EnglishClass101 Review: Extensive Content, But Requires Some Prior English Knowledge
EnglishClass101 promotes itself as “the quickest, simplest, and most enjoyable method for learning English.”
It further states you can “begin conversing in English within minutes using its audio and video lessons.”
However, my testing revealed that some prior English knowledge is necessary to use it. When measured against other language-learning platforms I've tried, it also lacks certain components.
What Is EnglishClass101?
EnglishClass101 is a product of Innovative Language, a company that has grown into one of the major players in language learning since its start in 2006. Today, Innovative Language provides more than 690 language learning applications.
Although this review centers on EnglishClass101, the company also develops programs for numerous other languages, with options available for over 40.
You can read our general review of Innovative Language here.
https://www.Lingflix.com/blog/reviews/innovative-language-review/
EnglishClass101 presents itself as a comprehensive language course, providing practice in reading, listening, and writing.
Its primary approach involves teaching via audio podcasts, videos, and written tutorials. It combines these methods to assist learners in mastering English.
Over 2,000 EnglishClass101 videos are freely available on YouTube, and you can use them for study without a subscription:
How EnglishClass101 Works
I registered for the free trial and found EnglishClass101 quite user-friendly throughout my experience.
Upon starting, you take a diagnostic test to determine your current English level. The 40-question assessment was not overly long, providing just enough information for the program to gauge your skills. The questions, mostly dialogue-based, were quite direct.
The test results place you on the most suitable learning path to help you advance.
The “pathways” offered by EnglishClass101 represent different levels of English proficiency. There are five levels: Absolute Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, and Advanced.
For this review, I answered the assessment to be placed in the “Absolute Beginner” pathway. This allowed me to see the app's interface and progression from the lowest level.
Each “pathway” contains various courses. Some are general, covering common vocabulary and useful grammar. Others are more specialized, focusing on areas like business, well-being, travel, or school.
After selecting a course, each lesson begins with an audio or video segment on a specific topic. These clips are typically short, around three to five minutes.
Following the audio or video, a word-for-word transcript is provided. This makes it simple to follow along and identify key words and concepts.
After the clip/video and transcript, there are lesson notes containing helpful tips for learning new words and using them correctly. These notes sometimes cover grammar and cultural points to aid communication and understanding of native speakers.
Finally, learners can post comments for each lesson. I appreciated this feature as it allows for interaction with other learners, enabling you to ask for help or share your thoughts.
There are also assessment lessons with multiple-choice questions focusing on grammar and vocabulary from previous lessons. I was pleased to see that the lessons build upon earlier material.
Features of EnglishClass101
Thousands of Lessons
A key strength of EnglishClass101 is its vast library of courses and lessons.
Each pathway includes dozens of courses, with each course containing between 25 and 100 lessons. Furthermore, courses are designed around specific skills and goals.
This ensures you will never run out of material or become bored while using EnglishClass101. It is a valuable program for long-term English learning. I doubt one could complete every single lesson even with a lifetime of study!
Tools for Growing Vocabulary
Beyond lessons and courses for various English levels, EnglishClass101 provides numerous tools to help you learn and master new vocabulary.
I observed two main types of vocabulary-building tools. Basic tools available to all users include:
- A Word of the Day email subscription
- Vocabulary lists for new words, key phrases, and the 100 most common English words
- An English dictionary
Premium users can access additional tools like flashcards, a word bank, and a list of the 2000 most common words. The flashcards utilize a “Spaced Repetition System,” which schedules reviews of new words and phrases to help you remember them.
Real English Speech
I found it impressive that all audio and video clips feature native English speakers. As a native speaker myself, I was glad this wasn't the formal, textbook English rarely used in daily life. EnglishClass101 teaches English as it is genuinely spoken in everyday situations.
Additionally, you can choose courses for both British and American English, allowing you to learn your preferred accent and dialect.
Features for Premium Users
Similar to other English learning programs, EnglishClass101 offers different subscription tiers at various price points.
A Basic subscription provides access to all lessons and some vocabulary building tools.
A Premium subscription includes access to flashcards with the “Spaced Repetition System,” the 2000 most common words list, line-by-line lesson dialogues, and “Premium Lesson Tracks.”
A Premium PLUS subscription offers even more. Initially, you receive a “Professional Assessment” where an actual English teacher evaluates your level. Following that, you get a “Personalized Learning Plan” based on your current knowledge. Most notably, you receive 1-on-1 instruction with a real English teacher or tutor for personalized feedback.
It should be noted that other users have found Premium PLUS to be misleading. Many report the “Professional Assessment” is computer-based, not conducted by a teacher. Furthermore, the 1-on-1 instruction is often a text conversation rather than interactive speaking practice.
