As an EFL teacher, finding the right tools can make a huge difference in your classroom. Whether you’re teaching online or in person, the right apps can save you time, engage your students, and make lesson planning so much easier.
In this post, I’m sharing the 5 best apps I personally recommend for EFL teachers — both free and paid options.
## 1. Duolingo for Schools (Free)
Duolingo for Schools is one of the most popular language learning apps in the world — and the good news is there’s a completely free version designed specifically for teachers.
What I love about it:
- You can track each student’s progress in real time
- Students can practice vocabulary and grammar at home
- Works on phones, tablets and computers
- Makes homework actually fun for students
Best for: Beginner to intermediate EFL students
👉 Get Duolingo for Schools here
## 2. Quizlet (Free & Paid)
Quizlet is a flashcard and study tool that EFL teachers swear by. You can create your own vocabulary sets or choose from millions already made by other teachers.
What I love about it:
- Create vocabulary flashcards in minutes
- Students can study independently at home
- Includes fun games like Match and Learn modes
- Free version is more than enough to start
Best for: Vocabulary building at any level
## 3. Kahoot (Free & Paid)
Kahoot turns any lesson into an exciting quiz game. Students join on their phones and compete to answer questions — the energy in the classroom completely changes.
What I love about it:
- Students are instantly engaged and motivated
- Perfect for grammar and vocabulary review
- Easy to create quizzes in minutes
- Free version works great for most classrooms
Best for: Review lessons and warm-up activities
## 4. Google Classroom (Free)
Google Classroom is the ultimate free tool for organizing your EFL class. You can share materials, assign homework, give feedback and communicate with students all in one place.
What I love about it:
- Completely free with a Google account
- Share worksheets, videos and links instantly
- Students submit assignments digitally
- Works perfectly for both online and in-person teaching
Best for: Organizing your entire class workflow
## 5. Canva for Education (Free)
Canva is a design tool that lets you create beautiful worksheets, flashcards, presentations and classroom materials in minutes — no design skills needed.
What I love about it:
- Thousands of ready-made education templates
- Free for teachers through Canva for Education
- Create professional looking materials quickly
- Students can use it for projects too
Best for: Creating engaging classroom materials
👉 Get Canva for Education here
## Recommended Equipment for Online Teaching
If you teach EFL online, having the right setup makes a huge difference. Here’s what I personally use and recommend:
- [Noise-cancelling headset](https://amzn.to/4wiMMRE) — essential for clear audio during online lessons
- [Ring light](https://amzn.to/4aNCYa3) — improves video quality instantly
- [Webcam](https://amzn.to/3Ta4OqF) — for teachers without a built-in laptop camera
## Final Thoughts
All 5 of these apps have free versions so you can start using them today without spending a penny. My personal favorites are Kahoot for classroom energy and Quizlet for vocabulary practice.
Have you tried any of these apps? Let me know in the comments which ones work best in your classroom!