Free English Classes Online for Adults (Live and Self-Paced)

Since 2020, free online English classes have multiplied. Libraries, school districts, community colleges and universities that used to teach only in person now run virtual classes, and the best self-paced courses have kept improving. This guide sorts the options so you can pick the right one quickly.

Two kinds of free online classes

Live virtual classes happen at a set time on Zoom or a similar platform, with a teacher and classmates. They give you structure, speaking practice and accountability. Most are run by local public institutions and are reserved for residents of a city, county or state.

Self-paced courses are video lessons and exercises you do on your own schedule. Anyone can join, anytime, but you need more discipline and you’ll need to find speaking practice separately.

Most people do best with both: a self-paced course for daily study and a live class or conversation group for speaking.

Free live online classes

University programs open to everyone

PEDAL (Practical English for Daily Living) is run by the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. It offers free English classes for adult learners, organized by semester, and you only need an internet connection and a phone, tablet or computer ^[1]. Registration opens before each term, so check the dates.

Public libraries

Many big-city libraries now teach English online:

• Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Adult Learning Academy offers free courses taught by certified teachers, mostly online, for Miami-Dade residents with a library card ^[3].
• New York: the city’s We Speak NYC program runs free conversation classes online and in person ^[4], and the Brooklyn, Queens and New York public libraries offer online options too.
• Boston, Seattle, San José, Philadelphia and others: see each city in our directory; listings show the format (in person, online or hybrid).

Adult schools and community colleges

Public adult education programs often have online or “HyFlex” classes (you choose to join in person or online each day). Examples in our directory include Santa Monica College Noncredit ESL, City Colleges of Chicago and Mesa Public Schools. To find one near you, search your community college for “noncredit ESL online”.

Nonprofits

Several nonprofits run free virtual classes, sometimes for specific groups, like Kandelia in Seattle for parents of public school students, or Clarkston Community Center near Atlanta.

Free self-paced courses

Course	Best for	Notes
USA Learns	Adult beginners in the US	Full video course, everyday US situations, Spanish instructions [2]
BBC Learning English	All levels	Structured courses with transcripts; British English
British Council LearnEnglish	Grammar and skills by level	Organized by CEFR level
GCFGlobal LearnFree	Combining English with job and computer skills	Spanish version available
Khan Academy Grammar	Advanced grammar	Written for native speakers
Coursera and edX	University-level English for work or study	Audit free; certificates paid

Free online conversation practice

Self-paced courses don’t make you speak. Add one of these:

• Language exchanges: Tandem, HelloTalk, Conversation Exchange.
• Virtual conversation circles at libraries (check your local library’s events calendar for “ESL conversation”).
• Automatic feedback: Speak & Improve from Cambridge.

How to choose

1. Are you in the US? Check your city in our directory for live online classes first: they’re the closest thing to a paid course, for free.
2. Not in the US, or no local option? Start with PEDAL (live, by semester) and USA Learns or BBC Learning English (self-paced).
3. Advanced? Regular classes may feel slow. Focus on conversation practice and accent training instead.

What to expect when you sign up for a live class

Free public programs are funded to serve adults who will attend regularly, so signing up usually takes a few steps:

• An information session or orientation. Many libraries and adult schools start with a short meeting where a teacher explains the levels and schedule.
• A placement test. Most programs test your reading and listening (sometimes speaking) to put you in the right level. Don’t prepare for it; an honest result gets you into the class where you’ll learn the most.
• Registration windows. Classes often run in terms (fall, winter, spring) and close registration a few weeks after they start. If you miss a window, ask to be added to the waitlist and use a self-paced course in the meantime.
• Attendance expectations. Some programs ask you to attend most sessions and may give your seat to someone on the waitlist if you stop coming.
• Basic technology. You’ll usually need an email address, a phone number and a device with a microphone. Some libraries lend laptops or hotspots with a library card.

If a program asks for proof of address, it’s because the class is funded for local residents. Ask what documents they accept; many are flexible.

Tips for learning online

• Turn your camera and microphone on. Speaking is the point of a live class.
• Use headphones so you hear pronunciation clearly.
• Keep a phrase notebook and review it with spaced repetition (Anki).
• Treat it like a real class: same time, same place, no multitasking.

For a full plan that combines classes and free tools, read how to learn English for free.