Hi there! I use YouTube a lot to practice because I like watching videos and well, basically just that. Practicing with videos is really good, you listen, watch, and read (if it has subtitles) you get all in one source. In another post about improving your listening with podcasts, I told about how important it is to listen English even if you don’t pay attention to it, well here you have another resource that is going to help you with that, too. It’s free and you already use it!
When you go to YouTube you can see that there are plenty but I mean A LOT of videos, about makeup, tutorials, TV programs, trailers, anything. Whatever you are interested in, you are going to find it here.
You can just search for videos that you like in English, do you like makeup? Go and watch a tutorial in English. Do you like movies? There are some channels that post videos about theories of movies (really interesting). Just search something (in English) and BOOM you’ll practice and have fun or learn something without getting bored in the process.
This is going to help you and you will listen to real people talk at a normal speed, because let’s be clear those learning books in class speak so slow for you to understand, so they adapt for you but remember that you have to adapt also to understand English speakers.
Some channels I like that can help you if you don't know what to look for:
1. TED talks – intermediate
TEDed: the videos are educational. You can find lessons, about many different topics, you can learn about a lot of things you even didn’t know existed! and most of the videos come with subtitles (really helpful) If you want here is one: One of the most difficult words to translate.
TEDx: here the conferences are international, well the normal TED talks too, the difference is just that the conferences are in any part of the world. (A really good channel to listen to different accents) If you like: How to Make Anything Out of Paper
2. Soul Pancake – intermediate
here they have different mini-shows about a lot of topics. I will just leave it here and you go and check it out
I like this one: A Pep Talk from Kid President to You
3. The Film Theorist – advanced
As the name said it, in this channel the videos explain CRAZY theories about popular movies, really you get like WHAT?
One video: Film Theory: The Cars in the Cars Movie AREN’T CARS!
5. Easy English – beginner to intermediate
This channels has a lots of videos with conversations on various topics. In each video they introduce new vocabulary and grammar in context. The videos are animated with subtitles and the people speak very clear. The videos range from beginner to upper-intermediate.
A video recommendation: Common English Phrases
6. Learn English with TV series – intermediate
Tired of not understanding the jokes that are told on your favorite TV program? You should visit this channel!
Powered by RealLife English. Here you can improve you listening comprehension, using popular TV shows, movies, and talk shows. In each video. They cover one or two scenes from a TV shows or movies. First, You get to watch the scene with subtitles. Then, they explain some important vocabulary, pronunciation and culture context. Finally, you watch the scene again without subtitles to test your knowledge. Some videos have a free PDF and MP3 lesson!
I recommend this channel if you’re an intermediate learner. The vocabulary they cover is not for beginner.
A recommendation: Potion Class with Professor Snape | Learn English With Harry Potter
7. Dad, how do I?
It is a channel created by Rob Kenney. On his videos he gives advice on how to do everyday tasks. For example, how to shave your face, tie a tie or change a tire. He also teaches how to fix things from your bathroom or car.
His videos are great to learn some vocabulary about basic activites we do, but that English course don’t normally teach.
If you want to see a video here is a recommendation: How to tie a tie.
8. Disney Channel and Disney XD – intermediate
It If you live in a country where it’s not possible to watch TV shows in English, this is a great option. The Youtube channel of Disney and Disney XD have full episodes of many shows, including Phineas and Ferb, Raven’s Home, Wizards of Waverly Place. Sadly, most of the videos don’t have subtitles but cartoon and animation shows have good quality audio so they’re a great resource to practice your listening skills.
Some recommendations to watch in these channels:
LIVE! Phineas and Ferb Season 1 Full Episodes! or LIVE! | Wizards of Waverly Place Season 1 Full Episodes