10 Language Lessons
We’ve curated a diverse selection of online language lessons that can help you learn a new language anytime and anywhere. These courses, which include English, Spanish, Mandarin, and ASL lessons, will discuss fundamental vocabulary, grammatical structures, and conversational skills within a personal growth or professional context.
1. English for Freelancers: Getting Started
Hosted on EdApp, the English for Freelancers: Getting Started course was developed by The British Council and Gaza Sky Geeks to help freelancers hone their English skills before they start working in the international market. Through this language lesson, aspiring freelancers will be able to learn about the pros and cons of freelancing and the different vocabulary used in this line of work.
The 12-part course will help you learn how to build a CV, get started on Upwork, create tailored proposals, and talk about your experience to potential clients. In between the lessons, you can also do practice exercises to apply what you’ve learned so far.
Since EdApp uses a gamification approach in its lessons, you’ll be sure to enjoy a fun, game-like language lesson that’s accessible from any device. Since this course is freely available online, you can learn the topics at your own pace. This means that you can brush up on your English skills during your lunch breaks or during your commute to and from work.
- Cost: Free
- Certification: Available (non-accredited/ proof of learning only)
- Scope: Vocabulary related to freelancing, how to talk about your experience, writing a CV, getting started on Upwork, online freelance marketplace, how to write a tailored proposal, working internationally
Created by EdApp
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2. English for Freelancers: Communication Skills I
Another EdApp language lesson on this list is English for Freelancers: Communication Skills I. It was developed by The British Council in partnership with Gaza Sky Geeks as a way to improve the communication, problem-solving, and negotiation skills of aspiring freelancers.
Divided into three modules, this online course delves into the proper language used in meetings and negotiations, including techniques for communicating problems and solutions. It also touches on different factors that make a good meeting and the proper ways to cut in politely during conversations.
Some English training tools, such as EdApp, use a microlearning design model to deliver training in short bursts. This way, you can finish the entire course in just minutes. Compared to other ways of learning a foreign language, this approach has been proven to embed knowledge into long-term memory.
- Cost: Free
- Certification: Available (non-accredited/ proof of learning only)
- Scope: Language for meetings, negotiating availability, deadlines, and pay, language for problems and solutions, second-language language course, spoken linguistics
Created by EdApp
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3. Level 1 - Online ASL Course
If you’re interested in learning about American Sign Language (ASL), then this beginner language lesson by Sign Language 101 is for you. This 10-part course first takes you through the basics of ASL, including gestures and body language, common words, and everyday signs. The second part then discusses different ways to talk about hobbies, people, bodies, clothes, and time.
Once you’re more familiar with the common terms and phrases, you’ll then dive deeper into topics such as verbs, directions, and deaf culture. At the end of each lesson, you’ll also be given language tips, quizzes, and a final wrap-up to help you retain all the new information.
Similar to other sign language lessons, this course is delivered in a video format, so it’s very easy to follow along. You’ll be able to hit pause and rewind to any part of the lesson that you might have missed.
- Cost: 29.99 USD
- Certification: Available
- Scope: Facial expressions and body language, numbers, colors, ABCs, pronouns, everyday phrases, people, bodies, and clothes, verbs and direction, time and calendar, deaf culture
Created by Sign Language 101
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4. Basic Spanish 1: Getting Started
The Universitat Politècnica de València designed this introductory language lesson for anyone who wants to learn basic conversational Spanish as one of their first language lessons. Offered on edX for free, Basic Spanish 1: Getting Started discusses fundamental Spanish vocabulary, including the alphabet and numbers. It also teaches learners how to introduce themselves and describe their nationality, family, and interests.
A grammatical lesson wraps up the training program by touching on basic conjugation and the verb, to be. By the end of the online course, learners will be able to talk about themselves, ask basic questions, and conduct a short conversation in Spanish.
- Cost: Free (Optional upgrade)
- Certification: Available (Only with upgraded plans)
- Scope: Basic conversational skills, the alphabet and numbers, how to describe your nationality, your likes, and your family, using the verb to be; basic conjugation, fluent native-speaker proficiency, language acquisition immersion
Created by edX
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5. Business English: Networking
Hosted on Coursera, the Business English: Networking course is offered by the University of Washington as part of their 4-part Business English Specialization program. Its main goals are to help employees develop their networking skills and improve their communication skills in the workplace. This way, they’ll be able to learn English for business settings, introduce their business, write formal emails, and arrange meetings with confidence in their English skills.
Some of the lessons also discuss ways to socialize and present information in a discussion forum. Overall, this training program will take learners around 28 hours to complete. But keep in mind that the lessons are spread across four weeks to help them avoid information overload.
