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Languages
Beginners’ Chinese: a taster course
Learn about Mandarin Chinese as a tool for communication and gain insights into Chinese society and culture. This free course, Beginners’ Chinese: a taster course, provides a brief introduction to the Chinese language, its scripts and sounds, and how words are formed. You will hear short conversations where people greet each other and introduce themselves, and learn how to ----- from one to ten. You’ll learn different ways of saying your name and greeting people, as well as give your telephone number. This OpenLearn course is introductory material for absolute beginners in Chinese.
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Education & Development
Youth justice in the UK: children, young people and crime
This free course will introduce you to the many ways of working with children in trouble with the law. You will learn about the emergence of the youth justice system in England and Wales and how it has changed over the years. A comparative approach provides opportunities to learn about the approaches taken in Northern Ireland and Scotland. You will explore topical issues surrounding young people and crime, such as how rates of victimisation and offending vary, with particular reference to the ways age, gender, race and social class shape young people’s experience of crime.
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Science, Maths & Technology
The science of alcohol
Alcohol plays a considerable part in the daily lives of humanity and has done for thousands of years. This free course, The science of alcohol, looks at the science behind the processes of brewing, distilling and vinification, and how many of our beverages are made. A historical aspect is also covered showing how the modern production techniques have developed from ancient methods, and how scientists ensure that products are safe to drink. The course also looks at the biological effects of alcohol, and how it affects the human body.
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Society, Politics & Law
Why are nonhuman animals victims of harm?
In this free course, Why are nonhuman animals victims of harm? you will investigate why nonhuman animals tend to be overlooked as victims of violence. The course explores some of the social processes and structures that victimise other animals, such as ‘livestock’ farming. The course also highlights some of the environmental harms related to ‘livestock’ farming. You will learn about how harms are perpetuated by language and imagery, as well as how language and imagery can be used to oppose and resist harms against nonhuman animals. This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course DD311 Crime, harm and the state Content warning Study in the social sciences – and criminology in particular – inevitably touches on sensitive and emotive topics that may be difficult and upsetting. This course explores harms against nonhuman animals that you may find difficult to work with, including images of nonhuman animals in confinement.
TV, Radio & Events
Hospital
Hospital tells the riveting story of the NHS in unprecedented times.
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TV, Radio & Events
Advent with OpenLearn
Unveil the free learning treats hidden behind each door of the 2020 OpenLearn Advent calendar and discover some gems from the world of learning from throughout the year.
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Education & Development
What do you think about OpenLearn? Take the survey
Let us know what you think! We are running a survey to find out more about how you use OpenLearn, what’s great and what could be improved. The aim is to provide a better free learning experience for everyone.
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Health, Sports & Psychology
Are you driven to distraction?
Can you drive safely and work effectively at the same time? If you ever need to make your vehicle a mobile office, by having hands free phone conversations, how confident are you that neither your work, nor your driving suffers?
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