These give you work on listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, developing your overall language skills up to the level required. 
If you can’t attend a course, CLA has three online courses, B1 Autoapprendimento, B2 Autoapprendimento and B2 Self-Study English for Engineering. NB: These do not give you conversation practice. 

There is no ‘best’ way to learn a language. The important things are REGULAR practice and USING the language. So find something that is enjoyable for you – and if it gets boring, find something new!

To use the language, a course is really the best way, as it gives you and practice in speaking and in writing texts, not just words/sentences. This article gives useful advice about learning a language. 

Books

Macmillan English Grammar in Context with key, Macmillan Education. Three levels: A1/A2, B1/B2, C1
English Vocabulary in Use with answers, CUP. 4 levels: A1, A2/B1, B2, C1
Collins Work on Your Grammar, (Collins). Separate books for A2, B1, B2, C1
Collins Work on Your Vocabulary, (Collins). Separate books for A2, B1, B2, C1
All in One Grammar for Italian Students, with answers, Hashemi e Thomas, CUP. Single book for A2 to B2.
Essential Grammar in Use with answers, Murphy, CUP A2-B1
Intermediate Language Practice 3rd ed. with key + code, Vince, Macmillan Education. Grammar + vocabulary B1
English Grammar in Use with answers, Murphy, CUP B1-B2
Language Practice for B2 First, 5th Ed. with Key, Vince (Macmillan/Hueber Verlag) (Grammar + vocabulary) B2
English Vocabulary in Use Upper Intermediate with answers (4th Ed.), McCarthy & O’Dell (CUP) B2
Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge First (2nd Edition), Prodromou, (Pearson Longman) B2
Grammar and Vocabulary for First, Hashemi e Thomas, (CUP) B2
Advanced Grammar in Use with answers, Hewings, CUP C1
Language Practice for C1 Advanced, Vince, Macmillan Education (Grammar + vocabulary) C1
Grammar and Vocabulary for Advanced, Hewings e Haines, (CUP) C1
English Vocabulary in Use Advanced with answers (3rd Edition), McCarthy & O’Dell (CUP) C1
Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge Advanced and Proficiency, Prodromou, (Pearson Longman) C1

Grammar books are also available to use in the Sala Studio Cavazzani, via Verdi

App

English Grammar in Use with Test, by AMA English 4.8 rating, 1M downloads. Clear explanations, tests for each grammar point, explanations for incorrect answers, advice on which units to study based on your mistakes (Levels A2, B1).
LearnEnglish Grammar, (by British Council)  Good exercises, no rules. Good for low levels. Frequent ads. (Levels A1-C1).

Videos

Simple English Videos – 1, 2 and 3 minute lessons, funny and useful.
Videos: Just search on YouTube for e.g., ‘present perfect grammar’.  You will find a lot of good explanations.

Other websites

Grammaring - simple grammar explanations under ‘Topics’.  See the ‘Exercises’ tab. (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
Using English – look for “Grammar quizzes” (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
Grammar at each CEFR level e Vocabolary at each CEFR level practice exercises  (Levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1).
Live Worksheets - use the Search tool or the CEFR menu.  Especially good for lower levels. (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
BBC Learning English or their YouTube channel: videos, podcasts, mini-lessons (Levels A1, A2, B1, B2 ).

English Practice: the free version has a lot of grammar, vocabulary and skills practice (Levels A2, B1, B2).
Cambridge English: language and skills exercises  (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).

App

IELTS Complete Preparation, by AMA English (mostly vocabulary and reading) - Levels B2, C1.

Books

Activate Upper-Intermediate Pass B2: A Complete Self-Study Course, Mason & Martin (Future House Languages) (Grammar, vocabulary and skills work in topic-based units. Designed for self-study) - Level B2.
Activate Advanced Pass C1: A Complete Self-Study Course, Mason & Martin (Future House Languages) (Grammar, vocabulary and skills work in topic-based units. Designed for self-study) - Level C1 .

Youglish - search for vocabulary/expressions in TED talks and Youtube videos. Click to see each new example (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
Playphrase.me - like Youglish but with movies. Good for vocabulary, listening and pronunciation (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
Voicetube - choose your level and watch a short video with the transcript. Helps vocabulary more than listening (Levels A1, A2, B1, B2).
British Council - vocabulary exercises and games (Levels A1, A2, B1, B2).
Cambridge Dictionary and Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary - British, US, and ‘Essential English’ dictionaries (written by humans, for language learners) - Levels A2-C1 .

ESL Lounge - practice and advice for different exercise types. Choose your level, then the skill. The free version has excellent exercises e.g. videos that explain the answers to a reading exercise (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
Exam English - exercises of different types for various English exams (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Flo-Joe - free resources for Cambridge and IELTS exams (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Test English - Reading, Listening, Use of English, Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing (Levels A2, B1, B2​​​​​​​).
English Practice Test - Reading listening Use of English Grammar Vocabulary (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
LearnEnglish - Reading, Listening, Writing (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
LearnEnglish Teens - Reading, Listening, Writing (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).

Also see the Pronunciation section (below) for help on how connected speech is produced (how we ‘eat’ words).

