Recently, my inbox has been flooded with messages asking which English speaking training class is better. As someone who has tried 8 different institutions and wasted almost 30,000 RMB on bad courses, I’m breaking down 3 mainstream options I’ve personally tested today.

01Offline Chain Institution Large Classes: For Disciplined Learners With Lots of Spare Time

Suitable for recent graduates with plenty of free time who prefer learning in a group atmosphere.

Pros: You can study with classmates, and the offline setting has stronger binding force, so you’re less likely to slack off.

Cons are obvious too: The progress follows the average level of the class. You have to waste time waiting for slower learners even if you already master the knowledge. You get at most 3 chances to speak per class, which is a total waste of time.

Actual cost: Starting from 20,000 RMB per year, average 150+ RMB per class. If you miss a class, it’s void directly, no refund or reschedule.

02Freelance Foreign Teachers On Private Tutoring Platforms: For Advanced Learners Who Want To Practice Specific Topics

Suitable for advanced learners who can already communicate in daily scenarios and want to practice different accents or specific scenarios like business or travel English.

Pros: You can choose teachers from different countries, and booking time is relatively flexible.

Cons: Teacher turnover is extremely high. You have to reintroduce your level every time you get a new teacher. There’s no unified teaching system, and many teachers are part-time international students without professional teaching training.

For example, Xiao Lin, who works in foreign trade, used this kind of platform before. She encountered teachers who canceled last minute for 3 weeks in a row. She didn’t have a proper class for half a month, and the speaking sense she had built up faded away.

Actual cost: 80-120 RMB per class. If you get an unsuitable teacher, you waste the class fee directly, and refunds charge a 30% handling fee.

03Online 1-on-1 High-frequency Short Courses: My Top Recommendation For Anyone Asking Which English Speaking Training Class Is Better

Suitable for ordinary office workers and moms who can’t squeeze out large chunks of time, and zero/basic learners who want to start speaking quickly.

Take Kuaku English, which I have studied with for half a year, for example. All foreign teachers are full-time staff at the physical campus in Manila, Philippines, with TESOL certificates and unified teaching training, so no last-minute cancellations. They use the Callan Method to force you to speak, no awkward silences and no endless teacher lectures. Each 25-minute high-frequency short class can be taken during work breaks or after getting home from work, no need to arrange long blocks of time specially. Course directions range from general English to business English and IELTS speaking. You can check all course directions first to find the suitable content if you have needs.

Actual cost: Around the price of a cup of milk tea per class. Even if you practice speaking English every day, there’s no financial pressure, so it’s extremely cost-effective.

One of my former students practiced speaking English for 25 minutes every day. After 2 months, she dared to make video calls to foreign clients directly, while she could barely introduce herself before.
——Luna, a Kuaku English teacher with 5 years of teaching experience

After talking so much, how do you choose a course without stepping into traps? I’ve sorted out 3 hard criteria I’ve used for years:

  • Calculate your available study time first. If you can only squeeze 10-30 minutes of fragmented time each day, directly skip large classes that take 2 hours each time
  • Prioritize courses with high speaking rate. If you speak less than 50% of the class time, don’t sign up no matter how cheap it is. After all, the core of English speaking practice methods is to speak more
  • Book a free trial class first to feel the teacher’s style and course rhythm. Don’t buy annual cards worth thousands of RMB directly, it’s hard to get a refund if you find it unsuitable later

Frankly speaking, I personally prefer the high-frequency short course mode. Taking one 2-hour class a week is really not as effective as practicing 25 minutes every day.

Actually, when you are tangled about which English speaking training class is better, you don’t need to compare fancy marketing gimmicks. The one that fits your schedule and makes you dare to speak is the best. If you want to try, you can book a free trial class directly to experience it.