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Course Report

170+ Free University Courses to Learn a New Language

Learn Spanish, Italian, English, Chinese, Korean, and other languages from these free online courses.

There are many language learning apps out there, but MOOCs can do one thing that these apps aren’t doing or can’t do — Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) can teach you about the culture of the parent country.

To get a sense of what I’m talking about, take a look at the intro video for edX’s Mandarin Chinese for Business course.

You can learn Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, Italian, French, and other languages from these free university online courses. Class Central has created a collection of such courses that teach more than 15 different languages.

And if you want to learn English, you can find plenty of resources and courses in my previous article Learn English as a Second Language (ESL) with Hundreds of Courses and Sites.

We particularly recommend six highly rated courses that have made it onto Class Central’s The Best Online Courses of All Time list:

While many courses are constantly available, some are session-based. If your chosen course is not available right now, you can Follow the subject, institution, or provider to receive emails announcing upcoming courses.

Index

Click on a language below to see all courses that teach that particular language, or check the multilingualism list for more about learning languages.

Note that while most of these courses should be available year round, some might only be open for enrollment at certain times of the year, such as Swayam courses and some FutureLearn courses.

More Free Courses

If you don’t find what you need in the course list below, browse Class Central’s catalog of over 150K courses or visit our thematic collections:

You can find all the Class Central free certificate articles here.


Free Online Courses on Multilingualism

Multilingual Practices: Tackling Challenges and Creating Opportunities
University of Groningen via FutureLearn
Learn about central aspects of multilingualism in today’s globalised societies, such as cognition, policies and education.
★★★★★ (23 ratings)

Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics
Leiden University via Coursera
There is no human society, no matter how small or how isolated, which does not employ a language that is rich and diverse. This course introduces you to linguistics, featuring interviews with well-known linguists and with speakers of many different languages.
★★★★★ (98 ratings)

Linguistic Diversity, What for?
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) via Coursera
In this course we approach linguistic diversity and multilingualism not only from a theoretical point of view, but also from a perspective oriented to help understand and manage various contexts that emerge from diversity in different environments of social interaction.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Multilingual Learning for a Globalised World
University of Glasgow via FutureLearn
This free online course will explore multilingual education and how it can impact and improve education and even wider society.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Applied Linguistics
Indian Institute of Technology Madras via Swayam
Language is an essential part of all that we do. It defines us as humans. This course deals with the applications of theoretical tools in understanding languages and out come of the analyses of theoretical tools. We aim to have delivered the applications of the fundamental ideas of language to the fields such as language teaching and learning, cognitive science, education, and language disorder and disabilities.

Exploring languages and cultures
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Free Online Chinese Courses

Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People
Tsinghua University via edX
Beginners’ Chinese course from China’s top university.
★★★★★ (100 ratings)

Chinese for Beginners
Peking University via Coursera
This is an ABC Chinese course for beginners, including introduction of phonetics and daily expressions. After taking this class, learners can have a basic understanding of Chinese Mandarin and make basic conversations of daily living.
★★★★☆ (61 ratings)

More Chinese for Beginners
Peking University via Coursera
This is an advanced course for Chinese for beginners. Learners will expand vocabularies about personal information, daily life, food and drink, healthy, and common expressions.
★★★★★ (7 ratings)

Chinese for HSK 5
Peking University via Coursera
The HSK Level 5 course is a course that improves learners’ Chinese level through HSK Level 5 learning and then achieve good results in the HKS Level 5 exam.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for Beginners
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for beginners is a beginner’s course of Mandarin Chinese. It uses lectures, short plays, interactive exercises and cultural tips to help learners build a fundamental capability of oral Chinese in real-life situations.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Chinese for HSK 3 PART I
Peking University via Coursera
Chinese for HSK 3 is a 10-week course. It consists of two parts: Part I, which is a 6-week program, covers vocabulary and grammar delivered mainly through dialogues and passages; Part II takes 4 weeks to complete and the foci are exercises and testing strategies.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Chinese Characters for beginner (2) 汉字(2)
Peking University via Coursera
This is an elementary course on learning Chinese characters. Together, we will continue to learn another 240 Chinese characters in this course. And we will learn about another 1,200 basic Chinese words composed of 240 commonly used Chinese characters.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

中级汉语语法 | Intermediate Chinese Grammar
Peking University via edX
这门课将帮助学习者关注和理解汉语的语法特点,解决汉语学习中的语法难点,提高准确、恰当地运用语法知识进行说、读、写、译的能力。Learn Chinese grammatical concepts to improve your Chinese language skills in speaking, reading, writing and translating.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Chinese for HSK 6
Peking University via Coursera
The HSK Level 6 course aims to improve learners’ Chinese proficiency by learning HSK Level 6 related content, and to help learners get good grades in the HSK Level 6 exam.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Mandarin Chinese Level 2
MandarinX via edX
Develop practical Mandarin skillswith extensive vocabulary, phrases and sentence structures used in daily communication and business environments.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Chinese for HSK 4
Peking University via Coursera
Chinese for HSK 4 is a 10-week course. It consists of two parts: Part I, which is a 6-week program, covers vocabulary and grammar delivered mainly through dialogues and passages; Part II takes 4 weeks to complete and the foci are exercises and testing strategies.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Translation in Practice
Nanjing University via Coursera
This course offers you basic but valuable techniques used by a good translator in the translation between English and Chinese.

