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Day 10 - Plain English Day

Day 10 - Plain English Day Creative commons imageCredit: By mag3737 via Flickr under Creative Commons license
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 08 Dec 2010
As we approach the season where families and friends get together to talk, talk, talk, we delve into the world of gobbledygook to commemorate Plain...

It was a dark and stormy night: The rise of Gothic fiction

It was a dark and stormy night: The rise of Gothic fiction Copyrighted imageCredit: Ronfromyork | Dreamstime.com
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 26 Oct 2010
Are you a fan of ‘Frankenstein’ or a devotee of ‘Dracula’? Do you shiver at the graveyard scene in ‘Great Expectations’? Explore the surge...

English In Action

Featuring: VideoAudio
English In Action Copyrighted imageCredit: Apple
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 22 Mar 2010
English In Action are using mobile technology to create new ways of teaching and learning.

The language of private capital

The language of private capital Creative commons imageCredit: Image by Oskay under CC-BY licence
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 09 Nov 2009
The rise of the private equity firms may not necessarily be a bad thing, but on the other hand, the idea of using one language...

Debate: Saving dying languages

Debate: Saving dying languages Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 07 Oct 2009
Forum member David A Cooper had an interest in the future of languages under threat

Debate: Pacific v specific

Debate: Pacific v specific Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 29 Jul 2009
Forum member Dianeuk raised a pet hate

Hinglish, Pinglish, Binglish, Minglish

Hinglish, Pinglish, Binglish, Minglish Creative commons imageCredit: Stanford EdTech under CC-BY-NC-ND licence
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 06 Jun 2007
The head of the Rewchand Bhojwani Academy finds the multilingualism of Indian society has positive advantages, even though it makes it harder to maintain standards.

Under pressure

Under pressure Creative commons imageCredit: katethepirate under CC-BY-NC-SA licence
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 05 Jun 2007
Indian children are under pressure to be able to use English fluently in a political setting.

Debate: Accent origins

Debate: Accent origins Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 29 Apr 2007
Ben From The North appeared as a guest in the forums, and asked about the origins of accents.

Debate: Scones

Debate: Scones Copyrighted imageCredit: Jupiter Images
Introductory Level Duration 5 mins Updated 30 Sep 2006
Community guest Sarah wanted intervention in a marital dispute

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Free extracts from OU course materials

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What is language?: an applied linguistic perspective

Free CourseFeaturing: Video
What is language?: an applied linguistic perspective Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Masters Level Duration 6 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
This unit serves as an introduction to the discipline of applied linguistics. It examines what is meant by ‘language’, what its main characteristics are, and...

How to frame a business case

Free Course
How to frame a business case Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Intermediate Level Duration 8 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
This unit looks at reading strategies which help you to frame a business case. In particular, you will learn how to use key business concepts...

Learning a second language

Free CourseFeaturing: VideoAudioActivity
Learning a second language Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Masters Level Duration 4 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
In this unit we will consider how students learn how to make meaning through learning additional languages which could be second, third or even fourth...

Business English: Researching a new location

Free CourseFeaturing: Audio
Business English: Researching a new location Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Intermediate Level Duration 5 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
Do you want to relocate to the UK? This unit will help you with the language difficulties that can arise while providing assistance with the...

Business English: Making decisions

Free CourseFeaturing: Audio
Business English: Making decisions Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Intermediate Level Duration 5 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
Do you want to relocate to the UK? This unit will help you with the language difficulties that can arise while providing assistance with the...

Business English: Presenting the decision

Free CourseFeaturing: Audio
Business English: Presenting the decision Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Intermediate Level Duration 5 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
Do you want to relocate to the UK? This unit will help you with the language difficulties that can arise while providing assistance with the...

How to be a critical reader

Free CourseFeaturing: Activity
How to be a critical reader Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Intermediate Level Duration 7 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
In this unit you will focus on how to be a critical reader. Reading critically is an essential skill at university. It means being aware...

Getting started on Classical Latin

Free Course
Getting started on Classical Latin Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Introductory Level Duration 10 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
Latin is the basis for many languages in the world. This unit will provide you with a general introduction to learning Latin allowing you to...

English grammar in context

Free CourseFeaturing: Video
English grammar in context Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Advanced Level Duration 15 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
The use of grammar is more complex than it appears. This unit looks at the way grammar can be used as a tool for adapting...

Exploring the English language

Free CourseFeaturing: VideoActivity
Exploring the English language Copyrighted imageCredit: Used with permission
Intermediate Level Duration 9 hours Updated 19 Jun 2013
How has the English language changed over the course of the last 500 years? What are the social and political contexts that have affected how...