- Cost: Free
- Certification: Available
- Scope: Introduction to business English communication, introductions, emails, meeting arrangements on the telephone, different languages
Created by Coursera
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6. Getting Started with German 1
This language lesson will help you develop the foundations for learning German by introducing you to common words, phrases, and conversation starters. It also goes over the basic rules of German pronunciation and grammar so that you can understand and communicate clearly. By the end of this training program, you’ll be able to use German greetings, count from one to ten, pronounce different German-speaking countries, and introduce yourself in German.
Through Open University’s computer learning software, you can easily review and track your course progress. It also gives you access to quizzes and other relevant language-learning materials.
- Cost: Free
- Certification: Available (Statement of Participation only)
- Scope: Greetings, numbers 0-10, places in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, German pronunciation, introducing yourself in German
Created by The Open University
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7. First Step Korean
Offered by Yonsei University through Coursera, this language lesson is targeted at anyone who wants to learn beginner-level Korean. The first lesson introduces learners to the Korean alphabet or writing system, which is also known as “Hangeul”. Once you’re more familiar with the alphabet, this course then proceeds to discuss the different ways that you can introduce yourself, greet someone, and ask questions about nationalities, jobs, and other topics. Expressions about family, time, and dates will also be explained in detail at the end of the training program.
Apart from being available in English, the course also provides subtitles in other languages, including Arabic, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Italian.
- Cost: Free
- Certification: Available
- Scope: The Korean alphabet, greetings and introductions, family, time and date
Created by Coursera
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8. Everyday English 1
In the Open University’s Everyday English 1 course, you’ll learn the basics of speaking, reading, and writing in English. It kicks off by teaching you how to articulate words, how to adjust volume and speed when speaking, and how to respond appropriately in conversations. This course then discusses the purpose of reading text and the different ways of reading, including skimming, scanning, and in-depth reading. The last lesson is all about writing, grammar, and communicating effectively through written text like letters, emails, and articles.
You can download this course as a PDF, Word, Epub, or Kindle file for offline use. And the best part? The Open University gives a free Statement of Participation upon completion to motivate them to complete their language lessons.
- Cost: Free
- Certification: Available (Statement of Participation only)
- Scope: speaking and listening, reading, writing
Created by The Open University
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9. Mandarin Chinese Essentials
Before you proceed with intermediate language lessons in Mandarin Chinese, make sure you’ve got the fundamentals down with edX’s Mandarin Chinese Essentials course. edX developed this language instruction program to help you acquire basic Chinese knowledge and skills and ensure that you have a solid foundation to be a good speaker in a business setting.
The course tackles five essential characteristics of Mandarin Chinese, which include tones, pinyin, characters, grammar, and basic structures. You’ll also be able to memorize key phrases and practice conversations and dialogues through interactive videos.
It can take up to five weeks to finish the entire training course. If you want to get a certificate of completion or retake the course whenever you prefer, you’ll have to upgrade your free plan and pay for additional features.
- Cost: Free (Optional upgrade)
- Certification: Available (Only with upgraded plans)
- Scope: Tones, pinyin, Chinese characters, one character one syllable, one basic Chinese structure
Created by edX
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10. Speaking with Confidence
Being able to speak English with confidence can help you engage in meaningful discussions with others. If you’re interested in gaining more confidence in your own skills, EdApp’s Speaking with Confidence course is a great place to start.
This language lesson starts by discussing the Point/Position, Reason, Evidence/Example, and Point (PREP) methods, which can help you incorporate verbal and non-verbal communication cues. It then delves into the steps for holding better conversations, the importance of fluency in speaking, and the secrets to mastering these skills. Whether you want to learn French, English, Spanish, or any other language, being able to speak confidently will get you far.
As you go through the lessons, expect a series of short-form videos and audio narrations that are designed to help you follow along more easily. The course offers spaced repetition strategies and contains games and quizzes to help you retain key information.
- Cost: Free
- Certification: Available (non-accredited/ proof of learning only)
- Scope: PREP method, fluency in speaking, steps to holding better conversations, verbal and nonverbal communication
Created by EdApp
Explore the coursePick up and master languages with these language lessons
From basic Korean and Mandarin lessons to more intermediate English and German courses, the internet is ripe with language learning opportunities. And with more and more companies going global, picking up new languages will definitely come in handy. The advancement of elearning technologies has made online language lessons readily available for anyone. You can now learn from your home, in an office, or even on the road. All you need is your phone or computer, and you’re all set. If you want to take the plunge and learn a new language or sharpen your current language skills, you can choose from the wide variety of language lessons we’ve listed above.