Chinese for HSK 1
Peking University via Coursera
The course covers the four skills although only listening and reading are tested in HSK. At the end of the course, you will be able to understand and use simple Chinese phrases and meet basic needs for communication.
★★★★☆ (5 ratings)

Fall in Love with Mandarin
National Chiao Tung University via FutureLearn
Learn everyday Mandarin and discover Taiwanese culture in the process

Chinese Characters for beginner 汉字
Peking University via Coursera
This is an elementary course on learning Chinese characters. Together, we will start from the basic element of Chinese characters– Strokes. Then we will learn 1,200 basic Chinese words composed of 240 commonly used Chinese characters.

Mandarin Chinese Level 1
MandarinX via edX
Mandarin Chinese is rapidly becoming one of the top languages to learn, especially for business. Learnbasic language skills for business scenarios in Mandarin-speaking countries.

Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for Beginners
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for beginners is a beginner’s course of Mandarin Chinese in continuation of Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for beginners. It uses lectures, short plays, interactive exercises and cultural tips to help learners build a fundamental capability of oral Chinese in real-life situations.

Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Part 2
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
“Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for Intermediate Learners” is the second course of the MOOC specialization “Learn Intermediate Mandarin Chinese” created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Chinese for HSK 2
Peking University via Coursera
This course is called “Chinese for HSK Level 2”, which is also the second step towards HSK Level 6. At the end of the 6 weeks, you will be able to express your views towards some simple and common daily life topics.

Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Capstone Project
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
“Mandarin Chinese: Capstone Project for Intermediate Learners” is the fourth and final course of the MOOC specialization “Learn Intermediate Mandarin Chinese” created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Learning Chinese : Start From Scratch (零到一學中文)
National Taiwan University via Coursera
This course’s main objective is to study practical conversation. By watching videos showing various kinds of situations, learners will recognize and understand vocabulary, pair everyday words together with grammar to form short phrases, and learn the correct way to express words used in day-to-day life.

Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Part 3
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
“Mandarin Chinese 3: Chinese for Intermediate Learners” is the third course of the MOOC specialization “Learn Intermediate Mandarin Chinese” created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Getting started with Chinese 1
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Getting started with Chinese 2
The Open University via OpenLearn
Have you always wanted to speak 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 …

Getting started with Chinese 3
The Open University via OpenLearn
Have you previously learned some basic 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 …

Beginners’ Chinese: a taster course
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

中级商务汉语 – 入职与营销篇 | Intermediate Business Chinese – Recruitment and Marketing
Peking University via edX
<p lang=”zh”>本课程是针对具有一定汉语水平的外国学习者的中级商务汉语课程。课程共分为两篇六课。“两篇”是根据学习内容的不同分为的公司入职篇和市场营销篇。其中公司入职篇包括:招聘广告、应聘面试、入职第一天;产品营销篇包括产品介绍、市场营销、售后服务。</p> <br /> <p>This Intermediate Business Chinese course is designed for for learners with a certain level of Chinese proficiency.</p>

汉语与文化交际 Chinese Cultural Communication
Peking University via edX
Learn Chinese as a second language, understand Chinese culture…

Chinese Language in Culture: Level 2
Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX
Learn both cultural competence and language proficiency for successful participation in Mandarin-speaking societies.

Chinese Language in Culture: Level 1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX
Learn both cultural competence and language proficiency for successful participation in Mandarin-speaking societies.

Mandarin Chinese for Business
MandarinX via edX
Learn common Mandarin Chinese business phrases and understand Chinese culture so you can communicate professionally in the largest market in the world.

Mandarin Chinese Level 3
MandarinX via edX
Advance your Mandarin Chinese by tackling different topics in dynamic business scenarios with extensive vocabulary and compound sentence structures.

Mandarin Chinese Essentials
MandarinX via edX
This course is your first crucial step to learning Mandarin Chinese. Learn essential skills for communicating in Chineseincluding tones, pinyin, grammar, characters, and basic structures all within the context of a business environment.

