Ever wonder how much time you spend on your phone a day? According to the latest studies, the average person spends 2 hours and 22 minutes on social media per day. A large chunk of that is spent on Instagram, an app with over 1 billion monthly active users. Sounds like a lot, right?

The good news is, all that time does not have to go to waste looking at photos of influencers and videos of pet llamas. Apps like Instagram can also be useful if you follow the right accounts.

Here are ten Instagram profiles that can help learn English by enhancing your vocabulary, practising your grammar and improving your pronunciation!

BBC Learning English

BBC Learning English is a super popular Instagram account with over 1.4 million followers. They regularly post quick quizzes and grammar cards, explain commonly used and not so commonly used phrases. They also share examples of idioms to help you expand your language toolbox. Even better, they create videos so that you can practice your pronunciation and learn new vocabulary around a theme.

If you can’t get enough, you can download the BBC Learning English app.

Find them at @bbclearningenglish.

Cambridge Assessment English

Cambridge English has a very consistent Instagram feed that’s easy on the eye and stimulating for the brain. From motivational quotes to fun riddles and explanations of often-used idioms, their posts will keep your spirits up as you learn English. What has a face and two hands, but no body or legs?* Do you know what a ‘change of heart’ means?** What happens when ‘the ball is in your court’?*** Find brain-twisters like these on Cambridge English.

Find them at @cambridgeenglish.

Answers:

* It’s a clock!

**It means to change your mind

***It means it’s your decision to make

In English With Love

In English With Love was created by Sama, an English teacher who has a keen eye for designing beautiful Instagram images and a deep knowledge of English teaching. She uses inspirational quotes to highlight phrasal verbs and explain their meaning. In her “What’s another way to say…” series, she shares alternatives to commonly used expressions. She also helps you figure out when not to use certain words like ‘any’, ‘for’, ‘off’ or ‘do’.

Find her at @inenglishwithlove.

To Fluency

To Fluency is run by Jack, an English teacher who has a unique and enjoyable way of explaining even the toughest cases of English grammar. It’s easy to become addicted to his video lessons, the full versions of which you can watch on Jack’s YouTube channel.

Once you start seeing Jack and his blackboard pop up in your feed, you will find yourself eagerly awaiting the next grammar lesson. Excuse the occasional selfie: Jack takes a very personal approach to Instagram, which is part of what makes him so fun and accessible.

Find him at @tofluency.

English Without Tears

English Without Tears is run by Gabriela Torens. She focuses on helping you avoid common mistakes and learn the correct way of saying things. She teaches phrasal verbs, indefinite pronouns, indirect speech and many other grammar “problem areas” through posts packed with information. Her feed looks just like a colourful exercise book scissored together from tables, posters and dictionaries. From time to time, she even slips in a meme!

Find her at @englisharound.

English Vocabulary

English Vocabulary is a very straightforward and tastefully designed Instagram page by Green Forest school of English. The pastel aesthetic that they’ve chosen to wrap their vocabulary cards in makes learning new English words a surprisingly refreshing experience. Do you have any idea what it means to be ‘skint’, ‘chuffed’ or ‘leery’? With English Vocabulary, you’ll learn the meaning and use of many words like these.

Find them at @english_vocabulary.

Idiom Land

Idiom Land makes all idioms sound cute, funny or outright hilarious. They pick images, memes and clips from movies that explain the meaning and use of each idiom in an entertaining way. Their associations are sometimes just too good. Who would think to explain ‘lose your train of thought’ with a reference to The Big Lebowski? Or use a video example from Die Hard to illustrate the idiom ‘fly in the ointment’? Follow Idiom Land, and you’re in for a laugh.

Find them at @idiom.land.

English with Nab

English with Nab, created by coach and English teacher Nab, is a fun, interactive account that teaches 21st century English. It focuses on grammar and useful expressions that prepare you for real-life situations.

You’ll find this account really stands out from the crowd. Like Nab would say: he teaches from the heart, not from the book. Tune into his posts and equip yourself with new skills, enrich your vocabulary and don’t be afraid to go out in the world and show it all off!

Find him at @englishwithnab.

Pronunciation with Emma

If pronunciation is your kryptonite, Pronunciation with Emma is going to be your new favourite Instagram account for learning English. Emma is a lovely young teacher who films herself pronouncing all sorts of English words in her soothing British accent. The YouTube channel that complements her Instagram has tips on how to master English vowels, how to pronounce words that sound similar and are commonly pronounced wrong, and much more. She also dives into commonly asked questions that go beyond pronunciation, like how to use certain common adjectives and prepositions.

Find her at @pronunciationwithemma.

Oxford House Barcelona

Last but not least, don’t forget to check out our very own Instagram page! We try to make sure that our Instagram is as enjoyable and fun as our classes are. We post about the events we host and participate in, and share the latest posts on our blog so you can find resources to help you throughout your learning journey.

Find us at @oxford_house_barcelona.

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Keep your spirits up (exp): remain optimistic.

Have a keen eye for (exp): have a special ability to notice something.

Pop up (exp): appear.

Meme (n): a funny image that spreads rapidly on the internet.

Aesthetic (n): look or artistic style.

Hilarious (adj): extremely funny.

You’re in for a laugh (exp): you will find something funny.

To be someone’s kryptonite(exp): The only thing that can hurt Superman is Kryptonite, so if something is your Kryptonite it’s horrible or difficult for you.

Complement (v): contribute to something in a way that makes it better.

Key

exp = expression

n = noun

adj = adjective

v = verb

Study English at Oxford House Barcelona

Interested in taking an English course at Oxford House Barcelona? Check all the different English classes we can offer you, or our summer courses, and contact us for more information.