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    Learn English with Rosetta Stone

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    English is everywhere — in airports, job applications, menus, movies, and conversations between people from all over the world. It’s often the first step toward new experiences, new opportunities, and greater independence.

    Whether you’re learning for your career, education, or everyday life, you can start building real communication skills right away. You don’t have to be perfect — you just have to begin. With the right tools, progress comes faster than you think.

    Why learn English?

    English is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people — it’s the most widely studied language in the world. From business meetings to international travel, English is everywhere. Learning it unlocks opportunities and makes the world more accessible.

    Whether you’re applying for a job, studying abroad, or meeting new people, English gives you the tools to participate fully and fearlessly.

    Top reasons to learn English

    • Speak with the world: English is spoken in over 100 countries and across every continent.
    • Travel smarter: From airports to restaurants, English is often the go-to language in international settings.
    • Grow your career: Many global companies require or prefer English proficiency.
    • Access global culture: Understand popular films, music, books, and news in their original form.
    • Learn for life: Mastering English boosts memory, confidence, and communication skills.

    English language basics

    Where is English spoken?

    English is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide — either as a native, second, or foreign language. It’s the official language in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, and it’s commonly used in global business, travel, and education.

    How long does it take to learn English?

    It depends on your goals — but daily, consistent practice makes a big difference. Even short sessions (10–15 minutes a day) can lead to steady improvement. You’ll likely understand and speak basic English within a few weeks, especially with the right tools.

    Two friends outside in a busy American city.

    English proficiency: from beginner to advanced

    Beginner

    Start with common greetings and practical phrases:

    • Introduce yourself and ask simple questions

    • Learn essential verbs like to be, to have, to want

    • Talk about people, places, and routines

    Intermediate

    Expand your confidence:

    • Use present, past, and future tenses

    • Understand directions, restaurant menus, and everyday situations

    • Hold short conversations and write simple messages

    Advanced

    Move toward fluency:

    • Use complex grammar and varied sentence structures

    • Express emotions, opinions, and abstract ideas

    • Read books, follow the news, and watch films in English

    Core English skills

    Pronunciation tips

    English pronunciation varies by region, but here are a few helpful basics:

    • Some letters have multiple sounds depending on context — like the “a” in cat vs. cake.
    catcake
    • Word stress matters — for example, PREsent (noun) vs. preSENT (verb).
    present (noun)present (verb)
    • English has many silent letters — like the “k” in know or the “b” in thumb.
    knowthumb
    • Practice listening and repeating to build rhythm and confidence.
    A traveler using English at an airport.

    Vocabulary and origins

    English has borrowed words from many other languages, which means you may already recognize words like hotel, piano, or restaurant. Many English words share roots with French, Latin, and German, making it easier to spot patterns.

    Useful phrases

    Start with high-frequency expressions like:

    • Hello / HiHelloHi
    • How are you?How are you?
    • Thank youThank you
    • Nice to meet youNice to meet you
    • Can you help me?Can you help me?

    English verbs

    English verbs don’t have as many endings as some other languages, but they change for tense and subject. For example: I go, he goes, we went, they will go.

    Regular practice helps these patterns become second nature.

    Nouns and articles

    English uses the articles a, an, and the — and nouns can be singular or plural (e.g., dog / dogs). Some rules have exceptions, but consistent exposure helps.

    Regional variations

    English sounds different across countries and even within regions — American, British, Australian, and other accents vary in pronunciation, vocabulary, and slang. Rosetta Stone teaches clear, standard English, and helps you understand multiple accents over time.

    Best ways to learn English

    • Online: Study anytime with Rosetta Stone on desktop or mobile. Sign up now!
    • Classroom learning: A great option for structured group practice.
    • Private tutoring: Get 1-on-1 support tailored to your goals. The best source for English tutors is Wyzant.
    • Language exchange: Practice speaking with fluent or native speakers.
    • Immersion: Live, work, or travel in an English-speaking region to boost fluency.

    Media and tools to support learning

    • Dictionaries & tools: Use Vocabulary.com, Dictionary.com, or Thesaurus.com to look up definitions, hear pronunciations, and expand your word knowledge. Spanish speakers can also try inglés.com for bilingual definitions, grammar tips, and translation support.
    • Books: Begin with children’s books or adapted short stories.
    • Music & podcasts: Listen to English songs or learner-friendly podcasts.
    • TV & films: Watch with English subtitles to improve comprehension and vocabulary.
    • Quick assessments: Use Emmersion to take a short speaking or writing test and measure your progress over time.

    Learn English with Rosetta Stone

    Rosetta Stone’s award-winning program is built to get you speaking English naturally and confidently:

    Real-world speaking practice

    Voice recognition helps fine-tune your pronunciation.

    Clear grammar support

    Learn structure without memorizing endless rules.

    Smart review

    Spaced repetition helps reinforce what you’ve learned.

    Cultural insights

    Understand how English is used around the world.

    Two friends speaking English outside on a Canadian waterfront.

    Take the first step

    Rosetta Stone offers a free first lesson so you can start right away. Whether you're learning English for work, school, travel, or personal growth — Rosetta Stone will guide you every step of the way.

    Get started

    What’s included with your subscription

    Achieve fluency faster with Rosetta Stone’s expert-designed Dynamic Immersion courses.

    Perfect your accent with TruAccent speech recognition technology and sound like a native speaker.

    Access to Rosetta Stone on web or mobile—learn anytime, anywhere!

    What our customers are saying

    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I absolutely love the approach that Rosetta Stone utilizes. It feels like a natural and fun way to learn a new language. I also appreciate that I’m able to squeeze lessons in when I only have 10 minutes… and it’s a more productive and enjoyable activity than getting sucked into online scrolling just to distract myself. Why not learn a new language instead?

    - Turner
    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I have been using Rosetta Stone for over 30 years. By far, this is the best application for language learning. There are no language crutches, only immersion. You learn in a natural way and move forward quickly. Apps with games are fun, but you learn more slowly, and you are always “translating,” not immersing. Rosetta Stone makes language learning interesting and efficient.

    - Graham