We know there are many courses out there that promise ways to learn English completely online, so choosing the best one for you can be a difficult task, requiring a lot of research.
You've probably heard of Coursera, a platform with some global recognition, but how do its English courses work?
Here, we'll teach you everything about this platform, from its classes to its cost and user reviews.
What is Coursera?
Coursera is an online course platform available since 2012 that offers classes on a wide variety of skills, such as programming, administrative and project management, digital marketing, and, of course, English lessons.
Its main feature is that all its courses are designed and taught by prestigious universities around the world.
Some of the most notable are:
- Oxford
- Stanford
- University of Pennsylvania
- Georgia Institute of Technology
You'll also find courses from private companies that stand out in their industry. All of this is done with the goal of offering the best possible training to their users.
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How do English courses work on Coursera?
Whether you just want to learn the names of countries in English or tackle something trickier like the passive voice, Coursera’s got a course for you.
- The university offering the course is responsible for generating all the content.
- It also records the lessons and designs practice guides.
- The materials offered by each university can be accessed at any time after paying for the subscription.
- They organize discussion forums to ask questions or communicate with other students in English.
However, at no time are pronunciation exercises performed with immediate feedback.
Top English Courses and How Coursera Teaches Them
While many apps now use AI to teach English, Coursera takes a more traditional route. Its lessons are pre-recorded by certified instructors, most of whom teach at U.S. universities.
The platform’s method is simple: short, clear video lessons you can replay as often as you need. Each class is organized around a specific theme and comes with practice exercises and downloadable guides. This approach is especially effective in popular courses like the ones below.
- Learn English: Beginning Grammar.
- English for Professional Development.
- American English Pronunciation.
- English for Common Workplace Interactions: Basic Level.
- Learn English: Intermediate Grammar.
- Business English.
While there are a variety of options to suit your goals, the truth is that having recorded classes doesn't provide true customization.
Regarding the cost of the lessons, Coursera offers a subscription for $49 per month. By paying this amount, you'll have access to all the courses you want simultaneously.
While Coursera uses generic recordings, Papora offers unlimited live classes.
Try a method that really works from A1 to C1 level.
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Advantages and disadvantages of studying English on Coursera
Now that you know how Coursera works, it's time to look at its advantages and limitations before enrolling there:
| Advantages ✅ | Disadvantages ❌ |
| Flexibility: You can complete each course at your own time and pace ⏰ | Personalization: When working with recordings, you won't receive classes tailored to your goals and needs ⚠️ |
| Certified instructors: Most of their courses are taught by US university professors 👨🏫 | Pronunciation: They do not offer a method for practicing language pronunciation or advice for communicating 🗣️ |
| Topics: You'll find grammar courses, job placement courses, beginner courses, and more 📚 | Certificate: Although they offer a certificate, it has an additional cost once you finish 💸 |
| Exercise guides: You will have different resources available to practice ✍️ | Traditional approach: Their courses use very basic resources that do not motivate students to continue studying 😴 |
Coursera User Reviews
If you want to take English classes in Bogotá, from home, or from anywhere in the world, you need to know which platform you're going to enroll in. For this reason, we evaluated Coursera user reviews to understand how its service is.
Many of its users have complained about glitches in the website's payment systems:
“They charged me 44 euros without prior notice, even though I was within the cancellation period for the subscription they forced me to accept in order to obtain a course certificate. In the end, I didn't even receive the certificate, and on top of that, they charged me 44 euros. They didn't respond to my complaint except with an email referring me to their FAQ website... A TOTAL SCAM.”
Regarding their courses, the most common opinion is that they offer classes with outdated topics and that they repeat the content many times:
“Waste of time and money, the topics are repeated level by level. I took the digital marketing course and basically just wasted my time and money. The certificates are invalid and the topics are monotonous. Don't waste money with these scammers.”
They even fail to deliver certificates, even after students have completed the content and paid their subscription.
“I'm giving them one star because I can't give them any less. After completing the entire six-module Google Project Management Certificate program, which is listed on my Coursera profile with the corresponding diplomas, I find myself embroiled in a never-ending argument with their customer service team, who insists I have to complete the Spanish version of a course I've already taken in order to obtain my certificate. It's unheard of.”
Some users report they can’t even get through to customer service, leaving their technical issues unresolved.
“Coursera is very interesting, but the loading speed of the website is rubbish. I've been trying to contact someone from support for 40 minutes and it's impossible. I started a course but the initial explanatory video stops loading every 10 seconds. I need help and there's no way to contact someone who can help you.”
The best option to study English: Papora
If you're looking for a platform that teaches you everything from English numbers to complex grammar topics with fun, personalized, and dynamic classes, then you need to check out Papora.
A website focused solely on English, it offers unlimited classes per month with native-level teachers with teaching experience. There you'll get:
- Unlimited classes with flexible schedules that adapt to your availability.
- + 500 entertaining lessons from A1 to C1 that keep you motivated.
- Live tips to improve your learning, real feedback.
- Practical exercises on everyday topics for you to apply in real life.
- Classes with a human approach and diverse topics in each session.
With Papora, you won’t just study English—you’ll live it. You’ll listen to real English, practice in real conversations with classmates and teachers, and gain the confidence to speak without fear. And unlike Coursera, you’ll also get a free certificate when you finish your classes, taking you all the way to an advanced C1 level under the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Papora lets you practice pronunciation live—and get real feedback that actually helps you improve
Unlike other courses, here you learn by communicating with expert teachers and unlimited speaking classes from day one.
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Frequently asked questions about learning English on Coursera
No, the platform currently only offers a 7-day free trial to take the courses you want. After this period, you must pay a subscription to receive the certificate and continue studying.
Coursera offers courses for beginners in English, or for those who already know the language. In this sense, you don't need a specific level to start studying there, as you'll find options that suit you, although it's not a platform specializing solely in English.
