Do you fall asleep with a smartphone in hand only to wake up and grab it first thing in the morning?

Do you scold yourself for watching movies and video clips instead of doing something meaningful?

Do you dream of improving your second-language skills and instead ….reach for your smartphone to play games and scroll an Instagram feed?

If you answered yes at least once – congrats! You’re on our team of those hopelessly addicted to technology.

There's some good news about it though. If you own a mobile device, you have access to either Google Play Store or iStore with dozens of ESL apps. They offer bite-sized lessons and work great for both young learners and busy adult students.

That’s right, you don’t need to give up your phone to get ahead with a career. Instead, you can and should use it to learn English.

How Is Business English Taught?

What is business English? It's English for specific purposes, like medical English or legal English, where ESL students learn essential terminology, international communication, and business correspondence. Business English is more professional, polite, and purposeful than regular English. Business ESL courses still incorporate conversational English as office employees also need the right words when they gather for coffee with colleagues and for making friends.

Long gone are days when an ESL lesson would be taught in a brick-and-mortar classroom full of unmotivated language learners. Nowadays, both ESL teachers and ESL students can choose from three options:

• Traditional classroom instructions. There are loads of fun, contemporary business English books. More so, ESL teachers need to retain language learners' interest and use e.g., up-to-date British Council worksheets or LiveWorkSheets handouts (my absolute favorite).
• Online courses. Some reputable platforms, e.g., Lingoda and Preply, provide students with dedicated business English courses. Instead of requiring students to show up for brick-and-mortar classes, they bring learning a new language to the next level: they don’t require your physical presence, which is key for busy ESL students.
• App courses. The newest approach toward your English language learning process, apps for ESL are becoming more and more popular as you read this article. You can even find free apps, which no longer give you an excuse not to learn a new language.

How about we investigate the last method closer?

Types of Apps for Learning Business English

All English language learners who intend to reach fluency focus on English vocabulary, grammar, listening (and pronunciation), reading and writing, speaking, and culture. It’s a lot, I know.

On the positive side, it’s still doable. On the negative side, most mobile apps only cover a few aspects, ignoring or sidelining the rest.

This automatically answers a popular question of why people tend to use more than one ESL app or combine an ESL app and a traditional/online course.

On the other hand, you might specifically want to focus on a particular language skill when learning English. Let’s say you’ve spent some time in the U.S., where you were exposed to culture and practiced listening and speaking English. Now you’re back in the office and realize that either your English grammar lags or that your writing leaves much to be desired. What you need is a great app to practice English writing so you don't waste time drilling your already strong language skills or doing listening exercises.

If that’s the case, you might want to check the following language-learning apps for Business English:

• to learn English vocabulary and grammar: Babbel, Memrise, Quizlet
• to focus on English listening and pronunciation: FluentU, Pimsleur, BEP Business English Pod
• to practice English reading and writing: LingQ, Busuu, Business Writing
• to practice English conversation: ELSA Speak, Talk English, Speaking Pal
• to learn about the English culture and do language exchange: HelloTalk, Tandem, and The American Life podcast

These are only a few drops in the ocean of language apps for ESL learners. I personally tried and tested more than 20 in each category over the years (both as a learner and language instructor), and these are the gems.

As you can see, they intersect in places e.g., The American Life podcast emphasizes cultural learning to save you from culture shock but simultaneously boosts your listening skills, teaches you new words, and exposes you to grammar.

ESL learners select their best English learning app depending on their preferences and lifestyle. From my ESL teaching experience, most business English students go for one of these: Babbel (which works as a comprehensive ESL app), FluentU (which offers YouTube-generated business content by native speakers), or Tandem (where one finds exchange partners and practices writing and speaking).

Advantages of Using Apps for Learning Business English

Regardless of the app(s) students decide on, they enjoy numerous benefits compared to traditional language learning methods:

a) convenience and accessibility

The days are gone when ESL students had to be in a set place and at a set time dictated by ESL teachers. Today, you can polish grammar, vocabulary, and writing skills from the comfort of your home or the discomfort of a traffic jam.

You save time you’d otherwise waste while commuting to a language school and you can productively fill in the gaps in your days. You do need a smartphone and internet access to start learning English.

b) customized learning experiences

Here’s the deal: Every ESL student has individual needs when it comes to learning English. What seems like a piece of cake for you might be my nightmare and vice versa. While one can hardly count on a personalized approach in a traditional large class, one can enjoy a customized experience with an app.

First, you aren't rushed and you can go over materials at your own pace. Second, contemporary app algorithms (e.g., spaced repetition systems of Memrise or FluentU) track your difficulties and ensure you revise new words.

c) interactive and engaging

If your enthusiasm to learn English per se isn’t enough, apps are your solution. They’re gamified, flashy, and stuffed with animation and sounds, making the most boring process amusing. Multimodal solutions keep your attention better than books.

