Free courses
Produced by The Open University, a world leader in open and distance learning, all OpenLearn courses are free to study. We offer nearly 1000 free courses across 9 different subject areas. Our courses are available to start right away.
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Languages
English in the world today
How did English become the global force it is today? This free course, English in the world today, explores the status of the language and its worldwide diversity. It looks at how social and political factors influence people's attitudes towards it, and at the relationship between one's linguistic heritage and sense of identity.
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Languages
Crime fiction in French: le polar français
Le polar, crime fiction, is the most popular literary form in France. In this free course, you will discover the origins and development of French crime fiction, along with its current status, before reflecting on whether it is simply mass entertainment or, rather, genuine literature of quality. You will discover some important authors and work ...
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Languages
Why study languages?
Learning languages and finding out about other countries can be fun, as well as useful, and this free course, Why study languages?, is an introduction to the differences in culture and language about which we all need to be aware. There are 10 independent sections: any selection of them can be studied in any order. Some are about why knowledge ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Languages
Croeso: Beginners' Welsh
This free course, Croeso: Beginners' Welsh, is taken from Croeso, a beginners' language module that concentrates on Welsh as a tool for communication, but it also provides some insights into Welsh societies and cultures through printed and audio materials. It will be of interest to all those who want to improve their language skills in order to ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Languages
Everyday English 2
This free course, Everyday English 2, will inspire you to improve your current English skills and help you to communicate more effectively in everyday work and life.
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Education & Development
English: skills for learning
Develop the English reading and writing skills needed for university success.