Picking up a new language is never easy. For students who are learning English as a second language, the Internet provides many free resources that can help with your linguistic endeavors. Teachers of all subjects have begun to use YouTube as a means of providing free education. If you want to get in some extra English practice at home, or if you just want to get more familiar with the sound of the language, YouTube is a good place to start.

Search for "ESL," "English as a second language" and/or "English lessons" within the YouTube search field. Numerous YouTube users have created ESL channels specifically for ESL students. These free resources can be an excellent complement to your existing English classes or a good way to practice on your own time.

Enable captioning on YouTube videos by clicking the "CC" button at the bottom of the video. Hover over the "CC" button and select "Transcribe Audio." When learning a new language, one of the most helpful ways to expand your vocabulary and understand sentence structure is to see written words as they are being said. Be aware that the Transcribe Audio feature is in beta mode, meaning that it has not been perfected yet. Not all words will be spelled or identified correctly.

Watch educational YouTube videos meant for children. While older ESL learners may find this idea patronizing, children's videos in any language are often spoken slowly and with simple concepts. In fact, in just about any language class, students start off on children's books. Watching videos for kids can help you get used to new sounds and phrases without feeling overwhelmed.