Mandarin (Chinese) for beginners
IGNOU via Swayam
This course is aimed at imparting basic skills in Mandarin Chinese language to the learner. The course focuses on gradual inculcation of speaking, writing and reading ability in the language. It has sections on sounds, pronunciation, tones and the basic grammar. It aims at enabling the beginners to comprehend and communicate in basic Mandarin. It not only enables the learner to speak and communicate in Chinese, but also teaches Chinese characters following the rules of stroke and stroke order.

Learn Mandarin Chinese: Capstone Project
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
In this course, learners are required to complete a few tasks of using Chinese languages in simulated real-life situations. Some guidance on taking and passing HSK (Chinese proficiency test) will also be provided.

Business Chinese 1 中级汉语 (上)
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
The MOOC presents lively, authentic, and up-to-date dialogues for daily conversations and business communications. The contents integrate trendy technologies with real-life situations.

Chinese for HSK 3 PART II
Peking University via Coursera
The HSK (Level 3) test is made up of listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing sections and contains a total of 80 items. The test will last for 90 minutes in total (including 5 minutes in which the test takers fill in personal information).

Mandarin Chinese 3: Chinese for Beginners
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
Mandarin Chinese 3: Chinese for beginners is a beginner’s course of Mandarin Chinese in continuation of Mandarin Chinese 2: Chinese for beginners. It uses lectures, short plays, interactive exercises and cultural tips to help learners build a fundamental capability of oral Chinese in real-life situations.

现代汉语核心语法
Peking University via Coursera
According to the characteristics of the foreign student learning Chinese, this course systematically introduces the main grammar of Chinese, such as part of speech, sentence constituent, single sentence, complex sentence, discourse, expression method.

Mandarin Chinese for Intermediate Learners: Part 1
Shanghai Jiao Tong University via Coursera
“Mandarin Chinese 1: Chinese for Intermediate Learners” is the first course of the MOOC specialization “Learn Intermediate Mandarin Chinese” created by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

是誰在說話 — 可愛的臺灣。(Intermediate Chinese)
National Taiwan University via Coursera
This course uses four scenic locations in Taiwan as the main topics. Besides emphasis on teaching vocabulary, grammar, and text comprehension, each lesson’s text will feature a non-human protagonist, retelling the past and present of each location.

Free Online Spanish Courses

Basic Spanish 3: Getting there
Universitat Politècnica de València via edX
Beginners course for learners of Spanish that focuses not only on language but also on cultural aspects, specifically designed for English speakers.
★★★★★ (123 ratings)

Basic Spanish 2: One Step Further
Universitat Politècnica de València via edX
Beginners course for learners of Spanish that focuses not only on language, but also on cultural aspects, specifically designed for English speakers.
★★★★★ (60 ratings)

Basic Spanish 1: Getting Started
Universitat Politècnica de València via edX
Learn Spanish and explore Spanish culture in this introductory language course, designed for English speakers.
★★★★☆ (408 ratings)

Spanish Language
Modern States via Independent
This Spanish Language course reviews materials typically learned during the first and second year of college study. Our goal is to prepare you to pass the College Board’s CLEP examination and obtain college credit for free.
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Spanish Vocabulary: Meeting People
University of California, Davis via Coursera
¡Hola! ¿Como Estas? In this entry level course, you will take the first step toward exploring the foundations of Spanish grammar and pronunciation, and will begin to build a working vocabulary of common Spanish words and expressions.

Spanish Vocabulary Project
University of California, Davis via Coursera
In this course, we’ll imagine that you are applying for an all-expenses-paid, educational trip to a Spanish-speaking nation of your choice.

Spanish for Beginners
Universidad a Distancia de Madrid via iversity
E.L.E. Course Spanish in Context Level A1.1:This is a dynamic, fun, interactive and practical course aimed at obtaining a communicative competence which allows the correct linguistic interaction required in different communicative situations.

AP® Spanish Language and Culture
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School via edX
Perfect your Spanish speaking and writing skills while learning about the cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world to prepare for the AP* Spanish Language and Culture exam.

Spanish Vocabulary: Careers and Social Events
University of California, Davis via Coursera
¡Hola! This fourth course will introduce new vocabularies in the areas of dining, fashion, professions and careers and will bring you ever closer to the 500 word threshold for beginning Spanish.

Spanish Vocabulary: Cultural Experience
University of California, Davis via Coursera
¡Bienvenidos! This second course in the specialization will build on the basic vocabulary you learned in the first course, and you will begin to build the skills necessary to express your likes and dislikes orally and in writing.

Spanish Vocabulary: Sports, Travel, and the Home
University of California, Davis via Coursera
Building on the vocabulary and skills that you have already mastered, this third course of the specialization will introduce new vocabulary that will prepare you to discuss sports, pastimes and politics — important cultural elements of the Spanish-speaking world.

