I do not believe that the internet can replace a real teacher, or traditional lessons, but they can certainly help you and there are thousands of web sites out there. Below is a list of some web sites that are good for learning English in your free time. Click on the title to visit the site.
Recently, another way to study English has become very popular, applications, or Apps. Further down the page are some of my App suggestions for Andriod & iPhones.
Recommended Web Sites for General English
BBC Learning English
This is a very good site with lots of different activities for you try. Start by looking at the left hand side of the page. Lot's of the activities are in some way related to Britain or British culture and of course, everything is in British English!
ESL Gold
A very good general English learning site. Use the links at the top of the page to find exactly what you are looking for.
The English-Zone
This is one of the most popular sites for learners of English.
5-Minute English
This site is easy to use and has a variety of short activities for learning English.
This is the web site for the the Japan Times' student newspaper. Lots of interesting articles and advice about learning English. Check the 'Easily Confused English' section, a monthly feature that looks at words that seem similar but have very different meanings.
This site is very easy to use and has many, many quizzes. There are even some billingual, (Japanese and English), quizzes too.
Recommended Web Sites for Listening Practice
ESL Pod Or, iTunes strore, Click Here.This is an excellent Podcast site. Each Podcast has a slow recording, followed by an explanation and then a fast recording. Of course, you can download these podcasts and put them on your Walkman or iPod. There are also scripts for each Podcast.
Podcasts in English
This is a good site for listening. It is simple to use, easy to find your level and has a large number of podcasts to download. However, if you want to download the scripts, worksheets etc. you will have to become a member which will cost you about ¥2,000 for 3 months.
The English Listening Library Online (ELLLO)
Again, this site is a little difficult to use at first but it has thousands of things to listen to. The English is natural and there are a wide range of accents. Each listening also has a script on the same page so you can listen and read at the same time.
*HINT click on the numbers on the left of the page for more listenings.
Randall's ESL Cyber Listening Lab
Randall's is an excellent site for listening practice but it is quite difficult to use at first. After getting used to the site, however, you will discover a huge variety of short listening quizzes with multiple-choice questions. The listening quizzes are divided into Easy, Medium, Difficult & Very Difficult, so there is should be something for everyone! All quizzes also have a script that you can look at online or download and print.
There is also a self study guide that you can follow, click here to go to the study guide.
News, Culture & Current Affairs sites
The Japan Times Online
Japan's No.1 English newspaper is also available online.
Highlighting Japan
This is a monthly English magazine issued by the Japanese government. It covers a variety of themes in an attractive, easy to read format. There are also free Android and iPhone Apps.
Japan Today
An Japan news and discussion site in English.
Metropolis
This is a magazine site that claims to be 'Japan's No.1 English magazine'. It is aimed at foreigners living in Japan, with a bias towards those in Tokyo. PDF versions of the magazine and podcasts are also available for download.
RECCOMMENDATIONS TO COME:
Recommended Web Sites for Reading Practice
Recommended Web Sites for Speaking Practice
Recommended Web Sites for Writing Practice
Recommended Web Sites for Grammar Practce
Recommended Web Sites for TOEIC Practice
Recommended Applications for iPhone and Andriod
