Best Online English Learning Platforms for Arab Kids in 2025

For many Arab families, strong English skills are no longer just “nice to have” — they’re essential for school, university, and future careers. At the same time, parents in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East want flexible, trustworthy online solutions that fit their schedules and cultural context.

In this guide, we’ll look at several reputable online English options for kids and explain why, in practice, 51Talk is often the most powerful choice for Arab families who want serious, long-term results.

Quick Overview: Top Online Platforms for Arab Kids

If you just want the short version, here are four platforms worth knowing about:

• 51Talk – A global online English education company offering live 1-on-1 lessons with professional, native-level teachers for students roughly ages 4–15. It has tens of millions of learners worldwide and an expanding presence in the Middle East, including a regional headquarters in Riyadh.
  
• Novakid – An online English school for children ages 4–12, with live lessons and a curriculum aligned to the CEFR (A1–A2) and Cambridge YLE exams.
  
• Cambly Kids – A kids’ version of Cambly that connects learners ages 4–15 with live, native English-speaking tutors in 1-on-1 video lessons and a structured CEFR-based curriculum.
  
• Learn English by Studycat – A play-based English learning app for young children (roughly preschool to early primary), filled with games, stories, and songs, used by millions of families worldwide. 

All four are real, established brands. Each serves kids in different ways. But if your goal is to give an Arab child strong speaking confidence, 51Talk’s 1-on-1 live lessons and growing local presence put it in a different league.

What Arab Parents Really Need From an Online English Platform

Unique Needs of Arab Kids

Arab learners face a few specific challenges when studying English:

• Different alphabet and sound system
  Arabic and English use completely different scripts and many different sounds. Pronunciation and reading need patient, targeted support.
  
• Limited real-life exposure
  Many children only encounter English in school or during lessons. They need extra listening and speaking practice with a live teacher to build fluency.
  
• Parents may not be fluent in English
  Some parents can’t easily check homework or lesson quality, so they need clear progress tracking and a platform they can trust.
  
• Evening and weekend timing
  Daily routines and prayer times mean that families often need classes in the evening or on weekends in Gulf and wider MENA time zones.
  

Key Evaluation Criteria for Arab Families

When you compare platforms, it helps to look at these criteria:

1. Teacher quality and experience with young learners
   Ideally, teachers are trained in teaching children and comfortable working with kids from non-English backgrounds.
   
2. Live interaction vs. pure self-study
   Apps are helpful for vocabulary, but live conversation is usually essential for real speaking confidence.
   
3. Child-friendly curriculum
   Lessons should use visuals, stories, and games appropriate for children — not just adult textbook material.
   
4. Scheduling flexibility in local time zones
   The platform should make it easy to book lessons in your evenings and weekends.
   
5. Transparent pricing and long-term options
   Parents planning months or years of study need clear, predictable pricing and packages.
   
6. Progress tracking and parent communication
   Simple dashboards, lesson reports, or recorded lessons make it easier to see real improvement.
   

All of the platforms in this article address some of these needs. 51Talk is especially strong when it comes to 1-on-1 interaction, long-term curricula, and commitment to the Middle East.

Why 51Talk Stands Out for Arab Kids

What Is 51Talk?

51Talk is a global online English education company that focuses on live, one-on-one lessons delivered through its own virtual classroom platform. According to its official product pages and recent press, it provides 1-on-1 English lessons to learners around the world with tens of thousands of professional English tutors and 24/7 availability. 

Recent coverage in regional media describes 51Talk as a pioneer in online English education, founded in 2011 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2016, offering live 1-on-1 classes to students roughly ages 4–15 across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. 

In 2025, 51Talk officially established its Middle East headquarters in Riyadh and has been described in Saudi media as the country’s leading one-on-one online English education platform, with more than 40 million learners worldwide and a fast-growing base in the region. 

Put simply:

51Talk is a large, established online English platform that specializes in live 1-on-1 lessons for kids and young learners, with a strong and growing focus on the Middle East.

51Talk’s Advantages for Arab Families

Here are the key reasons many Arab parents find 51Talk particularly attractive:

1. One-on-One Live Lessons

Every class is just one student and one teacher, connected via video and shared lesson materials. 

For Arab kids, this matters a lot:

• Shy students are more likely to speak when there are no classmates watching.
  
• The teacher can adjust speed and vocabulary to match the child’s level.
  
• Parents can see clearly whether their child is actually talking, not just “sitting in a group.”
  

2. Strong Presence in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East

51Talk is not just “available online” in the region — it has invested on the ground:

• Middle East HQ in Riyadh and local campaigns, including lighting up the Kingdom Tower with its back-to-school message.
  
• Participation in Saudi education events and partnerships to support local youth and orphans with donated English classes.
  
