Learn English free with the British Council: a level test, 10,000 exercises and speaking practice

The British Council says its LearnEnglish ecosystem contains more than 10,000 free learning activities and exercises. Core materials can be used without payment or an account: listening, reading, writing and speaking lessons, grammar, vocabulary, Business English and everyday English.

How to start for free

1. Estimate your level. The free multiple-choice online test requires a free account. It provides an approximate level, not an official qualification.
2. Choose your CEFR band. Resources are labelled from A1 to C1, so there is no need to work through everything.
3. Build a week. For example: two listening lessons, two reading lessons, one writing task, one speaking task and vocabulary review.

What is genuinely free

• the adult lesson library and interactive exercises;
• separate LearnEnglish Teens and LearnEnglish Kids sites;
• the Learning Hub, with discussion topics, comments and voice-recording activities;
• podcasts, videos, grammar, pronunciation and apps, although some apps may contain optional purchases;
• the EnglishScore app test, which takes about 40 minutes; buying a certificate is optional.

Where the free offer ends

The free library marks answers right or wrong, but it does not provide full personal progress tracking or promise individual teacher feedback. Live teacher-led classes, one-to-one lessons and some structured courses are separate paid products. Free adult registration is for users aged 18 and over and unlocks the level test and community features.

A practical 30-day plan

Study for 20–30 minutes a day. Take the test on day one, then spend four weeks working only at your level. Save one written response and one voice recording each week so you can compare progress. Use Sunday to repeat failed exercises. The plan needs no subscription.

For parents

Children aged 5–12 should use LearnEnglish Kids, while teenagers have LearnEnglish Teens. Do not direct a child to the adult community area, and check the account age rules.

Official links to the free sections are listed below. Pay only if you specifically need a teacher, a structured course or a certificate.