video icon
Languages
About The Open Centre for Languages and Cultures
Welcome to the OpenLearn Hub of the Open Centre for Languages and Cultures, a collection of free taster courses in a range of languages and communication-related subjects.
article icon
Languages
The interplay of language and culture in times of crisis: COVID-19 and beyond
How important is language and culture in times of crises? This article explores some examples, including zero-COVID China and the war in Ukraine.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Introduction to Ukrainian language and culture
Building on the experience developed since the launch of the Open Centre for Languages and Cultures, this free short course provides an introduction to Ukrainian languages and culture. This course is for everybody who is interested in finding out about Ukraine and its people and wants to get a first insight into its rich cultural heritage. ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Education & Development
An introduction to intercultural competence in the workplace
You might think that knowing about country facts or differences between cultures is the key to being interculturally competent – but that is in fact only a small piece of the puzzle! Intercultural competence is an umbrella term for a range of qualities, attitudes and skills that allow you to mediate and communicate appropriately and effectively ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Education & Development
AI matters
Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents great opportunity, but also significant disruption for modern societies and cultures. This free online short course investigates the historical, ethical and social issues surrounding this technology. It is aimed at people interested in understanding where this technology has come from, the kinds of ...
article icon
Languages
Emotion management for translators
Find out more about this training package on emotion management. The training is designed for translators working as employees in organisations who need to employ specific emotional skills in their working context.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Beginners’ Tamil: a taster course
This free course, Beginners’ Tamil: a taster course, provides a brief introduction to the Tamil language and its scripts and sounds. You will learn how to greet people and introduce yourself, as well as how to count from one to ten. You will also be introduced to Tamil society and culture and will learn about the food and music popular in ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Italian 3
In this free course, Getting started with Italian 3, you will learn and practise how to make enquiries about travel times using the 12-hour and 24-hour clock. You'll also have the opportunity to learn about the Tuscan Archipelago and about ferry services in Italy. The course also explores the Italian rail network and you'll learn vocabulary for ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Italian 2
In the free course, Getting started with Italian 2, you will learn and practise how to ask and say the time in Italian. This will include learning and practising how to ask and say the time using the 24-hour clock, which is commonly used for arrival and departure times and for the opening and closing of shops and services. The course offers ...
article icon
Languages
Emotional intelligence for translators
Find out more about this asynchronous short course on emotional intelligence for translators at all stages of their careers who wish to learn more about maintaining their psychological health.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Spanish 3
This free course will take you some steps further in your journey toward learning Spanish. You should have some previous knowledge of Spanish, whether you have studied Getting Started with Spanish 1 and Getting Started with Spanish 2, or because you have learned Spanish elsewhere. This free course will allow you to practise some very useful ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Spanish 2
This free course is your next step to continue your journey learning Spanish, one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. You should have some knowledge of Spanish, either because you have studied Getting started with Spanish 1 or because you have learned Spanish elsewhere. In this free course you will work with audio and ...