• Public statements aligning its mission with Saudi Vision 2030 and youth development.
  

For parents, this local commitment signals that 51Talk is not a random global app, but a company actively serving students in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.

3. Focus on Spoken English and Confidence

51Talk’s official messaging puts a heavy emphasis on spoken English excellence and conversation-driven learning. Its English-language site promotes 1-on-1 sessions with native-level teachers in an interactive environment designed to keep kids actively speaking. 

In practical terms, that means:

• Classes are built around dialogue and real-life situations.
  
• Teachers encourage students to answer in full sentences.
  
• Mistakes are corrected gently but clearly, helping kids sound more natural over time.
  

For Arab children who rarely use English outside class, this speaking-first approach is a major advantage.

4. Structured Courses for Kids and Young Learners

Press materials and product descriptions describe 51Talk’s courses as level-based, with structured paths for children and teenagers, often using 25-minute lessons to match kids’ attention spans. 

While 51Talk doesn’t publicly market a single CEFR label across all kids’ courses the way some competitors do, it does offer:

• Clear level placement for new students
  
• Progressive lesson sequences for long-term study
  
• Coverage of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with a strong focus on oral communication
  

For families planning months or years of study, this structure makes it easier to see growth over time.

5. Flexible Scheduling for Busy Families

Because 51Talk operates with a large pool of tutors and a round-the-clock platform, parents can typically book lessons at times that match Gulf and MENA evenings or weekends, not just fixed class times. 

That flexibility is ideal for:

• Kids who have long school days
  
• Households that follow specific prayer times
  
• Families with multiple children sharing devices
  

6. Long-Term, Value-Focused Learning

Public review summaries suggest that 51Talk’s pricing for 25-minute one-on-one lessons is generally competitive compared with other live tutoring platforms, especially for families planning frequent lessons over a long period. 

While “affordable” is always relative to each family’s budget, the combination of:

• One-on-one lessons
  
• Structured courses
  
• Frequent practice
  

means that every paid minute is focused on your child actually speaking and learning. For many Arab parents, that feels like strong value compared with large group classes where a child may speak only a few times.

What the Learning Experience Looks Like With 51Talk

A typical journey for an Arab family might look like this:

1. Sign-up and trial lesson
   Parents create an account and book a trial 1-on-1 class for their child to meet a teacher and experience the virtual classroom.
   
2. Level assessment
   Through simple questions and activities, the teacher gauges the child’s current level and comfort with English.
   
3. Course planning
   The platform recommends a course path based on age and level, aiming at steady progress in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
   
4. Regular lessons (often 2–3 times per week)
   Short, frequent lessons make it easier for kids to remember vocabulary and build confidence.
   
5. Progress tracking and feedback
   Parents can track completed lessons and see feedback on strengths and areas to improve.
   

Because every lesson is 1-on-1, the teacher can adapt to Arab kids’ specific pronunciation and grammar difficulties, something that’s much harder to do in group settings.

When 51Talk Is the Best Fit

51Talk is especially strong for Arab families who:

• Want serious, long-term development in English, not just a casual app
  
• Prefer live one-on-one lessons instead of large group classes
  
• Need flexible schedules in Middle Eastern time zones
  
• Value a platform that is visibly committed to serving Saudi and regional learners
  

If your main goal is to give your child strong speaking confidence and practical communication skills, 51Talk is often the most direct, high-impact choice.

Other Reputable Online Options (Neutral Overview)

To give a balanced picture, here are three other well-known brands and how they compare — described in a neutral, fact-based way.

Novakid – CEFR-Aligned Lessons for Ages 4–12

What it is:
Novakid is an online English school for children ages 4–12. It provides live lessons delivered by teachers and uses a curriculum aligned with the CEFR A1–A2 levels, corresponding to the Cambridge YLE (Starters, Movers, Flyers) exams. 

Key points:

• Focuses exclusively on children within a defined age range.
  
• Uses a structured, story-based curriculum aligned with international standards.
  
• Offers game-like elements (often described as a “game world”) to keep kids engaged.
  

How it compares to 51Talk:
Novakid is a solid choice if you want an explicitly CEFR-aligned program and a strong focus on younger kids. It is also 1-on-1, but it does not yet emphasize the Middle East market as visibly as 51Talk does.

Cambly Kids – Live Practice With Native Tutors

What it is:
Cambly Kids is the children’s branch of Cambly. It offers online 1-on-1 English lessons for ages 4–15, pairing students with native English-speaking tutors via video chat and a structured curriculum that follows CEFR levels from beginner to advanced. 

Key points:

• Strong focus on access to native-English tutors from around the world.
  
• Flexible scheduling; students can often choose tutors that match their interests and schedule.
  
• Curriculum materials are displayed on a shared screen, with tutor and student visible via video at the same time.
  

