15 TED Talks To Learn English and Stay Motivated

Are you feeling unmotivated to learn English or other languages? Here are some of the best language-inspired TED Talks to relight your passion for learning English. 

The Internet is an excellent place for finding learning materials on almost any topic, including lessons for the English language. Most bilinguals or polyglots have a good grasp or decent experience in English communication. Globalization and ease of access are some of the reasons why it is a popular language. 

English learning platforms like JustLearn are making things revolutionary by using the Internet as a tool for language learning. In fact, it is even considered as “the universal language of the Internet.” And one of the useful yet unexpected learning materials is TED Talk videos.  If you’re looking for good content to learn English with TED talk, we gathered some of the best videos for you. 

What Are TED Talks? 

A TED talk is a video content made by professionals and masters of their field. These talks are aimed at viewers who want to know ideas and knowledge in a bite-size, conference-like manner. These talks are presented by TED, which is a nonprofit organization. All of the videos are free to consume, but you need to spend a bit on attendance fees if you want to attend the event live. 

The majority of each TED talk video is under 18 minutes. It is designed to keep the audiences entertained while not taking the educational value of the video. If you love short, fun, yet effective videos, watching a TED talk is for you. Here are some of the TED talk benefits that you can use for language learning. 

Benefits Of Using TED Talks For Language Learning

“Content is King” when it comes to the internet. You can choose among hundreds of thousands of resources to improve your English. Nothing can beat great and entertaining materials when studying a new lesson, especially in language. If you decided to give TED talks a try, you could enjoy the benefits listed below. 

TED Talks Are Entertaining AND Educational

These videos are made for entertaining and educating - hence the “less than 18-minutes” format. Guest speakers are very experienced in their fields and share their extensive knowledge in a presentation. Therefore, if you love to learn something while having a laugh or two, you will love getting on the TED talks. 

TED Talks Give Transcripts 

Have you just started learning English? No problem! Each TED Talk provides a transcript of the whole presentation. What makes these talks beginner-friendly is their tradition of giving transcripts. Transcripts are available in English and other languages. If you speak a major international language, the chances are high that your language is an option for transcript translation. 

They Are Accessible

Language learners can access TED talks through any device that can connect to the internet. You can even watch these videos while on your commute. Because it is free, TED talk videos can be replayed over and over again. These videos are also hosted on YouTube, enabling changing video playback quality if you have some data problems. 

TED Talks Are Easy To Listen To

Even on very technical matters, TED talks minimizes the use of jargon. If necessary, the speaker will try to explain the words and terminologies used in the easiest way. Another good thing about these videos is that the speakers enunciate their words concisely and clearly. English learners would benefit in the area of listening skills. 

They Can Offer Various Learning Materials

The TED organization offers tons of materials for casual viewers and learners alike. There are blogs and videos about numerous interests, such as tech, design, innovation, health, social change, and even personal growth. For English learners, the small list below is some of the most inspiring language-related content on the site. 

15 TED Talks For Polishing Your English Learning

1. 4 Reasons To Learn A New Language - John McWhorter

Linguist and professor John McWhorter gave his insights on why people should learn a new language. In this talk, McWhorter shared the four reasons why learning a foreign language can benefit anyone who wants to improve themselves. He also mentioned why being fluent in a language is still a thing, even in this age of instant translation. This video has more than 4.7 million views and is available in 44 languages. 

2. The Secrets Of Learning A New Language - Lydia Machova

Are you having a hard time learning any new language? English teacher and multilingual Lýdia Machová revealed her secret in learning a foreign language effectively. Knowing nine languages herself, Machová shares four principles to learn and acquire fluency in any language effectively. Machová also noted that you could have fun and learn at the same time, a vital thing to achieve when learning anything. 

3. Should We Simplify Spelling? - Karina Galperin

Let’s admit it: English spelling and pronunciation can turn into a wacky lesson real quick. This is especially true if your native alphabet isn’t the Latin variant, which the English language uses. It begs the question, “Should we simplify English spelling?” Literary scholar Karina Galperin tackles this question in her 16-minute TED talk, which is available in 18 languages.