What EnglishClass101 Does Well
The EnglishClass101 learning program has several strong points.
Authentic English
Firstly, I was pleased the program uses genuine English speech. Many programs use automated voices or lack audio entirely, so it was refreshing that EnglishClass101 uses real native speakers. This is beneficial for learners to hear authentic English pronunciation.
Useful Vocabulary Tools
I also found the vocabulary tools to be well-constructed. The flashcards with Spaced Repetition System technology are excellent for memorizing new words. The word lists, dictionary, and word-of-the-day feature are also valuable resources.
Huge Number of Lessons
In my view, the most significant advantage is the sheer volume of content. With thousands of lessons across hundreds of courses, you will never lack for material, and the lessons cover a broad spectrum of topics.
Where English101 Can Still Improve
Despite its strengths, EnglishClass101 has areas that could be enhanced.
Not for Beginners
Most notably, it appears some prior English knowledge is required to use EnglishClass101 effectively. It begins with full English sentences and lacks translation tools to and from your native language. I advise learners to establish a basic foundation in English before starting with EnglishClass101.
I would recommend beginning with a program designed for absolute beginners. This will help you grasp basic vocabulary and grammar structures before using EnglishClass101 to advance your skills.
Lacks Speaking or Writing Practice
I also observed a lack of genuine writing or speaking practice. While there are fill-in-the-blank exercises with multiple-choice options, this isn't the same as practicing actual English composition. Even the “Comments” section at each lesson's end is underwhelming and doesn't effectively practice these essential skills.
Moreover, there is no opportunity for spoken conversation—not even with the Premium PLUS 1-on-1 instruction. The most effective way to learn English is through real-time conversation, a feature missing from this program.
Regarding Premium PLUS: it is not a good value. The advertised features do not seem to match the actual offering. I do not recommend spending money on this plan, as the best aspects of the app are available with the other subscriptions.
Alternatives to EnglishClass101
With many English learning programs available, it's easy to find other resources that compare to EnglishClass101.
One area where EnglishClass101 excels is its heavy use of video and audio. I noticed it incorporates more video and audio than Rosetta Stone, Babbel, and Busuu. It also provides more written tutorials than these programs.
Comparing apps, EnglishClass101 offers more explanatory content than Duolingo and Memrise. Those apps often provide words and sentences for translation but lack detailed explanations for grammar rules. EnglishClass101 gives more context about why certain language structures exist.
While the extra detail is beneficial, it can also make EnglishClass101 more challenging. If you are an absolute beginner, the fully English videos, audio, and written tutorials might be difficult to comprehend.
In such cases, you could use or pair it with another program designed for true beginners. For instance, Lingflix English offers videos suitable for those with no prior English knowledge.
Using a program like this exposes you to native English and starts your learning journey. Even after you've learned enough to use EnglishClass101, you can continue using Lingflix alongside it, as its content is very helpful at all stages of learning.
Lingflix uses authentic videos—such as music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks—and transforms them into personalized language lessons.
With Lingflix, you experience language in real-world contexts—the way native speakers genuinely use it. A quick glance reveals the wide variety of Lingflix videos available:
Lingflix removes the tedious aspects of language learning, leaving you with an engaging, effective, and efficient experience. It has pre-selected the best videos and organized them by level and topic. You simply choose any video that interests you to begin!
Every word in the interactive captions includes a definition, audio, image, example sentences, and more. You can access a full interactive transcript for each video under the Dialogue tab and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab. Lingflix’s unique adaptive quizzes help you learn vocabulary and phrases from the video through enjoyable exercises. Swipe left or right to see more examples of the word you're studying. The program tracks your learning and indicates the optimal time for review, offering a fully personalized experience. Use the Lingflix website on your computer or tablet, or download the Lingflix app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)
The Verdict: Should You Use EnglishClass101?
In summary, yes. I believe EnglishClass101 is worth using if you already possess some basic English knowledge. The app is extremely thorough, making it a great resource; however, learners should first build a foundation elsewhere.
The English is authentic, the vocabulary tools are helpful, and the extensive content is remarkable. I think you can learn a great deal from EnglishClass101, even if the program has some room for improvement.
That said, I do not recommend paying for Premium PLUS. Many users indicate it is misleading, and the extra cost isn't justified. You can gain substantial benefits from the basic or premium plans for writing and vocabulary practice, but I would seek another resource for practicing speaking and writing.
EnglishClass101 might not be the ideal starting point for learning English, but it is an excellent resource for those with some existing knowledge. Its native-speaker content is a major asset, and the extensive material provides ample study options for various interests.