What boosts my motivation is that lots of tools offer all courses for free once you’ve bought a subscription to one language.

d) affordable or free apps

Let’s be honest – money isn’t the last thing we consider when saying yes or no to apps for ESL. Traditional English learning courses are pricey, let alone private tutors. In turn, mobile apps are typically affordable or even operate on a so-called freemium basis combining both free and paid features.

This might be a decisive factor unless your company covers the costs of learning languages for you.

Considerations for a Business English App

My major advice is never to buy a language app only because you've seen an ad praising it. Here’s a four-step verification process that ensures you won't fall into the trap of app marketing:

#1 Analyze the app’s compatibility with your device

We tend to automatically assume that every app will work as long as we own mobile devices. Surprisingly it’s not always so. Some tools that work on iOS are not necessarily suitable for Android e.g., a great video tool Educreations, or a fantastic reading app LillyPad.

#2 Read a bunch of user reviews and ratings

Ideally, you know colleagues or friends who've been using an English learning app and swear by it. If not, do some Google research. I usually start with negative reviews. The key is to actually read them – some students give 3 stars to an ESL app they love, while others give 4.5 stars to a product they hate. A pro tip: Follow our website updates. Although every popular app is our potential competitor, we do our best to provide unbiased analyses that help students make the right choice.

#3 Take a quick glance into the language app’s content and features

This is a logical continuation of the previous step. While reading reviews, keep an eye open for students' comments regarding important skills the app drills and activities it offers. Are there English writing exercises and interactive videos? Can you practice quizzes and record your own voice to polish your pronunciation? Can students access everything in one place or do they need to use Google translate? Again, our Flying Languages reviews offer a condensed analysis of the most popular language apps, tried and tested by experts.

#4 Think about the cost

There are many free apps and loads of affordable apps. You can still spot a $2-5 dollar difference in the monthly subscription. I’m not saying you’ll get rich if you save a few bucks, but why not enjoy an extra cup of coffee instead? P.S. Beware of in-app extras. For instance, Rosetta Stone boasts about tutoring sessions, but they come at the price of $20/lesson on top of your plan.  

Top Recommended Apps for Business English

Using apps as a language learner and language instructor, I’ve seen a huge difference in both my own learning pace and my ESL students’ motivation. I am listing my top five English learning apps to help you learn business English.

What was my selection process? For the past ten years, I've tested around 50 apps, some for personal use and others for the sake of reviews. I’ve rated the top 10 for every language I speak (six fluently and three at a basic level).

The following (starting with the absolute winner) are the best fits specifically for business English. I've only included ones rated 4.5/5. I bet less critical students would give them 5 stars.

Babbel English

Babbel is the app I swear by in all languages I learn and teach. I’ve discussed it in this and many other reviews. First, it's a comprehensive resource that covers all language competencies. I won’t say it replaces live communication with a native speaker, but most students learning English are amazed at their immense improvement after the first month.

Some people compare Babbel and Duolingo. While the latter operates on a freemium basis and is the cheapest solution, it feels too childish and slow; not the best match if you crave an immediate English language result. Babbel English is gamified and flashy, but only to a point. It teaches useful office vocabulary and everyday language, and its dialogues are relatable. Plus, the app offers a special product – Babbel for Business – which is arguably the best tool for corporate English lessons.

Pricing:

Babbel is an affordable app that charges between $6.95 and $13.95/month. Babbel for Business is on the pricey side, but it’s usually covered by companies. You’re lucky if your employer gets this one.

FluentU

I've never met a person who didn't enjoy FluentU. It features a collection of YouTube videos sorted by levels and topics. Business English students can easily find relevant content like office dialogues or business vlogs created by native language speakers.

FluentU offers interactive activities with new vocabulary and an embedded online translator for every video, which ensures a pleasant user experience and word retention. Read my ode to FluentU here.

Pricing.

The cost is $19.99/month. It's on the pricey side, but students gain access to other languages simultaneously.

Memrise

Memrise is the best flashcard app for business English students. It’s frequently updated and highly reputable. While Memrise is gamified, the activities are oriented toward adults and you can enjoy well-selected topics and a workable, spaced repetition algorithm.

Memrise knows contemporary students have no time for dry grammar classes or lengthy reading sessions. The goal is to teach you quickly while making sure new vocabulary sticks in your head forever. This is exactly what you need in a busy business world. P.S. If you're in search of a flashcard app, I encourage you to read this review or this review. You might receive some valuable input before getting any of them.

