Among the many websites offering English language instruction and learning materials are UsingEnglish.com, Rong-Chang.com, English-Zone.com, World-English.org, theLinguist.com, Learn-English-Online.org, OpenEnglishWorld.com and LearnOnlineEnglish.com. Rosetta Stone, a company known for producing language learning computer programs, offers online English modules, while the British Council, a non-governmental organization specializing in international education, runs LearnEnglish, a free online educational resource. ETS.org is run by English Language Learning, an organization that administers TOEFL and TOEIC English language tests.
The purpose of English language learning sites varies. Rosetta Stone, for instance, is a for-profit company. Thus, the purpose of its website is to earn money as well as teach English. British Council is a non-profit organization. Its LearnEnglish website exists for purely educational purposes. English-Zone.com and Ron-Chang.com are for-proft educational websites. Some material on these sites is viewable by the general public, while other information is available only to members. UsingEnglish.com is an entirely free website created to provide English as a Second Language, or ESL, resources to students, teachers, learners and academics.
UsingEnglish.com has language learner sections such as English Idioms, English Phrasal Verbs and English Irregular Verbs as well as teacher resources such as handouts, lesson plans and worksheets. The site also provides tests, quizzes, analytical and statistical tools and articles on teaching the English language. World-English.org has reams of vocabulary and grammar content, including tests, quizzes and lessons covering vocabulary A-Z, prepositions, adjectives, nouns and comparison pieces such as "For or Since," "So or Such," and "Say or Tell." Content on other sites includes listening activities, video modules, exams and activities for children, such as learning colors and the alphabet.
English language learning site credibility is obvious in some cases and obscure in others. Rosetta Stone and the British Council, for instance, are organizations with positive international reputations. World-English.org, on the other hand, has no official accreditation. However, the "About Us" section of the site says that site administrators are "translators, teachers, writers and academics working with English language and linguistics." Ron C. Lee, PhD, runs Ron-Chang.com. He has published numerous articles on English and English learning over his career. Learn-English-Online.org makes no claim about accreditation or the source of its content.