Show more screenshots »

Learning a new language can be a grueling task. EnglishCentral has found a way to make learning the English language fun and engaging. Rather than listening to video instructions, user scan enjoy popular online videos to learn form. EnglishCentral adds context, dictionary tools, and captions to help the user out. The user speaks the video and EnglishCentral provides feedback on how well the user did. User can also choose from varying difficulty levels so that they can find a comfortable starting point to hone their English speaking skills.

Founder Alan Schwartz created EnglishCentral in 2008. Based out of Lexington, Massachusetts, English Central was intended to be a new kind of language learning software. The application received significant funding in 2009. The current team includes Directors Axel Bichara, Mike Phillips, and Rich Miner. Today, English Central helps users improve their English speaking and comprehension skills through a listen and speak format which can be very effective for many individuals.

Many language learning programs offer a better way to learn English; however English Central actually makes it interesting. Users will be more inclined to continue practicing and improving as they enjoy popular video clips from all over the internet as a way to study. Using actual real life examples also makes it easier for users to understand how to use what they learn in an actual situation. English Central will help keep language learners engaged and entertained while they become better English speakers.

The English Central website uses an eye-catching red and white color scheme, complimented by full color images. New users can quickly get started by selecting a difficulty level to sort available videos. Users can also choose from category listings to find something that actually interests them. Categories include business, education, dining, shopping, music, sports, shopping, social life, technology, daily life, environment, movies and television, video gaming, and travel. The actual videos are easy to use, and include a bar to monitor points earned along with a caption bar that includes an English text and second language text that can be hidden. For further explanation, users can click on words for a definition or pronunciation.

To being using English Central, users can click on the red “Sign up for English Central!” link at the top right hand corner of the homepage. The user is presented with the registration form, which asks for a nickname, optional organization or school name, email address, password, home country and native language. After completing the form, the user can click the red “Register” button found at the bottom to complete the sign up process.

The cost of English Central is another enticing aspect of the application. Anyone can create an account for free. There are no subscription fees and no premium paid account offered at this time. It is important to note that English Central is currently in a beta status so this may change in the future. No additional information has been provided as far as whether or not the service will require a fee or how much that might be. For now, anyone can create an English Central account and begin using the available videos at no cost.

Anyone who is perfecting their English language skills can really appreciate English Central. By using popular internet videos, English Central has made learning the language a little more exciting. Users can chose from videos based on topics they actually find interesting rather than repeating bland audio from educational software.

• Browse a long list of diverse categories to find interesting videos
• Sort available videos by difficulty to choose a comfortable starting point
• Earn points to show whether or not the user is improving
• Read captions provided in English and the user’s native language
• Click on words for definitions and pronunciations

EnglishCentral video

comments powered by Disqus