Spanish for Successful Communication in Healthcare Settings
Rice University via Coursera
This course is structured in four modules, each one revolving on a topic related to the physician-patient interaction. Each module contains four lessons; on grammar, vocabulary, the dynamics of the spoken interaction, and aspects of sociocultural relevance.

Advanced Spanish: Art in Buenos Aires
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Advanced Spanish: Art in Buenos Aires, uses a documentary about artists in Buenos Aires to help you to develop your listening skills. By assessing various parts of the documentary…

Advanced Spanish: Arts and crafts
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Advanced Spanish: Arts and crafts, is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of Spanish-speaking societies and cultures and extend the practical skills of listening,…

Advanced Spanish: Language in context
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Advanced Spanish: Language in context, will develop your knowledge and understanding of the societies and cultures of Spain and Latin America and extend the practical skills of …

Advanced Spanish: Protest song
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Advanced Spanish: Protest song, will develop your knowledge and understanding of the societies and cultures of Spain and Latin America and extend the practical skills of …

Intermediate Spanish: A trip across Latin America
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Intermediate Spanish: Understanding spoken Spanish
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Beginners’ Spanish: Getting around
The Open University via OpenLearn
Do you want to improve your language skills and communicate more easily and effectively in Spanish? This free course, Beginners’ Spanish: Getting around, concentrates on Spanish as a tool for …

Foundations of Spanish for Global Communication
King’s College London via FutureLearn
Suitable even for beginners, this course from the Modern Language Centre will get you well versed in the art of speaking Spanish.

Foundations of Medical Spanish
Universidad Anáhuac via edX
Enhance your communication skills as a doctor or healthcare professional with this introductory Spanish course to engage better with Latin and Hispanic patients.

Learn Spanish: Survival Spanish for Beginners
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana via FutureLearn
Grasp the basics of Spanish and gain the skills to speak Spanish confidently in different contexts with this practical course.

Spanish for beginners: Learn in paradise
The Pontificia Universidad Javeriana via edX
Explore Colombian culture as you learn Spanish on a very basic level, learning the most common survival Spanish travel phrases while you follow the story of an American girl arriving in the city of Cali, Colombia.

Basic Spanish
Universitat Politècnica de València via edX
Learn Spanish language online at your own pace. Whether you are learning Spanish to study or work abroad, this program will help you get started.

BSL-001: Basics of Spanish Language and Culture-I
IGNOU via Swayam
This basic Spanish language and culture course is aimed at students with no prior knowledge of Spanish who are interested in learning Spanish as a foreign language and desire to receive cultural information on the Hispanic countries.

BSL-002 Basics of Spanish Language and Culture-II
IGNOU via Swayam
¡Bienvenidos y bienvenidas!This course aims to develop students’ language proficiency at a higher level by building on the skills acquired in the BSL001 course (equivalent to an A1 level).

Free Online French Courses

Étudier en France: French Intermediate course B1-B2
École Polytechnique via Coursera
Ce cours de français de niveau intermédiaire B1/B2, conforme aux exigences du Cadre européen de Référence pour les Langues, s’inscrit dans le double dispositif “former avec le numérique”et “langue et interculturalité” mis en place par l’Université Paris Saclay.
★★★★★ (4 ratings)

Proficiency Course in French
CEC via Swayam
The objectives of this course include familiarising learners with the basic sounds, letters, numbers, grammar and vocabulary of French.

Getting started with French 1
The Open University via OpenLearn
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…

Getting started with French 2
The Open University via OpenLearn
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…

Getting started with French 3
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Upper intermediate French: discovering French cinema
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Upper intermediate French: discovering French cinema, will help you discover aspects of French and francophone cinema. At the same time, you will also focus on grammatical points,…

Advanced French: At the science museum in Paris
The Open University via OpenLearn
Using the topic of science and technology in France, this free course, Advanced French: At the science museum in Paris, will show you how to structure arguments, write a summary, use the …

Intermediate French: 14 July
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Intermediate French: Holiday plans
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Intermediate French: Holiday plans, is taken from Ouverture, a language course that concentrates on French as a tool for communication, but it also provides some insights into …

Intermediate French: Understanding spoken French
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Intermediate French: Understanding spoken French, is aimed at intermediate learners of French with an interest in language and culture. It is designed to develop your …

Beginners’ French: A trip to Avignon
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Beginners’ French: A trip to Avignon, helps you to acquire the basic language to find your way around a French town. You will learn how to understand and give directions, ask …

Beginners’ French: food and drink
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

French Language
Modern States via Independent
It reviews the fundamentals taught in two to three semesters of French language at college

Foundations of French for Global Communication
King’s College London via FutureLearn
Learn the basics of the French language and discover how French fluency can improve your professional life and career.

