If you’re Latino, living in the United States or dreaming of crossing that border soon, let me tell you something that changed my life: learning English fast is not only possible, it can be much simpler than it seems.
And no, you don’t need to spend tons of money or sit through endless boring classroom hours. Today, with a phone in your hand, you can study anytime and anywhere — and best of all: your way.
It was by testing this in real life that I put together this selection of the best apps to learn English, focusing on what really matters: speaking, understanding, and truly being able to get by in everyday life.
Come with me and I’ll show you how this can work for you too.
Why learn English?
I get it. When we first start learning English, there’s that fear — of making mistakes, not understanding anything, or saying everything wrong. But here’s the thing: apps have made this process way more relaxed, interactive, and — believe it — even fun.
The biggest advantage? You study at your own pace, without pressure and with total schedule freedom. Whether you’re in line at the grocery store, on the bus, or during a work break, you can move forward a little each day — and that makes a huge difference over time.
So if you also want to learn English fast, trust me: I’ve tested every app I’ll mention here and I still use several of them today.
My 5 favorite apps
1. Memrise
This one’s a favorite of mine. Memrise focuses on vocabulary. With spaced repetition methods and everyday phrases, you learn the words you’re actually going to use.
I used to study during my lunch break or while waiting for my coffee to brew. Just five minutes a day. It helped me memorize new words and use them without fear.
It also has courses for all levels, from beginner to advanced. It was with Memrise that I truly felt my fluency improve.
2. Duolingo
No way I could start with any other. Duolingo was the first app that made me say: “this is it.”
With quick lessons, levels, and achievements, you end up having so much fun that it doesn’t even feel like studying.
It’s like a mobile game — except at the end, you actually learn to read, write, listen, and speak English.
The secret here is consistency. Use it every day? You’ll go far. I did.
3. Babbel
Babbel is for those who’ve tried everything and still haven’t made progress. The app’s edge is its focus on real-life situations, like ordering food, checking into a hotel, or understanding someone at the airport.
With grammar and pronunciation lessons, it helps unlock those mental blocks that stop you from speaking naturally.
I used it a lot before job interviews or to review common expressions. It really works.
4. HelloTalk
Now, if you want to practice with native speakers, HelloTalk is the right app. It connects you with people from around the world who are learning other languages — and many of them are native English speakers.
I got to chat with Americans, Brits, and even Australians. All from my phone — exchanging messages, voice notes, and corrections. It’s like a social network for languages.
And the best part: it’s free. You just need the courage to say that first “Hi”.
5. Busuu
Finally, Busuu. This app has a great advantage: it focuses on real-life tasks. So instead of just learning random words, you learn how to order food, book a doctor’s appointment, or chat with a neighbor…
It also has a community that helps with real corrections. I’ve received pronunciation tips from native speakers, all very friendly. If you want something more complete and practical, Busuu is a solid choice.
Other resources I used
Of course, it wasn’t just apps that helped me. Here are a few more tools that were part of my study routine:
- YouTube: There are amazing channels teaching English from beginner to advanced. One of my favorites is EnglishClass101.
- Podcasts: I started with The English We Speak and ended up listening every day on my way to work.
- Reading: I started with children’s magazines in English and today I read full articles without struggling. The BBC app helped me a lot.
- Private lessons: When I wanted to go deeper, I hired an hourly teacher on Italki. Worth every penny.
If you’ve read this far, you already know I’m not selling you a magic formula. What I did was simple: I tested, failed, kept going — and today I can confidently say yes, it is possible to learn English fast.
Especially if you’re Latino and want to live in the U.S., learning English isn’t a luxury anymore — it’s a real necessity.
With the right apps, a bit of focus, and consistent practice, you’ll be able to communicate, solve daily problems, and open doors that once felt locked.
So here’s what you should do: download at least two of these apps now, start today, and in a week, tell me how you’re feeling. I bet you’ll be surprised.
And if you want more tips like this, save this article or share it with someone who’s also on this journey.
