Online Course
Exploring English: Language and Culture
- Provider FutureLearn
- Cost Free Online Course (Audit)
- Session Self Paced
- Language English
- Certificate $54 Certificate Available
- Effort 2 hours a week
- Duration 6 weeks long
- Learn more about MOOCs
Taken this course? Share your experience with other students. Write review
Overview
##
On this online English course, you will learn about British life and culture, and improve your English language skills and knowledge.
Through short videos, you will learn about different popular culture topics as well as ways of life in the UK, including English as a global language, the countryside, music, and literature. Filmed in Great Britain, these videos will help you to develop your listening skills as you watch authentic examples of people speaking English. You will also examine some of the language used in the videos and analyse its use and learn how to use it again in practice.
This English language course draws on the British Council’s expertise in online learning. It is one of two courses from its Exploring English course collection.
You can find out more about this course in Chris Cavey’s post for the FutureLearn blog: 3 tips for getting the most out of Exploring English.
This course is for non-native English speakers who have studied English to around intermediate level (approximately B1 on the CEFR).
Taught by
Chris Cavey
Help Center
Most commonly asked questions about FutureLearn
Reviews for FutureLearn's Exploring English: Language and Culture Based on 566 reviews
- 5 stars 75%
- 4 stars 22%
- 3 stars 3%
- 2 stars 1%
- 1 star 0%
Did you take this course? Share your experience with other students.
Write a review- 1
- …
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
I really enjoyed this course, both for the topic and for the grammar review, as well as for the good English I listened to. I am a teacher and I do not have too many occasions to improve my English, but your courses are really interesting. This one is the first one I completed and I suggest it to everyone who is at least an intermediate student.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
"Exploring English: Language and Culture" is a fantastic course in four weeks that will improve our productive (writing and speaking) and receptive (reading and listening) skills. Every week deals with a different subject: week 1 explores English language and its importance in the world; week 2 is...
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
I reallly enjoyed this course. As a Latin American English student I learned much of the English Culture along the coure. Since the British Countrysides, which I had a more surface view, the unique view and description of the landscapes are maginc and I would love to go there to know directly. The Shakespeare...
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
María
by
María
completed this course, spending 2 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be easy.
Very useful for english learners, very well organized, structured by topics it helps to improve and learn grammar, new vocabulary as well as english pronuntiation.
7
people found
this review helpful
this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
It’s an engaging course taking as a starting point our feelings towards language and the importance of the indivisible union of language and culture, as culture is reflected through language by means of speech in verse or prose. We learned in the course why it is said English is a global language and...
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
What for a good course! Indeed, these 4 weeks, our educators have sown seeds of interest to further deepen the knowledge of the UK language and culture.
English and American songs are present anywhere: at my fitness club and at the radio. I was surprised: For the first time in my life, I am carefully...
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Marlena
is taking this course right now and found the course difficulty to be medium.
It's not only great opportunity to improve your language but also really great fun! I enjoy every minute of this course. I think that the best part of the course is the contact with different people from all over the world. Everyone are friendly and helpful and you can fill relaxed and give your best...
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
José
is taking this course right now, spending 4 hours a week on it.
I would like to thank every educator for their dedication to this course and learners. As a worker and a father of family I sometimes have not to much time a day, so I was following the course a Friday evening and I had an answer less than five minutes later. Well... the educator was there, working, at that hour, when maybe he should be enjoying his weekend. So, thanks again.
Every topic is very well prepared, they try us to talk as much as possible, to interact with each other, and that's really fantastic. It isn't here you have the lesson, learn it, make the exercises and finish. No way, you have some exercises, that's truth, but the main exercise is to interact, to talk, to express yourself, your thoughts and your feelings sometimes.
I'm enjoying this course, and no doubt I'll join other courses by British Council.
Every topic is very well prepared, they try us to talk as much as possible, to interact with each other, and that's really fantastic. It isn't here you have the lesson, learn it, make the exercises and finish. No way, you have some exercises, that's truth, but the main exercise is to interact, to talk, to express yourself, your thoughts and your feelings sometimes.
