Free Online Language Courses

Language is the spoken method people use to communicate. There are thousands of human languages that are spoken around the world, and the study of language theory is known as linguistics. Languages comprise vocabulary, which are the words used, and grammar and syntax, which are the rules governing how sentences and other grammatical structures are constructed. While most languages are spoken, some dead languages can only be found and studied in their written forms today.

Why Take Free Online Language Courses?

Online language courses can teach a specific language, such as French, Chinese, or Spanish, or can improve your skills in the English language. In many ways, online courses are a great way to learn the grammar and vocabulary of a language, though to become fluent in it you will need to practice that language with a native speaker, or you can spend a semester abroad at a foreign university. If you are already fluent in a language and would like to teach it, you can take an online language class in language education. You can also teach English as a second language (ESL) to students either at home or in many countries around the world. ESL courses train you in English grammar and syntax as well as teaching methods specific for either children or adults, and prepare you to take ESL exams such as the TESOL or the Cambridge ESOL.

Online courses in a specific language can teach you the rules of grammar of that language, its common vocabulary, and spelling and pronunciation, while those in ESL also focus on language teaching methods. Students taking an online language course will be able to answer questions such as:

  • What are the required courses I have to take before receiving an ESL teaching certificate?
  • What is the essential vocabulary I need to teach non-native English speakers?
  • What are the grammatical cases the language I am learning utilizes and what are the common exceptions?
  • What are the non-verbal methods of communication a speaker of the language I am studying would use, and how do they differ from American methods?
  • What are the differences between English and the language I am studying?

Find Free Online Language Courses

There are a lot of options for learning languages or preparing for ESL exams online, and we have compiled several online language resources for you below. These include videos with lectures, class materials such as online text files and tests, and relevant texts and worksheets for studying languages. These materials are free for you to take advantage of while studying a language online.

Subjects

Language (8)

Creole Language and CultureUniversity of Notre Dame

Open Courseware

Culture Studies, Creative Studies, Linguistics, Reading

Germany Today: Intensive Study of German Language and CultureMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Open Courseware

German, Language, Culture, Professionals

English as a Second Language (ESL) Podcast - Learn English Online

Podcast

English, Language, Secondary Language

Portuguese IIMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Open Courseware

Portuguese, Linguistics, Language

Chinese I (Regular)Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Open Courseware

Chinese, Mandarin, Language

Elementary Russian IUniversity of Saskatchewan

Open Courseware

Russian, Language, Vocabulary, Culture

Intermediate Japanese IMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Open Courseware

Language, Japanese

Japanese IMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Textbook

Language, Japanese