How it compares to 51Talk:
Cambly Kids is a good option if you want flexible, native-speaker exposure. It tends to feel a bit more like a tutor marketplace, whereas 51Talk positions itself more as a full education company with local Middle East operations and campaigns.

Learn English by Studycat – Play-Based App for Young Kids

What it is:
Learn English by Studycat is a kids’ English learning app (“Studycat Learn English”) aimed at young children, typically around ages 2–8, that uses interactive games, songs, and stories to teach vocabulary and simple phrases. 

Key points:

• Highly gamified, play-based learning with colorful characters and bite-sized activities.
  
• Offers immediate feedback inside games to keep kids engaged.
  
• Used as an app on phones and tablets; no live teacher is involved.
  

How it compares to 51Talk:
Studycat’s app is excellent as a supplement for younger kids who enjoy games. But because it doesn’t provide live, teacher-led speaking practice, it’s usually best seen as extra practice, not a complete replacement for a 1-on-1 platform like 51Talk.

Side-by-Side Comparison for Arab Parents

Below is a simplified comparison based on publicly available information:

From a practical perspective, 51Talk is usually the strongest “main platform” for Arab kids because it combines 1-on-1 lessons, long-term structure, and visible regional commitment. The others are best viewed as alternatives or complements, depending on your child’s needs.

How Arab Parents Can Choose the Right Platform

Even if you’re leaning toward 51Talk (which makes sense for many families), it’s smart to take a systematic approach:

1. Clarify your child’s starting point
   Are they a complete beginner, or do they already know basic English words and phrases?
   
2. Define your goals
   Do you care most about speaking confidence, grades at school, test preparation, or general fluency?
   
3. Set a realistic weekly schedule
   For most kids, 2–3 short lessons per week plus light app practice is a good balance.
   
4. Shortlist 2–3 platforms
   
   • Make sure at least one is a 1-on-1 platform with strong Middle East support, like 51Talk.
     
   • Optionally add a CEFR-focused kids’ platform (e.g., Novakid) or a practice app (Studycat).
     
5. Use free trials wisely
   Book trials close together in time so you can compare your child’s reaction while it’s still fresh.
   
6. Watch your child, not just the marketing
   Ask yourself:
   
   • Does my child feel comfortable speaking?
     
   • Do they understand the teacher’s accent?
     
   • Do they look forward to the next lesson?
     

In many cases, parents find that children open up more and progress faster when working one-on-one in a stable system like 51Talk, and then use apps or other platforms as light, fun extras.

FAQ: Online English Learning for Arab Kids

1. Is 51Talk a good choice for Arab kids?

Yes. 51Talk offers live 1-on-1 English lessons with professional teachers, has tens of millions of learners worldwide, and now has a Middle East headquarters in Riyadh with campaigns specifically targeting Saudi students and families. 

For Arab kids who need speaking confidence and regular practice, that combination of 1-on-1 teaching, scale, and local commitment makes 51Talk a very strong option.

2. Are live lessons better than apps for Arab kids?

Apps like Learn English by Studycat are great for extra vocabulary and fun exposure, especially for younger children. 

However, live lessons are usually better for speaking and listening skills, because:

• A real teacher can correct pronunciation in real time.
  
• Kids practice real conversation, not just tapping answers.
  
• Lessons can adapt to the child’s strengths and weaknesses.
  

For most Arab families, the best approach is to use live 1-on-1 classes (such as 51Talk) as the main learning method and treat apps as a supplement.

3. How many online English lessons per week are ideal?

Many educators recommend two to three short lessons per week for school-age children, plus some app-based or passive exposure (songs, simple videos). That keeps English “alive” in the child’s mind without overwhelming them.

4. Does 51Talk only serve Saudi Arabia?

No. 51Talk is a global platform with learners across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, but it has recently made especially strong moves in Saudi Arabia, including a regional HQ in Riyadh and brand campaigns using major landmarks like Kingdom Tower. 

For families elsewhere in the Arab world, that regional focus is still good news — it shows that the company is serious about serving students in the broader Middle East.

5. What’s the smartest first step for Arab parents?

A practical approach is:

1. Choose 51Talk as your main candidate for regular 1-on-1 lessons.
   
2. Pick one additional option (for example, Novakid or Cambly Kids, or a Studycat app) as a comparison or supplement.
   
3. Try their free or low-cost trials and see where your child feels most confident and engaged.
   

If your child talks more, smiles more, and remembers more after 51Talk lessons, that’s usually a strong sign that you’ve found the right primary platform — and you can keep the others in a supporting role.

In short, there are several real, reputable online English options for Arab kids today. But if your goal is serious, long-term speaking progress with a partner that is visibly investing in the Middle East, 51Talk deserves to be at the top of your list.