Learning without borders: five lessons from five years of online English

Read time: 6 minutes

What began at kitchen tables and in quiet corners of cafés has become a global classroom. As the British Council marks five years of teaching English online – and with National Online Learning Day celebrated on 15 September – what have learners and teachers discovered really works? These five simple lessons can help anyone thrive online.

The beginning: a new kind of classroom

Five years ago, many learners asked the same question: Can I really learn well online?
Today, millions can answer: Yes – when it’s done with care, community, and smart habits.

Consider Ayesha, a young engineer in Pakistan. She needed English to present confidently to international colleagues but couldn’t attend an in-person class after long shifts. Online lessons gave her the flexibility to learn at 9 p.m., when her home finally became quiet. Or Diego, in Colombia, who worked nights and joined afternoon classes with classmates in Poland, Egypt and Italy. Learning English online didn’t just fit their lives - it connected them to people they would never otherwise meet and gave them a real opportunity to learn and practise their English in a meaningful environment.

If you’re starting - or restarting - your own online learning journey, you don’t need perfect technology, unlimited time or a private office. You need a few simple habits. Below are five lessons shaped by thousands of classes and countless student stories.

1) Find your space (even if it’s small)

Online learning doesn’t mean anywhere, anytime. It works best when you choose the same place every time - a regular spot that tells your brain, 'Now I’m going to study.' 

Try this:

• Pick a consistent place. It can be a corner of your room, a seat in the library, or the same chair in a café.
• Reduce distractions. Use headphones. Put your phone face down or in another room.
• Set the scene. A glass of water, a notebook, a pen. Open your class link five minutes early.

Myth vs reality
Myth: 'I need a home office to study online.'
Reality: You need a habit and a quiet environment, not a home office.

2) Make it routine: progress comes with small, regular steps

The most successful online learners treat their classes like appointments they keep with themselves - not optional events they 'try to fit in.'

Try this:

• Keep a consistent timetable. If possible, attend at the same time each week.
• Create a ritual around your classes: very soon after the class review what you have learned and if possible, practise the language, e.g. with consolidation materials. Then ahead of the next lesson (but not 10 minutes before!) do any pre-class learning to prepare you for the next class
• Use additional micro-learning between classes (5-10 minutes): listen to a short podcast, read a news paragraph, or write two sentences about your day.

Quick-win habit: End every lesson by writing a one-sentence summary in your own words. Next class, read it out loud as your warm-up.

3) Learn with others: your classmates are your secret advantage

Many people worry online classes will feel lonely. In reality, online courses can be more social - if you use the opportunities available. Breakout groups, chat boxes and group projects help you practise English with people from different countries and careers in a more meaningful way than if you and the other learners all share a same common language.

Student voice
Can, Turkey
'While you learn English, talking and sharing opinions about a novel by Dickens is such a lovely benefit that you may not find elsewhere but here.'

Try this:

• Say yes to pair work and group chats. Practice is where progress happens.
• Ask and answer questions when you work in pairs or groups. Helping others helps you remember.

Connection tip: At the end of class our students can join our sharing sessions in which they can talk about other topics. It strengthens community - and your listening and speaking skills.

4) Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

One of the biggest obstacles to learning a language isn’t grammar or vocabulary - it’s fear. Many learners hold back because they don’t want to 'sound wrong.' But mistakes aren’t failure. They’re evidence that you’re practising, experimenting, and growing.

Student voices 
Denis, Italy
'Pronunciation and grammar rules seemed overwhelming, but I pushed through. Now I can actually can speak with people from other countries!'

Cholticha, Thailand
'I am working hard to improve my pronunciation by listening carefully, practicing speaking every day, and trying to mimic native speakers. I believe that with time and consistent practice, I will be able to speak more clearly and confidently.'

Try this:

• Keep a simple 'mistake log'. Write down one or two errors after each lesson, then rewrite the sentences correctly.
• Focus on communication first, accuracy second. Did your partner understand you? That’s a success.
• Celebrate progress. If you can say more today than you could a month ago—even with errors - that’s growth.

Confidence boost: Before class, remind yourself: I give myself permission to make mistakes today. The more risks you take, the more fluent you’ll become.

5) Know your why: purpose keeps you going

Motivation comes and goes. Purpose stays. The clearest difference between learners who persist and those who stop is that the first group can answer, “Why am I doing this?” in one sentence.

Student voices:
Dian, Malaysia
'My dream is to help poor kids in my area who can't afford English courses. I want to speak like a native speaker someday!'

Markéta, Czech Republic
'I'm so happy that I can now speak with my English-speaking friends and even understand their jokes! As a journalist, being able to conduct interviews in English has been incredible. I started volunteering on an international dance festival and I can converse with visitors or teachers.'

Try this:

• Write your 'why' in 10-12 words. Keep it visible where you study.
• Turn big goals into small milestones: 'Ask one question in English at work this week.'
• Track progress you can feel: 'Today, I understood a joke in English' or 'I ordered coffee without switching languages.'

Reflection prompt:
At the end of each week, finish this sentence: 'Because I studied, I can now…'. Keep a list. It becomes your motivation on days you feel stuck.

Short, true stories that might be your story too:

'My goal is to study for a master's degree in environmental sciences in the UK, and English is making that dream possible. Since learning English, I've made friends from other countries and discovered so many different cultures. It's opened up the whole world to me!'
- Omar, Peru

'I hope English will change my life. I remember visiting the Dominican Republic in 2017 and not understanding anything – that was the moment I knew I needed to learn.'
- Tetiana, Ukraine

These stories are small on the page but large in a learner’s life. They show a pattern: clear habits, human support, and a purpose you can say out loud.

A 30-minute weekly routine

• 10 minutes: Do some post-class revision – complete any post-class activities set and review any notes you made.
• 5 minutes: Do some 'freeform' English practice. Record a voice note saying what you learned, or read a blog post on the topic of your choice and write down new vocabulary.
• 15 minutes: Prepare yourself for the next class by doing any pre-class activities set, or searching for online content on the topic of your next class.