British English is the English of the United Kingdom, where about 69.5 million people live. It has its own words, and uTalk's British English page gives everyday examples such as feeling gutted, which means feeling devastated, and faffing around, which means wasting time. Some English apps let you choose British or American English, and a few resources are made only for British English.
For apps that cover English as a whole, see our English app comparison. Here are the apps, tutors, and free lessons we found for British English, grouped by what they help you do. You can start with one and add another when you need it.
Custom Lessons Made for You
Bubblegum
Bubblegum suits learners who want British English built around their own lives. Tell Poppy, your AI tutor, what you want to learn. She writes lessons in British English for your level and helps you understand the words and grammar. You can read and listen, and ask her about anything that is unclear. News and stories give you more British English to read about the things you care about.
The trade-off is that Bubblegum does not replace real British voices. For recorded speakers, Memrise and uTalk are the better fit, and for conversation, try the apps in Learn With People.
- British English is its own journey in Bubblegum, with lessons written in British English and voiced in a British accent.
- Lessons fit your level, interests, and goals.
- Read and listen to news and stories in British English about things you care about.
- Ask Poppy about a sentence while you read.
- Regenerative Review™ brings saved words back in new lessons, so you review them by reading instead of using flashcards.
- Lesson audio uses AI voices, not recordings of British speakers.
- You cannot import your own books or articles.
- The free plan includes one new custom lesson each day.
- Regenerative Review™
Mobile
Follow a British English Course
If you want someone to choose what comes next, start here.
Memrise
Memrise has a British English course. You choose the situations you want to prepare for, learn the words, and watch short videos of people using them. Its page says the course teaches the vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation that are particular to British English.
- Videos of British English speakers using the words you learn.
- Practice speaking with an AI language partner.
MobileWeb
Build Vocabulary
Drops
Drops teaches words through fast, playful games and pictures. You can choose British English or American English, so the words you practice match the English you want to speak.
- More than 2,000 British English words, in a course separate from its American English one.
- Each word comes with an illustration to help you remember it.
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uTalk
uTalk helps you learn British English words and phrases with short audio lessons and games, and you can record yourself to practice copying the speakers. It also has separate courses for Cockney and for English as it is spoken in Scotland.
- More than 2,500 everyday words and phrases across 60+ topics.
- Voiced by speakers who have worked for the BBC.
MobileWeb
Learn With People
A tutor can teach you and correct you while you speak. A language exchange gives you a practice partner, and you help with their language in return.
italki
Some italki tutors live in London. Some say they teach the British accent, and some prepare learners for Cambridge English qualifications and IELTS. Ask a tutor to focus on British words and sounds from your first lesson.
- Profiles say where each tutor is from, so you can look for tutors from the UK.
- Get feedback while you speak.
MobileWeb
Preply
Preply has a page for British English tutors. Their profiles mention British pronunciation, slang, idioms, and exam skills. Watch intro videos to find a tutor who fits your level and goals.
- A page for British English tutors, who come from across the UK and have a range of regional accents.
- A one-to-one British English Pronunciation course.
MobileWeb
Tandem
Tandem has a page for English language exchange in London. Agree with your partner on how to split your time between English and your own language.
- Practice with messages, voice chat, and video.
- Find language partners in London.
- It can take a few tries to find a partner who matches your interests and time.
MobileWeb
Free Lessons, Videos, and Dictionaries From Britain
- BBC Learning English has lessons from the BBC. Its podcast 6 Minute English covers a topic each week and explains helpful words and phrases in about six minutes, and every episode comes with a worksheet. The English We Speak is another BBC series for learners.
- The British Council's LearnEnglish site has podcasts, videos, and apps. Its Sounds Right app shows the British English phonemic chart, and you tap a sound to hear it, then hear three example words.
- Oxford Learner's Dictionaries is an online dictionary for learners, and each entry plays British and American pronunciations so you can listen for the British one.
- English with Lucy is a YouTube channel for intermediate and advanced learners from Lucy, a British teacher of English, with lessons on grammar, cultural differences, and speaking with confidence.
- Speak English with Mister Duncan has English lessons on YouTube from Mr Duncan, a teacher based in England who has made videos for learners since 2006.
Learn British English in Your Language
These counts cover menu-language choices, including script variants. Other apps’ counts and full lists come from their iPhone listings. Lesson explanations and other platforms may differ.
| App | Supported Display Languages | Full List |
|---|---|---|
| Bubblegum | 74 | Full list
|
| Memrise | 22 | Full list |
| Drops | 16 | Full list |
| uTalk | 1 | Full list |
| italki | 19 | Full list |
| Preply | 19 | Full list |
| Tandem | 14 | Full list |
Other Apps We Looked At (2)
- HelloTalkA language exchange app with a page of language partners in the United Kingdom, so you can chat with people in cities such as Manchester and Edinburgh by text, voice, or video.
- Write & ImproveA tool from the University of Cambridge. You write a response to a task and get feedback in seconds on spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and style.
Common Questions
Which British English resource should a beginner choose?
Start with Memrise's British English course or Drops for words, and add a tutor from the UK on italki or Preply when you want to speak. Bubblegum suits learners who want lessons around their own interests. If you are curious about another variety, see our guide to Australian English.
Can I learn British English for free?
Yes. The British Council's LearnEnglish materials are free, and you do not need an account to use them. BBC Learning English and Oxford Learner's Dictionaries are free to use too. Bubblegum's lesson library is free to read as well.
Is Bubblegum free?
Yes. You can read the free lesson library and ask Poppy for one new custom lesson each day on iPhone and Android. Become a Bubblegum Pro for unlimited custom lessons and to support our team.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Population estimates for the UK, mid-2025
- uTalk: Learn British English
- Drops: Learn British English
- Drops: Learn American English
- Memrise: British English course
- Preply: British English classes
- italki: English teachers
- Tandem: Learn English in London
- British Council LearnEnglish: Sounds Right
- British Council LearnEnglish
- BBC Learning English
- Oxford Learner's Dictionaries
- Bubblegum
Checked on October 5, 2026 against each app's own pages.
