I'm a full-time office worker in my 30s, and I tried 3 online English conversation services
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to speak English smoothly at shops or hotels while traveling abroad? Or to be able to answer quickly when asked for directions by a foreigner in Japan?
Don't you have moments when you think like that?
English, which I studied so much during my student days. It feels like a waste to just let it sleep without any opportunity to use it. That's what I thought, so I decided to get off my butt and do something about it.
That said, when I actually tried to start, I didn't know which online English conversation service to choose. Can I keep it up while working full-time? Is my level okay? I was too anxious to take the first step.
So, I took the plunge and actually used three companies. Kimini English Conversation, NativeCamp, and RareJob English Conversation. In this article, I will honestly summarize what I felt using each one from the perspective of a person in their 30s learning English while working.
I will share who each one is 'suitable for,' which I only saw because I compared all three. Please try to find which one seems to suit you while reading.
I also run an affiliate blog on WordPress. If there is anyone who wants to start online English conversation after reading my blog, I would be happy if you could start via the link on my blog!
Conclusion: They are different types, so I recommend choosing based on your purpose
Let me start with the conclusion. The three companies have clearly different areas of expertise, and I felt that the correct answer is to choose based on 'which one fits my purpose' rather than 'which one is the best'.
Roughly speaking, this is the image.
People who want to make it a habit without giving up → Kimini English Conversation
People who want to continue having fun with various teaching materials → NativeCamp
People who seriously want to improve their speaking → RareJob English Conversation
From here on, I will tell you in detail about my impressions of using each company.
Kimini English Conversation: Easy to continue no matter what
The one I would most recommend to people who 'tend to give up easily' or 'are anxious about whether they can continue' is Kimini English Conversation.
The biggest feature is that the flow of preparation, lesson, and review is fixed. You don't have to think for yourself about 'what to do next,' so you can continue learning without getting lost. I think the 'Kimini Plus Course' is the only choice.
Many of the instructors were unique and interesting, and the lessons were fun. However, it was a shame that the video and audio would sometimes stop due to the instructor's communication environment. Even so, it is a step ahead in terms of ease of continuation.
I explain the flow of Kimini's teaching materials and how to choose a course in detail in my blog's review article.
▶Click here for the official Kimini English Conversation website
NativeCamp: Abundant teaching materials and just plain fun
Out of the three companies, the one I felt was the most "fun to learn with" was NativeCamp.
There is such a huge number of teaching materials that you can keep going without getting bored. I felt that the "Daily News" materials were particularly abundant, and since you can cover current events in English, it's perfect for working professionals. The good balance of being able to learn vocabulary, listening, reading, and speaking evenly is also a major appeal.
Lessons with native instructors cost more, but I felt the quality was higher to match. It is suitable for people who want to "continue enjoying English while exploring various teaching materials."
I have summarized more detailed impressions, pricing, and reviews in a blog post.
▶Click here for the official NativeCamp website
RareJob Eikaiwa: For those who are serious about improving their speaking skills
RareJob gave me the impression that it is the most focused on "speaking ability" out of the three companies.
The lessons follow a style where you keep speaking yourself, ensuring a solid amount of output. Many of the teachers are serious, which allowed me to work calmly and steadily.
What I found particularly good was the self-study app "Solo-Tore". Since you can practice shadowing in detail, you can train your speaking skills even outside of lessons. I felt it is suitable for people who can already hold daily conversations to some extent and want to aim even higher. If you are also looking into business English, it is an even better match.
I have introduced RareJob's speaking tests and learning style in detail on my blog.
▶Click here for the official RareJob Eikaiwa website
What I learned from using 3 companies
After actually using them, I felt that clarifying "what I am looking for in online English conversation" is the most important thing of all.
If you just want to make it a habit: Kimini Eikaiwa
If you want to learn in a fun and broad way: NativeCamp
If you are serious about improving your speaking ability: RareJob Eikaiwa
Each company offers a free trial, so if you are unsure, please try the one that interests you. When you actually talk, you will best understand what "suits you or doesn't suit you."
For those who want to compare pricing and features in a list, including companies other than the three introduced here, I have prepared a summary article on my blog. Please use it as a reference for choosing a service that suits you.
Let's start by having fun and beginning online English conversation together!