Pricing:

English learners can enjoy either a free or $8.99/month version of Memrise. Start with the free one and see whether this approach fits your needs.

BEP Business English Pod

It’s a perfect language-learning app that boosts listening comprehension if you don’t feel like watching FluentU videos. This podcast app offers students detailed grammar and vocabulary explanations with attention to business idioms, standard pronunciation, and relatable business scenarios.

I’m a fan of its structure and materials; they work great through all levels of language competency.

Pricing:

The BEP pod offers a free limited version, but the paid one is quite affordable as well – app. $7.99/month.

Busuu

Busuu is a nice resource for English language learners at the beginner or intermediate level. It's a balanced way to practice all language skills and talk to native language speakers.

This app sends students weekly reports on strengths and weaknesses, which helps keep track of one's progress. You also access a community of other students and native English speakers who provide their feedback, check your written work, and even speak English with you. On top of this, you can register for a final test and earn an official certificate - some employers require this.

Pricing.

A monthly subscription costs $6.75, but students can also start with a free plan.

Best Apps for Teaching Business English

As a language instructor, I know nothing is more dangerous to ESL students than a lack of motivation. Seriously, I’ve seen adult English language learners give up just because they were bored. The mere fact that they needed to speak English to climb a career ladder wasn’t enough in itself.

One day, I just decided to try the approach I used with younger learners – introduce my adult students to a fun way of learning English. You know what? It worked!

Since then, I've tested every popular app (I’ve already mentioned LiveWorkSheets that works wonders with English learners of all ages). My top five trusted language resources, rated 4.5/5 each, are listed here starting with the creme de la creme app.

MondlyWorks

My first choice for group classes, MondlyWorks has been created for office employees. The app features the best lists of business-related vocabulary. It also boasts a clean, professional touch, and its design is impeccable. My business English students adore it.

Because an ESL teacher manages a special dashboard, the app affords feedback and traces ESL students’ strengths and weaknesses.

Pricing:

Mondly operates on a freemium basis and charges about $7.50/month if you need unlimited access to all features.

Quizlet

Quizlet is Memrise's fierce competitor. Both are flashcard apps with a huge base of vocabulary and memorization activities. Now, Memrise works better for students without teacher guidance: it prioritizes pronunciation and tracks one's progress.

In turn, Quizlet is one of the best apps for classes. Quizlet Plus provides teachers with effective assessment and textbook solutions and helps them create large flashcard databases by scanning their own materials. I subscribe and can't recommend it enough to colleagues.

Pricing:

Quizlet offers students a generous free plan and a very pocket-friendly subscription of less than $2.99/month.

TeachVid

What do all ESL students like? That’s right – YouTube. TeachVid is FluentU’s sibling, which allows for more manipulation on the part of the instructor. The tool features a virtual English learning classroom to distribute assignments, give feedback, and track students’ progress.

I use this app to create interactive lessons and ensure that my students focus on business English vocabulary and edgy topics.

Pricing:

TeachVid costs teachers approximately $10/month and students $3/month.

Ted-ed

Similar to the previous app, it's based on video materials. At the same time, TED-Ed emphasizes mechanical activities less than reflections, discussions, and write-ups. Most of the available lessons revolve around business, work-life balance, and innovation, which makes it easy for the language teacher (aka me).

It might be difficult to use TED-Ed as an individual student because some tasks are aimed at group work and peer discussions. This app is a find for those teaching English though. You might want to check this post for more recommendations.

Pricing:

Hurray! It's a free app.

LingQ

This app is my champion for reading and interactive activities. I use it daily for both business English students and students at lower levels of learning English. The app can turn any web material (e.g., a business news article) into an interactive text with a robotic voiceover.

I appreciate LinQ for the control it gives language teachers over the students' progress and the ability to manipulate the difficulty level of texts.

Pricing:

LinQ costs $8-$13/month, but there's unfortunately no free plan.

Those were the top 3 apps I use with business English students. Read this post if you’re eager to learn about the full arsenal of my helper apps.

Conclusion

In the world of technology, we can't ignore language apps. And why would we? We’re busy with work and life, unmotivated after a stressful day, and unwilling to pay hefty sums for second language lessons. Apps do their trick here. They don’t take much time, they're a fun way to learn a new language, and they’re far more affordable than tutors.

While I’m not saying apps alone replace other learning resources for students and teachers, I do say they may well become essential bricks in our journey to attaining fluency in business English. The main thing is to analyze your needs and learning style, read a few reviews, and get ready to try a few apps before settling on one. It’s wonderful if you can afford both an app and a traditional offline/online course. It’s still fine if you begin with just an app. By the way, stay tuned for our soon-to-be-launched Flying Languages app. It'll be a real find for students.