Browser extension – Language Reactor - Choose the language you want to learn, your level, and Youtube, Netflix, or one of the selected Youtube channels (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
Browser extension – Subtly - Similar to Language Reactor, move your mouse over English subtitles on Netflix to see translations and make a note of vocabulary (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).

App - LearnEnglish Podcasts (British Council). 4.7 rating (also LearnEnglish Videos) - Levels A2, B1, B2.

Storycorps - Real people telling stories, with animation to help you understand. If you don’t need the animation, try the Storycorps app or podcast (Levels B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
ELLLO - a popular site for listening activities.  Also as an app ‘ELLLO World’ (Levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
ESL Cyber Listening LAB - a lot of listening exercises. American English (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
Learn English, British Council - See the Audio Zone for B2 and C1 audio, and the Audio Series for A2 and B1​​​​​​​ levels.
Breaking News English - listen and read (also exercises e.g. text jumble, dictation, gapfill, grammar) - Levels A2, B1, B2​​​​​​​.
Podcasts in English - 5-minute podcasts with worksheets and transcripts (Levels A1, A2, B1, B2).

Listening not aimed at language learners

Netflix (or similar) with subtitles in English – or none! From level B2 up, you won’t understand everything, but you should be able to follow what’s happening. Watching a series in English is easier than watching films because the characters and situations become familiar, so it’s easier to understand what they are saying (Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​).
TED Talks - interesting speakers giving presentations on a variety of topics (or see channel on Language Reactor) - Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​.
Lyrics Training - Watch music videos and complete the lyrics as a game. Easy because it doesn’t accept incorrect letters. ​​​​​​​Also an app, Lingoclip (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
The Naked Scientists - British science podcast, listen online or download podcast (Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Minute Physics - short fun physics videos (Levels B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
List of the best architecture podcasts - not an architecture student? Just put your subject + podcast into Google

Learn something else while you practice listening!
MOOC list - list of courses you can ‘audit’ for free, on Coursera, Futurelearn, EdX and more (Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Open Culture - list of free online courses. Also see free audiobooks (Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Online Courses - more free online courses. Start at the Subjects menu (Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Khan Academy - free video lessons on calculus, chemistry and more (channel also on Language Reactor) - Levels B2, C1.

Podcasts made for native speakers

Many radio programmes are later released as podcasts, with excellent quality. Search national radio stations like BBC, NPR, CBC, ABC or search for any topic of interest. At B2 level, for example, you won’t understand everything, but you should be able to understand the main points. Obviously the more you listen the easier it will get.   

Read what you enjoy and find easy to understand, not what is “good for you”. Forget Charles Dickens and Jane Austen… you need modern English. Quality is nice, but quantity is better for developing your vocabulary – and your subconscious knowledge of grammar. 
Simple Wikipedia - Levels A2, B1, B2.
Magazine-type articles from the British Council - Levels B1, B2. New articles added regularly.​​​​​​​
Breaking News English - Choice of 4 levels for each article. Makes automatic grammar and dictation exercises from the articles. This video shows you how to use the site well (Levels A2, B1, B2).

The Sala Studio Cavazzani and BUM libraries

The Sala Studio Cavazzani and BUM libraries have graded readers. These simplified reading books are available at all levels. B2 is usually level 4 - 5.  Start with a level where you can read with no dictionary (or very little!). A1, A2, B1, B2have graded readers.  These simplified reading books are available at all levels. B2 is usually level 4 - 5. Start with a level where you can read with no dictionary (or very little!) - Levels A1, A2, B1, B2.

Material written for native speakers

Novels (choose modern novels, not classics) - Levels B2, C1.
Online newspapers, magazines, blogs e.g., BBC News has sections on travel, sport etc (Levels B1, B2, C1).
How Stuff Works - short articles on how stuff works (Levels B2, C1).
Science Daily - Levels B2, C1.
Explain That Stuff - Levels B2, C1. 

All levels

If you do a CLA course it will include writing work, and your teacher will give you feedback on this. If this is impossible before the exam, bring a piece of writing to a CLA tutoring session and we can look at it together. You can book a tutoring session here For more extensive feedback, see CLA’s file on using AI for language learning.

Write and Improve - This automated system analyses your writing, evaluates your level and gives you advice. There are a lot of different questions, and new ones are added regularly. Free.  
Virtual Writing Tutor - another automated correction system. 

B1 Level

In this part of the test, you have to write at least 120 words about everyday things (travel, news, education etc). The text can be an email to a friend OR a blog post OR a comment on Tripadvisor etc OR an article for a magazine or similar. The most important thing is to show that you have an intermediate (B1) level of grammar and vocabulary – and of course to answer the question given. For example, if the question says ‘suggest a solution’, then make sure you suggest a solution!!  