BFLI-001: PARLER DE SOI / Talking About Oneself (French)
IGNOU via Swayam
This course is aimed at teaching basic communication skills in French to the learner. It has sections on introducing oneself, speaking about oneself and simple introduction conversations, with exercises and activitiesCourse Credit3

BFLI-002: FRENCH Échanger / Interactions (French)
IGNOU via Swayam
In this course titled Échanger or Interactions, simple expressions, sentences and grammar are taken up. This course aims at initiating the learner into some more aspects of interaction patterns and introducing some more aspects of life and culture in France. Course Credit3

Free Online Italian Courses

L’Italiano nel mondo
University of Naples Federico II via edX
Impara a ragionare sulla competenza linguistica e sul modo in cui utilizzi la lingua italiana
★★★★★ (23 ratings)

Dialetti in Italia
University of Naples Federico II via edX
Muovi i primi passi nella complessità della realtà linguistica italiana, in cui, accanto all’italiano, sono parlati numerosi dialetti. Nati direttamente dal latino, sono di ampia diffusione nella vita quotidiana, nella letteratura e nel cinema italiano.
★★★★★ (6 ratings)

Introduction to Italian
Università per Stranieri di Siena via FutureLearn
Learn basic Italian and explore Italian culture, with this free online Italian course.
★★★★★ (5 ratings)

Speak Italian With Your Mouth Full (Spring 2012)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology via MIT OpenCourseWare
The participants in this seminar will dive into learning basic conversational Italian, Italian culture, and the Mediterranean diet.
★★★★★ (1 rating)

Italian Language and Culture: Beginner (2021-2022)
Wellesley College via edX
Learn the basics of the Italian language and culture through videos, podcasts, interviews, and much more.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Beginners’ Italian: food and drink
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Beginners’ Italian: food and drink, focuses on buying drinks and snacks in an Italian café, as well as on greeting and introducing yourself in Italian. It does not require any …

Getting started with Italian 1
The Open University via OpenLearn
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’…

Getting started with Italian 2
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Getting started with Italian 3
The Open University via OpenLearn
In this free course, Getting started with Italian 3, you will learn and practise how to make enquiries about travel times using the 12-hour and 24-hour clock. You’ll also have the opportunity to …

Intermediate Italian: describing people
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Italian Language and Culture: Intermediate (2021-2022)
Wellesley College via edX
Improve your Italian language skills and expand your vocabulary while you learn about Italian art, literature and contemporary society.

Italian Language and Culture: Advanced (2021-2022)
Wellesley College via edX
Enhance your knowledge of the Italian language and learn about Italy’s culture and history including theater, opera and the poet Dante.

Italian Language around the world
University of Naples Federico II via edX
Learn the history and evolution of the Italian language over time, as a language of communication and culture

AP® Italian Language and Culture (2022-2023)
Wellesley College via edX
Improve your language skills and expand your knowledge of contemporary Italian culture! If you are a high school student, prepare for success in the AP® Italian exam!

Benvenuti in Italia! Orientarsi con l’italiano – Part 2
Politecnico di Milano via Polimi OPEN KNOWLEDGE
This beginner’s course, stemming from the European project e-LOCAL (Electronically Learning Other Cultures And Languages), will guide you into the discovery of Italian language and culture.

Free Online Japanese Courses

Steps in Japanese for Beginners1 Part1
Waseda University via edX
Learn basic Japanese expressions to survive in Japanese.
★★★★★ (2 ratings)

Japanese Culture and Language (I) | 日语与日本文化(1)
Tsinghua University via edX
Do you have interests in the Japanese life styles and their national cultures? Do you have the ambition to grasp some basic Japanese quickly?Then this is the course for you. 你想了解日本人的生活细节和民族文化吗?你想快速掌握日语的基础知识吗?欢迎选择本课程。

Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur via Swayam
This course focuses on conversational skills and basic training in sentence construction, simple situational conversation, grammatical knowledge and elements of Kanji (Chinese pictograms),and the kana (Katakana and Hiragana) scripts.

Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture – II
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur via Swayam
The material is designed for people who wish to have a reasonable working knowledge of written and spoken Japanese, which will help them interact better with the Japanese people and companies in their personal and/or professional life.

Let’s Read! Learning Japanese through Science & Technology-2
The University of Tokyo via Coursera
This is the second part of our Japanese language learning courses. It focuses on improving Japanese reading comprehension through vocabulary and expressions retention, with a theme of Science and Engineering research at the University of Tokyo.

Japanese Pronunciation for Communication
Waseda University via edX
Practice pronunciation and improve your spoken Japanese in context.

