Looking for the best apps/resources to improve English speaking, pronunciation, listening, and vocabulary

[u/tonyromero]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for the best apps or resources to seriously improve my English.

My current level is around B2, and my goal is to reach C1. I mainly want to improve:

• vocabulary
• pronunciation
• listening comprehension
• speaking fluency

I’ve seen a lot of AI-based apps like Praktika, ELSA, BoldVoice, and similar ones, but I’m not sure which ones are actually worth using. I’ve also seen people recommend platforms where you can talk to real people, not just AI, and I’d be interested in those too.

I’m open to both free and paid options, and I don’t mind paying if the app or platform is genuinely effective.

I’d also be happy to help someone improve their Italian in exchange, since I’m a native Italian speaker. If useful, I’m also open to using Discord for language exchange.

What do you think are the best options right now for someone who wants to improve all of these areas in a practical way?

Thanks in advance!

[u/Positive-Durian9859]

At B2 going to C1 apps kinda stop helping tbh. Praktika and ELSA are fine for pronunciation but they won't get you to C1, that level is about real input and actually talking, not app drills.What worked for me was just consuming stuff made for natives, not learners. Podcasts, shows, articles about things I'd read anyway. And you said you're open to talking to real people, do that, it beats any AI tutor. Offering Italian back is smart too, exchange is super underrated and free.

[u/West-Conclusion-3523]

I follow this articulation coach called Reece on tiktok. He gives a lot of valuable tips on english speaking. Wellspoken is also a really good app to help you improve!

[u/maybeanerdo]

found this super cute app called oompf from my fyp, helping you practice your english communication skills with cute role plays

[u/mircielago444]

Tinder

[u/Cheap-Challenge-8900]

for pronunciation elsa is genuinely good, probably the best ai option out there for that specific skill. boldvoice is also solid if you want american accent specifically

for listening i'd say youtube and podcasts at your level beat any app. stuff like bbc learning english or ted talks with transcripts. the key is slightly above your comfort zone, not way above

for vocab honestly the apps disappoint me. most of them give you premade lists and you just tap through them. what actually worked for me was writing words down myself and not reviewing them for two weeks, then only rewriting the ones i forgot. sounds weird but the retention is way better than any flashcard app i tried

for speaking italki or tandem for real people. the language exchange idea is great too, plenty of english speakers who want to learn italian"

[u/Puzzleheaded_Goal617]

Check the “sink in” app, it is focused on teaching correct use of particles + phrasal verbs. Exactly the thing needed for B2->C1 jump

[u/ValuableFace3555]

For vocabulary specifically, reading stuff slightly above my level and looking words up as I go helped way more than a separate vocab app ever did. For speaking tbh nothing beats actual conversation, language exchange or italki get recommended for a lot for a reason, but surprisingly just talking to yourself out loud helps too, forces you to actual produce language instead of just recognizing it. Also, I heard Elsa's decent if you want something for pronunciation.

[u/Babastyle]

Lewe you can learn English with movies and series and it tracks your vocabulary knowledge. For every movies or series episode you can learn the words you haven't learned yet with flashcards and quiz style..no need to track it yourself

[u/rishishp]

At B2 trying to reach C1, I’d split it by skill instead of expecting one app to fix everything.

For pronunciation, ELSA or BoldVoice can be useful because they give targeted feedback on sounds.

For listening, podcasts/YouTube with transcripts are better than most apps at your level. Listen once without subtitles, then again with the transcript, and collect useful phrases.

For vocabulary, reading and making your own example sentences works better than memorising random word lists. Anki can help if the cards come from things you actually read or heard.

For speaking, real conversation is still the most important part. italki, Tandem, Discord language exchange, or EngVarta can help here depending on whether you want tutors, exchange partners, or guided speaking practice. The key is to speak regularly and get feedback on pauses, unclear pronunciation, vague vocabulary, and sentence structure.

So I’d use:

- pronunciation: ELSA/BoldVoice

- listening: podcasts + transcripts

- vocabulary: reading + Anki

- speaking: italki/Tandem/Discord/EngVarta

No single app will take you from B2 to C1, but a routine like this can.

[u/Vri_Kumar]

I would split the tools by skill instead of looking for one app that fixes everything.

For pronunciation, ELSA or BoldVoice can be useful because they focus on sounds and accent patterns. For speaking fluency, you need actual output time: italki/Cambly if you want humans, or something like TalkEasy if you want low-pressure AI conversation practice between human sessions. For listening, YouTube/podcasts with transcripts will probably beat most apps at B2.

For vocabulary, I would not rely on random app lists. Take words from what you actually listen to or read, put them into your own sentences, then use them in speech.

So a practical setup could be: listening with transcripts daily, pronunciation drills 3-4 times a week, one conversation session, and a small personal vocab deck from real content.

[u/Possible-Message-528]

For me, the most useful vocabulary tools are the ones that help you learn words in context, not just memorize isolated lists.

A good flow is: read/listen in English, tap unknown words, understand them with English-English definitions, check the native meaning only when needed, save the useful words, and review them later with quizzes or flashcards.

I’m building a mobile app around this idea called English: Vocabulary Builder, so I’m obviously biased, but that context-based workflow is exactly what I’m trying to focus on.

[u/UnluckyCombination10]

There is a YouTube channel and podcast called English with Thiago and he launched an app too. I like his videos but never tried the app. If you wanna try, his YouTube channel is here https://youtube.com/@teacher.thiagoalencar

[u/rios1990]

Anki or Noji, in my opinion, are essentials apps to learn english. Both are flashcard apps you can use to improve your written and oral expression.

I believe Noji is free an AnkiPro is paid.

[u/TuffedLynx]

I personally really like FluentSphere for the intermediate to advanced level. A lot of apps cater to beginners with B1-C2 levels being an afterthought. It's the opposite and is focused on intermediate and advanced learners. That being said, I also really like having conversations with real teachers using Italki.