How to write a B1 level email or letter, examples and guidelines - Level B1
Practice exercises for B1 email - Level B1

B2 general English

The writing part asks you to give your opinion on a topic (“to what extent to you agree…”), and justify it with reasons and examples. This is  similar to the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2, so you will find the links in the C1 section helpful. The main differences between the IELTS task and the CLA exam are the length of the response (in IELTS 250 words and at CLA around 180 words) and the variety of essay types (IELTS has more different types, while CLA B2 focuses on the ‘agree or disagree opinion essay’)

C1 general English

The writing part asks you to write either an ‘advantages/disadvantages’ (pros and cons) essay or an argumentative essay explaining to what extent you agree with a statement, in around 250 words. These essay types are both included in the IELTS Writing Task 2, so the links below will be helpful.  

How to write an essay. IELTS Advantage - Writing task 2:Everything you need to know (Levels B2, C1).
IELTS Liz Writing Task 2 YouTube playlist - Very clear lessons on different aspects of essay writing (Levels B2, C1).
App: Key English IELTS Vocabulary.  Has Writing sections. Exercises + lessons in the form of slides (Levels B2, C1).
Writefix.com especially the ‘argument’ section. Downloadable material (Levels B2, C1).
Clear explanations on aspects of essays: e.g., paragraph development, grammar, and being concise (Levels B2, C1).
Model essays for IELTS Writing Task 2. Try writing your own answer before comparing your version with the model. Look at text organization e.g., logical development of the argument, paragraphing and linking words, as well as the variety of grammar and vocabulary used (Levels B2, C1).
Exercises on how to structure paragraphs well from Victoria University, NZ.  See what websites looked like in the 1990’s! How to write a paragraph hasn’t changed though (Levels B2, C1).
Useful videos on essay writing from IELTS-Simon (Levels B2, C1).

Speak and Improve - Speaking practice with a speech robot and get feedback, by Cambridge English (Levels A1-C1​​​​​​​).
Splendid Speaking - Useful free materials (plus others not free), see the Skills, Exams and Teacher tabs (Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​).
The Mixxer - online language exchanges (tandem) - Levels A2-C1.

Bots – there are so many new language learning apps with bots for speaking practice that we can’t list them all. Read the reviews before you pay!  But why pay to speak to a bot when you could pay to speak online with a person? Levels A1-C1.

Italki and Preply - Not free. Platforms where you can choose from 5000 English teachers – all human – for online lessons. Easy to use (click to book lesson, pay online, have the lesson online). Cheap trial lessons so that you can find a teacher you like.  Levels A1-C1.

Practising alone - Talking in your head – think of a topic (what I had for dinner, what I think about AI etc). For a few minutes “talk” about it. You don’t need to use your mouth, just make the sentences in your head, so you can do this on the bus or anywhere. This practices generating language, which is the most difficult part of speaking (Levels A1-C1).

Youglish and Playphrase.me - search for examples in movies and Youtube videos.  Listen and repeat (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1).
Practice pronunciation by "shadowing" a speaker English Learners podcast (Levels B1, B2).
Shadowing using Breaking Bad from Accent’s Way English with Hadar (Levels B2, C1).
Englishcentral.com - In the ‘videos’ section, click the tortoise at the bottom left to slow the video down to really listen to how they are pronouncing what they say – then try to speak with the recording slowly before you speed it up again and try it at natural speed! - Levels A2, B1, B2, C1.
English Pronunciation in 1 hour - how pronunciation works in fast speech (Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Speak English with Rupert - videos on intonation, rhythm and sounds (Levels B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Pronunciation with Emma - British English.  Intonation, vowels and more.​​​​​​​
Rachel’s English - Includes linking and reduced forms, not only individual sounds. Here’s an example, ‘-ed endings’. American English (Levels A2, B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Tools To-Go - Extensive materials including intonation and rhythm (Levels B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Pronuncian - US English.  Use the lesson menu to choose Sounds, Pitch (intonation) or Sentence stress (Levels B1, B2, C1​​​​​​​).
Manythings.org - listen and repeat short sentences. Good for linking words together (Levels A2, B1, B2).
Train your accent - listen and read.  Shows ‘reduced’ forms (Levels A2, B1, B2).

Thinking of getting an AI app to correct your pronunciation? Read this advice first.

Pronunciation books in the Sala Studio Cavazzani and the BUM library  

Pronunciation for Advanced Learners of English – Crystal (CUP) – book + CD – focuses on intonation (Levels B2, C1).
English Pronunciation in Use, Advanced – Hewings (CUP) - Level C1.
English Pronunciation in Use, Upper Intermediate – Hewings (CUP) - Level B2.
Headway Upper intermediate Pronunciation – OUP (Level B2).

Pronunciation activities to do alone (do them for just 5 minutes, but often)

Shadowing 1: take a piece of audio with subtitles or tapescript. Play the audio and try to speak WITH the speaker, using the same intonation and rhythm. Works on pronunciation.
Shadowing 2: while watching a movie / listening to the radio, try to repeat what you hear. This will probably only be the last 3 or 4 words, but you will get better! This works on pronunciation, listening, and indirectly, on grammar and vocabulary.  

Linking words together

• look at a couple of sentences in a transcript and work out how the words will sound joined together/ which words will be stressed / whether the intonation will go up or down.
• listen and check.  
• Then repeat the recording so you can try to speak WITH the recording. 
• Then try saying it again without the recording.