All content
Hundreds of educational interactives, games, quizzes, videos and podcasts, plus 1000s of articles written by academic experts and guest contributors.
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Chinese business culture essentials
Business dealings with China are on the increase. As a result, more and more organisations and business people are realising the need of doing more than just adhering to the rules of Chinese etiquette (such as presenting business cards with both hands) or the ‘dos and don'ts’ (such not opening gifts in front of your hosts) to have successful ...
article icon
Languages
Year of the Ox: Chinese New Year
牛年快乐 ! Niú nián kuàilè! Happy Year of the Ox. Why not learn how to write and pronounce basic Chinese words to celebrate Chinese New Year?
article icon
History & The Arts
Past-Time Lover: Ludwik Lazarus Zamenhof
This article is part of a collection produced for Valentine’s Day. Who would you select for your Valentine from these iconic figures from history?
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Chinese 2
Have you always wanted to speak Mandarin Chinese? Have you even started learning a few basic words and expressions? If so, this course will give you more essentials of reading, writing, speaking and listening through a variety of online activities. A perfect online short course to develop further the skills needed to speak and understand simple ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Spanish 1
If you want to learn a new language for work or for leisure, this free course will introduce you to one of the most widely spoken languages in the world – Spanish. Whether this is the first time that you are learning Spanish, or you have already picked up some words and phrases from travelling across the Spanish-speaking world, this course ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with French 2
This two-week course offers you the opportunity to discuss food, your likes and dislikes as well as to shop or order food. Little by little, you will improve your ability to make more sophisticated conversations and to understand more complex language in a variety of different scenarios. You will also find out facts about France and French ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with German 2
Starting at a typical breakfast table in a German-speaking country, this course will build your vocabulary, teach you how to express your likes and dislikes and introduce you to grammatical concepts that will improve your ability to hold sophisticated conversations in German and understand more complex language in a variety of different ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Chinese 3
Have you previously learned some basic Mandarin Chinese and now want to go a step further? This third introductory course in the Getting started with Chinese series will help you consolidate your language skills and provide you with some essential vocabulary and expressions to improve your Mandarin Chinese in everyday situations. You will ...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with French 3
In this course you will learn how to ask for directions in French. Along the way, you will build up your vocabulary so little by little you will be able to have more complex conversations and understand more French language in a variety of different scenarios.This OpenLearn course is an extract from the beginning of the Open Centre for Languages...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with German 1
Almost 100 million people speak German as their main language. Most of them live in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, making German one of the most widely-used languages in Europe. Although now associated with economic success and advances in science and technology, German has a long-standing reputation as the language of poets and thinkers, die...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with French 1
Whether you want to visit, work or live in a French-speaking environment, you will get more out of the experience if you can communicate effectively with people. In this short course you will begin to develop your reading and listening skills in French and learn to speak and write the language to communicate in everyday situations. You will...
free course icon
level 1: introductory icon
Languages
Getting started with Italian 1
Are you fascinated by the Italian culture and lifestyle, cuisine, historic cities, art and beautiful landscapes? Have you always loved the sound and musicality of the Italian language? Perhaps you’ve visited an Italian city and wished you could chat with local people. Or maybe you would like to be able to read a menu, talk about yourself, or ...