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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Grid List Results: 76 items
Crime fiction in French: le polar français free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

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 ...

Free course
6 hrs
A short introduction to the English language free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

A short introduction to the English language

This free course, A short introduction to the English language, will look at the role language plays in our lives, with a particular focus on the English language. It will examine the history and the future of the language, from the Anglo-Saxons and Shakespeare to social media communication and stand-up comedy.

Free course
5 hrs
Business communication: writing a SWOT analysis free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Money & Business

Business communication: writing a SWOT analysis

This free course, Business communication: writing a SWOT analysis, is designed to develop your writing skills for business. You will be taken step by step through the process of writing a SWOT analysis, with clear advice on selecting key information from a case study text, making concise notes, choosing an appropriate structure and using ...

Free course
8 hrs
Intermediate French: 14 July free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Languages

Intermediate French: 14 July

This free course, Intermediate French: 14 July, is taken from Ouverture, a language module that concentrates on French as a tool for communication, but it also provides some insights into French society and culture through authentic printed, audio and video materials. It will be of interest to all those who want to improve their language skills ...

Free course
10 hrs
Intermediate Spanish: Understanding spoken Spanish free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

Intermediate Spanish: Understanding spoken Spanish

Welcome to this free course, Intermediate Spanish: Understanding spoken Spanish, which is aimed at intermediate learners of Spanish with an interest in language and culture. The six-hour course is designed to develop your understanding of spoken Spanish through six video portraits of people living in Spain. It introduces you to naturally spoken ...

Free course
6 hrs
Grammar matters free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Languages

Grammar matters

Grammar matters because, combined with vocabulary choice, it is our main way of making meaning. This free course introduces you to one approach used to understand how meanings relate systematically to different aspects of grammar and shows how this deeper understanding can be applied to make everyday communication more effective.

Free course
8 hrs
Advanced German: Language, culture and history free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Languages

Advanced German: Language, culture and history

If you already have a good working knowledge of the German language, this free course, Advanced German: Language, culture and history, will help to improve your language skills, knowledge of German-speaking societies and intercultural competence. It will also develop your critical and analytical skills as you study the geography and dialects of ...

Free course
12 hrs
Beginners’ Chinese: a taster course free course icon level 1: introductory icon

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 ...

Free course
4 hrs
Understanding language and learning free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Languages

Understanding language and learning

Learning is understood broadly as any kind of activity, whether in a formal or informal context, that enhances an individual’s knowledge or skills in one way or another. The relationship between language and learning is approached in three ways: learning a language, learning about language and learning through language. This free course, ...

Free course
10 hrs
Beginners’ French: food and drink free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

Beginners’ French: food and drink

Improve your language skills by learning to communicate more easily and effectively in French. In this free course, Beginners' French: food and drink, you will also gain an insight into French societies and cultures through focusing on food and drink. You will listen to French speakers in a variety of situations, and you will be provided with ...

Free course
5 hrs
Languages at work free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

Languages at work

All of us in our working lives increasingly need to work with people from other cultures or those whose native language is foreign, or we may have to go to another country and work as a foreigner ourselves. This free course, Languages at work, is about how to understand differences in culture and how to make the most of existing language skills....

Free course
6 hrs
Intermediate Spanish: A trip across Latin America free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Languages

Intermediate Spanish: A trip across Latin America

In this free course you will embark on a journey off the beaten track, to see the natural wonders of Latin America and some of its people. Intermediate Spanish: A trip across Latin America invites you to discover how people in South and Central America have adapted to the different environments which have created the conditions in which ...

Free course
8 hrs