The Open University’s School of Languages and Applied Linguistics (LAL) have launched a collection of new 16-week short courses in beginners French, German, Spanish, Italian, Welsh, Chinese and Chinese Business Culture Essentials for leisure, work, professional development and academic study. With European Day of Languages this weekend – a day to celebrate linguistic diversity and champion the benefits of learning a language – it’s a good opportunity to explore what the courses offer.
Designed to fit around your life, the courses are entirely online, requiring just 3-4 hours of study a week. Over 16 weeks, you’ll learn to hold conversations on everyday topics in your chosen language and develop a better understanding of the countries where these languages are spoken. A learning advisor will be on hand for guidance and advice, as well as access to a forum of fellow students who will be studying the same course. Starting at the end of next month, final registration dates for the first run of the 16-week courses is Thursday 22 October.
Part of the Language School’s Open Centre for Languages and Cultures – your one stop shop for communication in an interconnected world – the beginner language courses are the first collection by the centre, with a diverse range of other courses to follow in the next 18 months. Courses to come include:
- French, German, Spanish, Italian and Chinese at Elementary and Intermediate levels
- Intercultural Communication in business settings (enhancing effective communication and productivity in multicultural teams)
- Artificial Intelligence and communication in the workplace
- British Sign Language (ensuring equality and student inclusion across the nations and the OU curriculum)
- Pre-sessional online English for overseas students
Dr Mirjam Hauck, Associate Head for Internationalisation and Open Centre Director, said,
“The beginners language courses teach relevant and practical skills, whether learning as a leisure activity or to support your career. Language and communication are key to everything we do, and as we move into a post-Brexit, post-pandemic world, these skills will continue to be critical and invaluable to our lives.”
Find out more
To register interest in one of the courses mentioned, please visit: http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/language-short-courses
*The beginner language short courses cost £199 for a 16-week course.
