Better English, One Story at a Time.
Short audio stories with guided exercises to sharpen your listening, reading, and vocabulary
How it works!
StartupESL provides the best English learning resources to help improve your listening and reading skills.
Choose a Story
Choose from our library of interesting stories.
Listen and Read
Follow along with the built-in text and high-quality audio.
Practice and Learn
Built-in practice exercises for every story.
Why StartupESL?
Stories with real themes
No textbook – our stories are about real people, real feelings, real situations.
Exercises that lock in learning
Vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar practice built into every lesson.
Built for real-life English
Vocabulary you’ll actually use – from travel to work to everyday conversation.
What's new?
Find the latest dialogues, stories, and audio lessons right here!
- A2
- Listening/Speaking
- A2
- Listening/Speaking
English Mini-Stories
The Unsent Email
- B1
- Vocabulary/Listening
The Quiet Shelf
- B1
- Vocabulary/Listening
What Lina Noticed
- B1
- Vocabulary/Listening
English Grammar Stories
Master grammar with interesting stories.
Practice English with
Role-Play Scenarios
Role-play is one of the most effective and engaging ways to build speaking confidence. At StartupESL, you’ll find a wide range of detailed ESL role-play activities designed for real-world situations – from casual conversations to workplace challenges. Each scenario helps learners practice natural vocabulary, improve fluency, and prepare for everyday English communication.
Want to work with StartupESL?
You’ll work with professional teachers who care about your improvement.
Study Independently
Study and learn from our short, effective English lessons.
Learn Online at Your Own Pace
Online study materials and flexible scheduling let you study at your convenience.
One-on-One Lessons
Work with a teacher for a personal experience.
Want to learn on a flexible schedule?
Find the time that’s perfect for you!
Choose a package
Select from one of the lesson packages to begin your English journey.
Choose a day and time
Reserve a time and day that fits your schedule.
Prepare for class!
Pay for your package and get ready to learn English!
English for beginners
Start your English learning journey with beginner English lessons.
Short & Simple Stories
Easy-to-understand texts designed for beginners. No long paragraphs or complex grammar.
Listen While You Read
The audio included with every short story naturally improves listening and pronunciation.
Easy Dialogues
Listen to and practice simple dialogues for everyday situations.
Popular Courses
General English
IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH VOCABULARY
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
BUILD CONFIDENCE
General English focuses on a wide range of topics you might encounter out in the world. Lower-level students will focus on everyday tasks such as ordering food, getting around town, and seeing a doctor.
Higher-level students will dive into environmental topics, health and wellness, technology, and more!
Grammar Growth
FIX YOUR GRAMMAR MISTAKES
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING SKILLS
BUILD CONFIDENCE
Grammar is an essential building block in language. In these lessons, students learn simple to complex grammar points.
This structured course is guaranteed to improve your grammar and speaking skills.
If you are struggling with grammar, this will be the perfect course for you.
Take the first step today!
Get started by booking a trial lesson