7 tips for learning English online

Gemma Considine
A man sat at a laptop with headphones on

Learning English online is very different from studying in a physical classroom, and there is not always a teacher looking over your shoulder. And more often than not, you have to motivate yourself and keep yourself on track.

In this blog, we’ll share seven tips to help you learn English online – including how to set goals, create a study schedule, and stay focused. Let’s explore:

1. Set SMART goals

Lots of students wonder how to learn English online. And we know getting started is often the most challenging part. So before you begin studying English online, we recommend setting some SMART goals. These are goals that are:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Let's say you:

  • Have an ultimate goal to get a high score in an English language exam (like ), so you can study abroad.

You’ll need to plan how to reach this. An excellent way to start is to begin planning your short and medium-term goals. For example:

  • Short-term goal: Learn ten words each day
  • Medium-term goal: Improve practice test scores by 5% over the next month

2. Make a study schedule

Creating a well-thought-out schedule will help you to study English online and stay organized. It’ll also mean you dedicate enough time to each language skill – speaking, reading, writing and listening:

  • Pick times that work best for you – You may prefer studying at certain times of the day when you have more energy, or after doing something energizing like working out.
  • Stick to it – Once you’ve set a regular fixed time, stay with it to ensure it becomes a routine habit.
  • Make time – Give yourself as much time as possible to finish each task (especially in case life gets in the way) and some time to relax.

3. Create a comfortable learning space

Where you study . For example, sunlight can lead to better learning outcomes. Temperature and noise can also affect the way you learn. If you can, make sure that your learning space is:

  • well-lit
  • temperate
  • quiet (and private if possible!)
  • relaxing
  • organized

You might also want to decorate your study space, perhaps with an indoor plant – they can !

Also, before you start, do you have everything at hand? Do you have water? Is your coursebook close by? And is your computer fully charged? Having all your supplies on hand will help you stay focused – and learn English online faster.

4. Eliminate distractions

To learn English online, you need to eliminate distractions. Logging off your social media accounts and anything else distracting you until you’re done studying is good practice. If you find yourself logging back in, you might want to use a focus app (like , which can block up to thirty websites).
If you can, turn off your phone altogether and put it away and out of sight. If you’re tempted to pick it up again, ask yourself why. Sometimes, there’s no good reason, and it’s best to keep studying.

5. Try the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a great way to break your studying into manageable chunks, which will also help you stay focused.

The technique:

  • Set a timer for 20 minutes
  • Each time the timer goes off, write a tick on a piece of paper
  • Take a five-minute break
  • Continue to set the timer for 20-minute intervals
  • When you've got four ticks, take a 20-minute break

This time management system works well because it gives you frequent breaks to look forward to and helps you concentrate. You can use this time to stretch, have a snack, take a walk – or do anything that gives your mind a rest.

6. Use self-study resources

There are lots of English learning materials available online – including worksheets, mock tests, games and grammar exercises. There are also various games and quizzes available online.

7. Find a study partner

We all know studying online can get lonely! That’s why we recommend you find a study partner. With a partner to work with, you can practice speaking and listening. You’ll have someone to check over your work. But most importantly – you’ll have someone to hold you accountable and help you stay motivated. Perhaps you know a friend or family member who is also studying English, and you can work with them. You can sometimes find local study groups or clubs depending on your location.

If you're unable to find a local study group or an in-person partner, there are many places to find a study partner online – for example, or dedicated social media groups. You might also want to try out silent Zoom meetings; students and professionals keep each other focused by simply working together on mute.

More blogs from ɫèAV

  • A woman/teacher teaching her students in the classroom.

    Top tips for writing a winning English Teacher Awards 2024 nomination

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    We are celebrating teaching excellence around the world through the ɫèAV English Teacher Awards 2024.Ìý

    Open to all types of English language educator, the 15 lucky global winners will take home thousands of pounds of prizes, from trips to conferences to the latest language learning software for their school.Ìý

    Nominating an educator for the ɫèAV English Teacher Awards is simple. All applications are made via the awards entry page, and you have 600-1000 words to tell us how your nominee builds learners’ confidence to be themselves in English.Ìý

    Here are our top tips to make the most of every word and ensure your entry is top of the class.Ìý

    Application tips

    1. Make it category specificÌý

    One of the core judging criteria is how well an application matches the category description.Ìý

    Educators can be nominated in one of five different categories:Ìý

    1. Teaching Young Minds English
    2. Empowering Teen Confidence in English
    3. Cultivating Lifelong Learners in EnglishÌý
    4. Innovation in English Language TeachingÌý
    5. Rising Stars of English Language TeachingÌý

    Tailoring your answer to the category description will make sure our judges understand exactly why your nominee is the perfect winner.Ìý

    For a detailed description of each of the categories, take a look at our recent blog post.