4. The Poetry Of Everyday Speech - Juliana Delgada Lopera

Because of its popularity, English is one of the most accented languages on Earth. In fact, Are you having a hard time learning a new language because of your native accent? Is it really necessary to “delete” your accent to become more fluent in English? Columbian writer and historian Juliana Delgada Lopera talks about why accented speech should not make you lose confidence in learning the most popular language in the world. 

5. Go Ahead, Make-Up New Words! - Erin McKean

Sometimes, it’s easy to make up new words in English accidentally. Words such as “hangry” and “stan” are new words in the vocabulary, but these are used in daily conversations. And for language learners, making new words when they cannot express themselves can be a fun and educational experience. In this TED talk, lexicographer Erin McKean explains why creating new words is a good thing for easier self-expression. 

6. TED’s Secret To Great Public Speaking - Chris Anderson

We all experience nervousness when speaking in a public setting. This is especially evident for learners of a foreign language who are still learning new words and grammar rules. What are the things you need to know to become an effective public speaker? Is it possible for L2 speakers? Chris Anderson revealed what it takes to be the best you can be when speaking publicly. 

7. What Our Language Habits Reveal? - Steven Pinker

Each person has his or her own take on learning English. Did you know that how you use language can tell you more about yourself and how your brain works? In one of his talks, Cognitive Science Professor Steven Pinker explained how the words we use in a language can reveal a lot about us. 

8.  Does Grammar Matter? - Andrea Calude

It can be easy to forget about grammar rules when making conversations. For example, when you’re explaining something in a hurry, grammar rules are often neglected altogether. But when it comes to communication and perspective, does grammar really matter? Educator Andreea Calude talks about this old-age problem in one of her TEd-Ed videos. 

9. Why Do All Languages Have In Common? - Cameron Morin

The variety of languages all around the world show how diversity works as human nature. But whether you speak English or speak Korean, there is one thing similar to all languages: we can create a lot of sentences from it. In this short TED-Ed, you would know how languages are actually sharing something common. 

10. Why I Keep Speaking Up, Even When People Mock My Accent - Safwat Saleem

Do you stutter a lot when learning English or any other foreign language? Are you afraid that people will laugh at your accent? Safwat Saleem talked about improving his English despite having an accent. If you want to know more about speaking confidently and using your accent as an asset, this TED talk might interest you. 

11. How To Write Descriptively? - Nalo Hopkinson

When writing a sentence, most L2 learners can have a hard time writing descriptively. This is especially real when it comes to English, which can sometimes depend heavily on descriptive words. Enjoy this five-minute video about strategies on how to describe things effectively.

12. 5 Ways To Listen Better - Julian Treasure

Language is not only about grammatical rules and vocabulary usages. It is also about listening and becoming involved during an interaction. In this era where communication is digital, how can we communicate better with a language that we just learned? Here’s an interesting take on the idea of conscious listening and using language to express yourself meaningfully. 

13. How To Speak So That People Want To Listen? - Julian Treasure

Just like in any other human skills, a lot of us develop habits in learning and using language. To become a more engaging conversationalist, it is important to pick up habits that would make people want to listen. In this video, Julian Treasure shares ways to make your speaking powerful. This video covers a lot of topics, including the usage of silence in a conversation, or changing your volume to match the intensity of your words. 

14. 10 Ways To Have A Better Conversation - Celeste Headlee

Most people don’t converse well, and that can be detrimental to a professional career. Even if you’re confident with your skills in casual conversations, the professional world can require more than that. In this TED talk by Celeste Headlee, you will learn useful tips on how to become a better conversationalist, especially in a more professional setting. 

15. Rapid Language Hacking - Benny Lewis

You can only get better in a language via practicing and real-life application. There is no “hack” that can make learning a language within X months possible because each learner has an individual learning pace. If you’re stuck and feel like you’re not making any progress, this TED talk can help you get out of the rut while identifying the best way to move forward. 

Final Thoughts

Using TED talks are great if you want to improve your English accent, get some grammar polishing, or even get inspired on your way to becoming a polyglot. You can also get new ideas to do for your language learning journey or any other topics that interest you. But even if TED talks are great, it is not enough to get fluent in English. Sometimes, a student will learn more with a dedicated native tutor that guides you through different lessons. JustLearn is a place where you can find dedicated English tutors. Sign up today and enjoy a free 7-day free trial with verified native tutors.