson to the next every 10 minutes or so. One intriguing feature is a set of videos that include many “natural English sentences.” You can listen to a deliberate speaker’s intonation and word order to start to internalize sentence structure. This can be a useful way to keep your English practice going while driving, public transit, or doing work at home.
12. mmmEnglish
This channel specifically advocates the “imitation method." Trying each kind of sound helps your mouth muscles and your mind remember more clearly. This method, while very effective, probably should be done at home, not on public transportation or in other public places. Unless, of course, you just want people to see how good you are at pronouncing English words!
13. English like a Native
This channel offers a wide variety of very short videos on British slang to 90 minute deep dives into grammatical topics. The videos on slang, can be especially helpful if you are trying to master conversational English. Slang makes it easier to express yourself and to be understood readily by your peer group.
14. Oxford Online English
In addition to providing great content for English language learning, Oxford Online English gives specific practical tips for passing some of the more prevalent English proficiency exams in the United Kingdom. Their videos range from the business professional side of things over to casual speech, so many different learners will find them useful.
15. Speak English with MisterDuncan
This channel is almost 11 years running at the time of this writing! MisterDuncan’s channel has interesting, well-produced episodes that are both entertaining and informative. They have built on the success of Youtube trends in the past decade, while producing English learning videos that attracts the most viewers.
If you are looking for more ways to make Youtube a useful partner in your language learning, check out:
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