Steps in Japanese for Beginners1 Part2
Waseda University via edX
Learn how to acquire essential information, as well as how to convey information to others.

Steps in Japanese for Beginners1 Part3
Waseda University via edX
Learn important words and phrases for building relationships with other people.

Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part1
Waseda University via edX
Learn casual expressions which are used among people who know each other well and the small talk which helps build personal relationships.

Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part3
Waseda University via edX
Learn how to explain a troubling situation, and how to ask for assistance from people.

Steps in Japanese for Beginners2 Part2
Waseda University via edX
Learn how to ask the details about a situation and make requests to people.

Steps in Japanese for Beginners3 Part3
Waseda University via edX
Learn academic expressions and interaction at companies

Steps in Japanese for Beginners3 Part2
Waseda University via edX
Learn how to express emotion both publicly and privately

Steps in Japanese for Beginners3 Part1
Waseda University via edX
Learn manners and rules needed develop personal relationships with various people and expressions necessary for natural disasters

Japanese Culture and Language (II) | 日语与日本文化(2)
Tsinghua University via edX
Do you have interests in the Japanese life styles and their national cultures? Do you have the ambition to grasp some basic Japanese quickly? Then this is the course for you. 你想了解日本人的生活细节和民族文化吗?你想快速掌握日语的基础知识吗?欢迎选择本课程。

Let’s Read! Learning Japanese through Science & Technology-1
The University of Tokyo via Coursera
This course focuses on improving Japanese reading comprehension through vocabulary and expressions retention, with a theme of Science and Engineering research at the University of Tokyo.

Free Online German Courses

German – I
Indian Institute of Technology Madras via Swayam
German I is meant to be an introduction to the German language and a basic orientation towards Germany (and to some extent Austria and Switzerland).
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

German – II
Indian Institute of Technology Madras via Swayam
German II builds upon German I to help the learner acquire the A level of competence(A1+A2) as per the European Common Language Framework.

German – III
Indian Institute of Technology Madras via Swayam
German 3 will build upon the courses German 1 and German 2, which are already being offered on the NPTEL platform since two years.

Getting started with German 1
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Getting started with German 2
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Getting started with German 3
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Advanced German: Regional landscapes
The Open University via OpenLearn
German regions and landscapes, local traditions and the notion of Heimat are at the centre of this free course, Advanced German: Regional landscapes. You will describe images, make notes from a …

Intermediate German: The world of work
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Intermediate German: The world of work, concentrates on developing cultural knowledge and practical language skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing and interacting in a …

Intermediate German: Understanding spoken German
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Intermediate German: Understanding spoken German, is aimed at intermediate learners of German with an interest in language and culture. The six-hour-course is designed to develop …

Beginners’ German: food and drink
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Beginners’ German: food and drink, provides materials that support the development of listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. The content focuses on food, restaurants and…

Beginners’ German: Places and people
The Open University via OpenLearn
Do you want to learn the basics of the German language? This free course, Beginners’ German: Places and people, will take you on a journey through German-speaking countries. You will read and hear …

German Language
American University via Independent
It reviews the fundamentals taught in two to three semesters of German language at college.

German-II
NPTEL via YouTube
In this course, you will learn A1-level German. Communicate in simple and routine tasks, requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

German-I
NPTEL via YouTube
In this course, you will learn A1-level German. Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.

Free Online Irish Courses

Irish 101: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Get an introduction to Ireland’s culture by learning the basics of the Irish language.
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Irish 102: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Find out how to speak, write and understand basic words, phrases and dialogues in Irish.

Irish 103: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Learn to talk about occupations, daily life and personal skills in this third introductory course on the Irish language.

Irish 104: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Learn to talk about arrangements and give commands, whilst discovering the role of women in Irish myths and legends.

Irish 105: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Deepen your understanding of Irish culture and language, exploring new conversational subjects such as the family and pastimes.

Irish 106: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Delve deeper into Irish language and culture. You’ll explore past and future tenses – plus new subjects, like food and drink.

Irish 107: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Continue on your Irish language journey and explore conversational themes and gain new insights into Irish culture and language.

Irish 108: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Build on your existing knowledge of the Irish language and culture; cover topics like giving directions and making arrangements.

Irish 201: An Introduction to Irish Language and Culture
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Learn about the rich culture found in the Irish language while developing your spoken, reading, listening and writing skills.

Irish 202: Irish Language and Culture for Adults
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Develop your ability to speak and write in the Irish language and learn more about traditional Irish culture and mythology.

Irish 203: Irish Language and Culture for Adults
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Develop your Irish language skills whilst discovering Irish culture with Dublin City University.

Irish 204: Irish Language and Culture for Adults
Dublin City University via FutureLearn
Discover the wonders of the Irish language and the rich history of Irish culture in this language course for adults.