I'm enjoying this course, and no doubt I'll join other courses by British Council.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
By taking this online course I have learned a bit more of how relevant english is as a global language.People use english language in science,education,business and technology all over the world.English music and literature have had an influence on many countries and cultures over the years. Music is a universal language that makes people get together and express feelings and thoughts.Concerning literature one of the best writers is William Shakespeare whose legacy continues present as centuries ago.His plays are being read and studied everywhere.The Brontës sisters also have greatly contributed to english literature with remarkable novels and literary works based on woman's issues such as family,marriage and social status.Learning all these concepts and ideas by sharing information and getting to know other cultures is really valuable.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
At first I would like to thank British Council for giving me a chance to join this online program. In week 2 lessons I have learned about British music. Music is at the heart of British culture. Their Soco music project is making a big difference of kid's life and disadvantaged people. This project work with young people, homeless people, drug addicted and people who has mental health problems.
Glastonbury festivals is a huge fastival. Here they offer fantastic range of music and other forms of intertainment.
In language work section we have learned relative pronoun and relative clauses and a little bit focused on passive voice. we discussed about live music, protecting music, how can music change our lives. In the end I would like to say music plays an important role in our lives, society and media.
Glastonbury festivals is a huge fastival. Here they offer fantastic range of music and other forms of intertainment.
In language work section we have learned relative pronoun and relative clauses and a little bit focused on passive voice. we discussed about live music, protecting music, how can music change our lives. In the end I would like to say music plays an important role in our lives, society and media.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
In my opinion is an excellent course with many resources. It's easy to follow because the material is organized in units by topics. Also the platform is friendly and with a clear menu options. The educator's explanations are great and to have the pdf transcription of the videos is useful.
One thing that I suggest to improve is the volume in the videos. For example it was a little difficult to me listen Davis's review of unit 2 in spite of I did with headphones and with maximum volume. Maybe next time he can use a microphone in order to fix it.
Finally I want to mention that I liked the Facebook live sessions but almost at the end I felt a little bored. I suggest to you include some games to resume and review ideas. For instance Kahoot, https://kahoot.com/schools/, it's a great tool to dynamize the meetings.
One thing that I suggest to improve is the volume in the videos. For example it was a little difficult to me listen Davis's review of unit 2 in spite of I did with headphones and with maximum volume. Maybe next time he can use a microphone in order to fix it.
Finally I want to mention that I liked the Facebook live sessions but almost at the end I felt a little bored. I suggest to you include some games to resume and review ideas. For instance Kahoot, https://kahoot.com/schools/, it's a great tool to dynamize the meetings.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
Well, I'm just taking the course right now, and I can't stop congratulating me for having started it jeje.
I'm in love with the way it is given, all the topics are really interesting, the tutors are so clear, the opinions and comments of the participants are so enriching.
It has happened to me...to think that courses on line were difficult or boring to follow, but this one has totally changed my mind.
I feel as I am in a real classroom where I have real classmates, I have been sharing and telling my kids about different people from many countries, and they have said...so...mum.. you got friends now in different countries, may be one day we could visit them!!
For sure when I finish this one, I'm gonna start any other course that FutureLearn sets up.
I'm in love with the way it is given, all the topics are really interesting, the tutors are so clear, the opinions and comments of the participants are so enriching.
It has happened to me...to think that courses on line were difficult or boring to follow, but this one has totally changed my mind.
I feel as I am in a real classroom where I have real classmates, I have been sharing and telling my kids about different people from many countries, and they have said...so...mum.. you got friends now in different countries, may be one day we could visit them!!
For sure when I finish this one, I'm gonna start any other course that FutureLearn sets up.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
In the past two weeks, I've gained great insights in learning and teaching English. I believe learning always precedes teaching so I am so looking forward to more inputs, interesting discussions and new discoveries not only about the British culture but what the English language is all about. Essentially, learning this global language doesn't come through technically learning the grammatical points by the book, but it comes through exchanging ideas through reading, listening, reacting, responding, engaging and interacting. In short, it is in COMMUNICATING that we learn a new language. I am happy that I have been learning a lot here. Thanks to all the generous providers of this online course. :)
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
I have read many books of English writers. William Shakespeare is the first my English book reading. It was "Hamlet". Then I saw many films of "Hamlet". They are differ from each other. W.Shakespeare tragedies is not easy to read in English for begginers but if you try you will have a great success....
