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
Everyday English 1 free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

Everyday English 1

This free course, Everyday English 1, will develop and improve your essential speaking and listening, reading and writing skills for work, study and everyday life.

Free course
48 hrs
Getting started with Chinese business culture essentials 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 ...

Free course
6 hrs
Getting started with Chinese 1 free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

Getting started with Chinese 1

Have you always wanted to learn how to speak Mandarin Chinese? Are you fascinated by the sound, the script and its ancient civilisation? If so, this introduction will get you started on the essentials of reading, writing, speaking and listening in Chinese through a variety of online activities. A perfect introduction for absolute ...

Free course
8 hrs
Getting started with Italian 2 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 ...

Free course
8 hrs
Translation as a career free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Languages

Translation as a career

This free course explores translation as a career. During the course you will meet professional translators discussing their work and reflect on what they say. You will assess your own language level and find out how translators maintain their language skills. You will also engage in a short translation activity.

Free course
4 hrs
Beginners’ Tamil: a taster course 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
4 hrs
Language and creativity free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Languages

Language and creativity

This free course is an introduction to the relationship between language and creativity, to the roles that linguistic creativity plays in culture and society, and to the different approaches to its study.

Free course
8 hrs
Exploring languages and cultures free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

Exploring languages and cultures

Explore the multiple relationships between languages and cultures. In this free course you will learn about the benefits and challenges of meeting people from different cultures and the ways in which language and human communities shape each other. You will look at the role of intercultural competence at the workplace, reflect on the use of ...

Free course
14 hrs
A brief history of communication: hieroglyphics to emojis free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

A brief history of communication: hieroglyphics to emojis

This free course, A brief history of communication: hieroglyphics to emojis, is an introduction to the history of writing, and the key role it plays in human communication. It tracks this history from the invention of writing around 5500 years ago to the mass popularity of emojis today.

Free course
5 hrs
Language in the real world free course icon level 3: advanced icon

Languages

Language in the real world

This free course, Language in the real world, explains and illustrates why a knowledge about how language works (i.e. ‘linguistics’) is helpful – some might say essential – for different aspects of our everyday lives. It provides an introduction to ideas around what language is and to the field of Applied Linguistics, which is dedicated to ...

Free course
6 hrs
Intermediate Italian: describing people free course icon level 2: intermediate icon

Languages

Intermediate Italian: describing people

This free course, Intermediate Italian: describing people, requires some basic knowledge of Italian. It focuses on describing both physical appearance and personality, as well as on developing listening skills and work on pronunciation.

Free course
8 hrs
Getting started with German 3 free course icon level 1: introductory icon

Languages

Getting started with German 3

You'll start this course by building your vocabulary with language to use whilst shopping, such as items of clothing, colours, and how to ask for help. Then, in Week 2, you'll learn how to talk about television programmes and statistics. The course will give you opportunity to practise expressing preferences, asking for and giving permission and...

Free course
8 hrs