Free Online Korean Courses

First Step Korean
Yonsei University via Coursera
This is an elementary-level Korean language course, and covers 4 skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
★★★★★ (122 ratings)

Learn to Speak Korean 1
Yonsei University via Coursera
This course is for beginner students who are familiar with the Korean alphabet, Hangeul. Through this course students will learn the skills essential for daily interactions with Koreans while living in Korea.
★★★★★ (12 ratings)

The Korean Alphabet: An Introduction to Hangeul
Sungkyunkwan University via Coursera
This course introduces Korean characters,’Hangeul’, and provides high-level knowledge related to Hangeul.
★★★★☆ (1 rating)

Introduction to Korean
Hanyang University via FutureLearn
Get an introduction to the language and culture of Korea, with this online Korean course from Hanyang University in Seoul.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

The Korean Alphabet: An Introduction to Hangeul
Sungkyunkwan University via FutureLearn
Discover the basics of Hanguel, the official alphabet and writing system of Korea dating back to the fifteenth-century.
★★★★☆ (2 ratings)

A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Advanced Ⅰ
Sungkyunkwan University via Coursera
Through this course, you can understand Korean more deeply and get advanced Korean language skills.

A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Intermediate1
Sungkyunkwan University via Coursera
Through this class, you can use expressions such as introducing, talking about experiences, and comforting, and you will be able to increase your understanding of basic Korean culture.

A Bridge to the World: Korean Language for Beginners Ⅰ
Sungkyunkwan University via Coursera
This course is an introductory course to Korean language that aims to cultivate basic communication skill for those that are interested in learning Korean language.

Introduction to Korean: 2
Hanyang University via FutureLearn
Develop your understanding of the Korean language and explore Korean culture.

Intermediate Korean: Exploring the Language and Culture of Korea
Hanyang University via FutureLearn
Improve your Korean language proficiency and dive deeper into the country’s fascinating sociocultural practices.

Introduction to Korean Studies
University of Queensland via edX
Introduction to Korean Studies including culture, language, history, politics and the economy.

Fun in Korea: Useful Expressions and Cultural Information for Travellers
University of Malaya via FutureLearn
Build from the basics of Korean culture, traditions, and manners, and gain knowledge of speaking and understanding the language.

Free Online Norwegian Courses

Norwegian for Beginners 1
Norwegian University of Science and Technology via FutureLearn
Master the basics of the Norwegian language. Gain confidence in speaking and understanding common phrases.

Norwegian for Beginners 2
Norwegian University of Science and Technology via FutureLearn
Continue to improve your understanding of the Norwegian language and Norwegian culture.

Norwegian for Beginners 3
Norwegian University of Science and Technology via FutureLearn
Continue building your understanding of the Norwegian language and culture with the third online course for beginners from NTNU.

Free Online Portuguese Courses

Pluralidades em Português Brasileiro
Universidade Estadual de Campinas via Coursera
Pluralidades em Português Brasileiro is a five-week long online self-access course whose aim is to expand intercultural awareness and develop upper intermediate/advanced reading and listening comprehension skills regarding Brazilian Portuguese as a foreign language.
★★★★☆ (3 ratings)

Let’s Learn Portuguese Language
University of Malaya via FutureLearn
Enhance your vacation and gain an understanding of one of the world’s friendliest and most vibrant countries through language.

Foundations of Portuguese for Global Communication
King’s College London via FutureLearn
Build a foundation in Portuguese with this introduction to the language and open up your career possibilities.

Free Online Russian Courses

Proficiency Course in Russian
CEC via Swayam
As Russian language is different from other European languages in the script, morphology, syntactic structures etc., the course is designed in such a way that the learner is at ease with the learning process. The various concepts have been explained in detail with sufficient examples.

ORU-001: Communication Skills-I
IGNOU via Swayam
Basics of Russian: ORU-001: Communication Skills-I The present course aims at introducing the basics of the Russian grammar and gradually builds competence in Reading and Writing Russian. The objective of the course is to introduce learners to the basics of Russian grammar so that they can read and write Russian in an accurate manner. Indirect method of Teaching has been used for this course. The course will enable learners to Read and Write Russian with confidence in their daily communications.

ORUL-002-Communication Skills-II
IGNOU via Swayam
Basics of Russian: ORUL-002:Communication Skills-II The course aims at providing beginners with basics of Russian Language. The objective of the course is to introduce learners to the basics of Russian phonetics so that they can read, write, listen and speak Russian in an accurate manner. Communicative method of Teaching has been used for this course. The course will enable learners to Listen and Speak Russian with confidence in their daily communications.