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
I have found the course content relevant to me as a teacher and as a lover of languages. The course reminds me of interesting times I had in the University and I appreciate the tutors. Looking at the culture of UK and bringing in music is indeed a high-point in this course for me, I find the videos really practical creating opportunities to understand the topics well. Wow, the quizzes are just wonderful and I believe that every participant of this course will find every aspect relevant because the content affects every individual and country. I look forward to learning more on this course.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
Undoubtedly the couse is not only interesting but also very useful. At first I thought that I would not be able to understand video because I'm a teacher at a secondary school in a Russian village and I don't have time to practice excellent English with the help of the Internet. We use English students books written by Russian authors (I think it's not good for English learning). In the course I have come across the possibility to listen to very very good English, to write in English, to do tests, to learn something new about British culture. I'm happy that I've joined the course. Many thanks to the organizers of the course!
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
I am really Thanksful for this amazing course. I am from Mexico and I love British culture, if you do too, do not wait go and join the course. You will learn a lot about different aspects of British culture while practicing some of the most important grammar points wich are helpful to improve your English, specially speaking.
You learn about litterature, people, places and my favourite one, music!
I am a little bit sad because it has ended for me but I highly recommend it, you can enjoyr this amazing course too.
So thank you so much I will never forget what I have learnt here. Good bye.
You learn about litterature, people, places and my favourite one, music!
I am a little bit sad because it has ended for me but I highly recommend it, you can enjoyr this amazing course too.
So thank you so much I will never forget what I have learnt here. Good bye.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
1. I just enjoy the British music and I use it to help me learn and teach. Singing songs can help you with pronunciation, vocabulary, intonation, grammar and culture. Here is the link to http://vocaroo.com/?upload.
2. The SoCo music project. http://www.socomusicproject.org.uk/ The project allows...
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
completed this course.
Excellent MOOC, very friendly, very accessible (even from A2 like me :) and very participative, which allows you to improve your English, but not only. It proposes to present some points of view on some aspects of British culture such as music or theatre but also to cross views on English culture and the importance of culture in general for everyone.
As a bonus, it proposes some very interesting links whether it is for British culture or simply to progress in English.
In short, an excellent way to cultivate oneself by training one's English.
As a bonus, it proposes some very interesting links whether it is for British culture or simply to progress in English.
In short, an excellent way to cultivate oneself by training one's English.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
I joined this Exploring English language and culture course on 18 May 2020.
In two weeks know, I enjoyed it. I feel deeply benefited from this learning.
The language and culture course has knowledge encoded in it that is beyond my expectations. I have thoroughly enjoyed the learning process over the past two weeks.
This has greatly increased my motivation to continue with this course.
It is also great to see so many interesting comments and discussions on the platform. Engaging in these discussions has also been good practice for me.
In two weeks know, I enjoyed it. I feel deeply benefited from this learning.
The language and culture course has knowledge encoded in it that is beyond my expectations. I have thoroughly enjoyed the learning process over the past two weeks.
This has greatly increased my motivation to continue with this course.
It is also great to see so many interesting comments and discussions on the platform. Engaging in these discussions has also been good practice for me.
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
Anonymous
Anonymous
is taking this course right now.
When I started this course on Monday 20 January 2020 I was a bit sceptical. I was sure that by the end of the day I was going to give up, but with each step I found interesting and I wanted to know more. I gain more confidence. I am excited as the course goes along and I am looking forward to every week. this has build my confidence even in a way to speak more in English than my native tongue. This is really helpful. Thank you to each person that has contributed in making this a success. Thank you everybody
Was this review helpful to you?
Yes
- 1
- …
Never Stop Learning!