    2. Focus on confidence

    Learning a language isn’t just about knowing the vocabulary or understanding the grammar; it’s about having the confidence to go out there and use your newfound skills to unlock a world of opportunities.Ìý

    But feeling confident in something you’re still learning is hard. Anyone that’s learnt a language has experienced those dips in motivation and confidence when you come across a topic that doesn’t come naturally to you.Ìý

    That’s where a great teacher can make all the difference. The right support and encouragement combined with innovative teaching techniques can help learners protect and even build their confidence in challenging moments.Ìý

    That confidence is what transforms language learning from just communicating to feeling able to really be yourself in English. And when you’re able to do that, great opportunities come your way.Ìý

    Our judges are looking for nominations that understand the connection between confidence and self-expression and the impact that can have on learners’ lives.Ìý

    3. Demonstrate your impact

    Including relevant data and examples in your application will help judges understand the impact your nominee has had.Ìý

    This might include data such as internal or external test results, as well as how those results have changed during that teacher’s tenure.Ìý

    Evidence doesn’t have to mean numbers. Judges also welcome anecdotes and examples that describe the impact an educator has had on learners’ confidence.Ìý

    The judging process

    Nominations can be submitted between 15th August and midnight (CST) on 1st November 2024.Ìý

    After that date, all entries will be reviewed and a shortlist submitted to our expert judges.Ìý

    There are two to three judges for each category who will independently review and shortlist nominees before collectively awarding a Gold, Silver, and Bronze winner in their category.Ìý

    Shortlisted entries will be contacted by our team and announced at the ɫèAV Teacher Awards ceremony on November 21st 2024.Ìý

    Meet the judges

    From Argentina to Algeria, Italy to Germany, ɫèAV English Teacher Award 2024 judges come from all over the world.Ìý

    Many have years of ELT teaching experience, as well as expertise from academia and business.Ìý

    Here are just three of our expert judges:Ìý

    • Belgin Elmas: Head of the English Language Teaching Department at TED University in Ankara, Belgin is a professor with more than 34 years of teaching experience.Ìý
    • Dr Silvia Minardi: President of Lingua e Nuova Didattica and Vice President of Aermigo. Dr Minardi has extensive experience in CLIL training, collaborating with the ECML and the Council of Europe.
    • Dr Renata Condi: An experienced teacher, development professional, and course book author, Dr Condi holds a PhD and MA in Applied Linguistics and an MBA in School Management.Ìý

    The prizes

    With a Gold, Silver, and Bronze winner in each of the five categories, there are 15 chances for educators and their schools to win.Ìý

    Gold winners will receive a trip to a regional professional conference, including flight and hotel, as well as up to £500 in credit for professional development.Ìý

    Their school will win annual licenses to top language learning app, Mondly by ɫèAV as well as a course, assessment, and certification bundle valued at £1000Ìý

    Silver and Bronze winners will take home top prizes too, with £250 in credit towards their professional development and up to 500 Mondly by ɫèAV licenses for their school to continue their good work building learners’ confidence in English.Ìý

  • Childten sat at a desk staring up at a tablet

    Embracing AI for the new school year

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    Back-to-school season is the perfect time to introduce something new into your teaching toolkit. With advancements in technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important for educators to incorporate into their workflow and beneficial for students. Here are some practical ways AI can enhance your classroom experience this new school year.

    AI saves valuable time

    One of the biggest challenges teachers face is finding the time to plan and create engaging lessons. AI can maximize your time by generating word sets, images and activities. Imagine having a virtual assistant that can suggest fresh ideas for your lessons, create tailored resources and even develop entire lesson plans. By automating these time-consuming tasks, AI allows you to focus more on teaching and interacting with your students.

    How AI can help

    • Lesson planning: Generate detailed lesson plans and activities.
    • Lesson inspiration: Get new and creative ideas for classroom activities.
    • Resource creation: Develop word sets, images and other teaching materials.

    As you prepare for the upcoming school year, consider how integrating AI tools can elevate your teaching practice, making your lessons more engaging while freeing up precious time for interactions with your students.

    Personalized learning and targeted feedback

    Every student learns differently, and tailoring lessons to meet individual needs can be challenging. AI can help by providing personalized learning experiences and targeted feedback. Using data-driven insights, AI tools can identify areas where learners are struggling and offer customized recommendations to help them improve. This not only enhances the learning experience but also ensures that no student is left behind.

    Benefits of AI in personalization

    • Personalized lessons: Adapt lessons to suit individual learning styles.
    • Targeted feedback: Provide specific feedback to help students improve.

    Creating an inclusive classroom

    ÌýAI can play an important role in creating an inclusive classroom environment. AI can generate visuals, audio, videos and text, or a combination of all four, catering to different learning preferences. This ensures that all learners, regardless of their learning styles or abilities, have access to the same educational content.

    AI in inclusion

    • Multimodal content: Use various formats to cater to different learning preferences.
    • Accessibility: Ensure that all students can engage with the material.

    Supporting independent learning

    Encouraging students to take charge of their own learning is essential for their development. AI can support independent learning by providing platforms that facilitate self-study at home. These platforms offer a range of resources and tools that help students learn at their own pace, making education more flexible and accessible.ÌýExplore how supports independent learning with immersive AI-powered conversations.

    AI tools for self-study

    • Independent learning: Foster a culture of self-directed learning.
    • Self-study resources: Provide tools and platforms for students to use at home.

    Integrating AI into your teaching practice can revolutionize the way you educate and engage with your students. From saving time on lesson planning to creating an inclusive classroom and supporting independent learning, the benefits are significant.

    Want more AI tips and tricks for the classroom? Join us on the page for the next video in our series.

  • A smiley woman and one of her friends/students working in a cafe.

    English Teacher Awards 2024: Understanding the categories

    By Thomas Gardner
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Teachers shape every aspect of our learning experience, especially when it comes to language learning. Great teachers give learners not only the skills but the confidence to go out in the world, start speaking up and discovering new opportunities.Ìý

    We’re celebrating those exceptional educators with the ɫèAV English Teacher Awards 2024.Ìý

    With five different categories and a Gold, Silver and Bronze winner in each, there are 15 chances to take home thousands of pounds worth of top prizes for the winning teachers and their schools.Ìý

    Find out more about who can enter and the different categories in this article.Ìý