Free Online Sanskrit Courses

Spoken Sanskrit: Basic and Intermediate Levels
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur via Swayam
The objective of this course is to give students a taste of Sanskrit as a living language by introducing them to its basic grammatical structures so that they can start understanding simple texts as well as allow them to use it in daily life.

Secondary : Sanskrit (209)
NIOS via Swayam
संस्कृतभाषा विश्वस्य प्राचीनतमा भाषा अस्ति। अस्यां भाषायां ज्ञान-विज्ञानयोः अनेके ग्रंथाः लिखिताः;ये आधुनिकस्य विज्ञानस्यापि अध्ययने सहायकाः

Sr.Secondary : Sanskrit (309)
NIOS via Swayam
औचित्यम्संस्कृतं नाम विश्वस्य प्राचीनतमा भाषा। एषा भाषा अधिकांशभारतीयभाषाणाम् यूरोपीयभाषाणां च जननीरूपेण अथवा सम्पोषिकारूपेण विराजते। एषा ननु मूलघेतः एव भारतीयसंस्कृतेः

Free Online Arabic Courses

BAL-001: Basics Of Arabic
IGNOU via Swayam
This programme aims at acquainting the beginners with essential rudiments of the Arabic Language, and gradually and systematically inculcates in them an ability to speak, write and read the language with a certain degree of accuracy and confidence.

BAL-002: Communication Skills
IGNOU via Swayam
This programme aims at acquainting the beginners with essential rudiments of the Arabic Language, and gradually and systematically inculcates in them an ability to speak, write and read the language with a certain degree of accuracy and confidence.

Free Online Courses for Other Languages

Introduction to Dutch
University of Groningen via FutureLearn
Learn to speak, write and understand basic Dutch, with this free, three-week, introductory foreign language course.
★★★★★ (295 ratings)

Introduction to Frisian
University of Groningen via FutureLearn
Learn to speak, write and understand the second official language of the Netherlands with this free introductory language course.
★★★★★ (29 ratings)

Noongar Language and Culture
Curtin University via edX
Learn about the Noongar people of Western Australia, their culture and their language.
★★★★★ (3 ratings)

Getting started on ancient Greek
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Getting started on ancient Greek, offers a taster of the ancient Greek world through the study of one of its most distinctive and enduring features: its language.The course …

Discovering Ancient Greek and Latin
The Open University via OpenLearn
The free course, Discovering Ancient Greek and Latin, gives a taste of what it is like to learn two ancient languages. It is for those who have encountered the classical world through translations…

Getting started on classical Latin
The Open University via OpenLearn
This free course, Getting started on classical Latin, has been developed in response to requests from learners who had had no contact with Latin before and who felt they would like to spend a …

Beginners’ Tamil: a taster course
The Open University via OpenLearn
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 …

Learn Ancient Greek
Harvard University via YouTube
Leonard Muellner (Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies at Brandeis University) and Belisi Gillespie present all the content covered in two semesters of a college-level Introduction to Ancient Greek course.

Let’s Learn Thai Language
University of Malaya via FutureLearn
Enhance your vacation and gain an understanding of one of the world’s friendliest and most beautiful countries through language.

Learn Bahasa Melayu: Introduction to the Malay Language
University of Malaya via FutureLearn
Learn the fundamentals of the Malay language and develop your skills in speaking, reading, and writing in Bahasa Melayu.

OUL-001 Huroof Shanasi Aur Talaffuz (حروف شناسی اور تلفوز)
IGNOU via Swayam
This is an introductory course in Urdu Language designed for students who want to learn Urdu from the very beginning.

Sr.Secondary : Hindi (301)
NIOS via Swayam
हिंदी अपने साहित्यिक एवं बोलचाल के रूप के माध्यम से आरम्भ से ही जन आकाक्षाओं की अभी व्यक्ति करती रही है,हिंदी साहित्य की समृधि ‌‌‌का यह बहुत बड़ा कारण है कि हिंदी ने समयनुसार अपने आप को परिवर्तित एवं समृद्ध किया है , आज के समय में एक तरफ तो हिंदी में अनेक विधाओं का साहित्य लिखा जा रहा है दूसरी तरफ हिंदी मीडिया का भी विस्तार हुआ है हिंदी भाषी सामान्य व्यक्ति नई सूचना-क्रांति के परिणामस्वरूप

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Pat Bowden

Online learning specialist, still learning after 200+ online courses completed since 2012. Class Central customer support and help since 2018. I am keen to help others make the most of online learning, so I set up a website:  www.onlinelearningsuccess.org

Comments 2

  1. IDN Live

    Nice article, waiting for you next article

    Reply
  2. Tiff

    Would be great to see a few indigenous languages listed. There are so many that are near extinction.

    Reply

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