Languages, Cultures and Communication short courses

Discover a new language, explore different cultures or learn more about the power of communication. They’re open to everyone, you can learn at your own pace, and our specialist Learning Advisers will support you along the way.

Choose from our range of flexible short courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, artificial intelligence and intercultural competence.

Open up your world with a short course

Our short courses in languages, cultures and communication are designed to fit around your life. They’re entirely online and flexible; you can study for as many hours as you like each day, week or month.

When you successfully complete one of our short courses, you'll receive a digital badge. This can be shared on social media, added to email signatures or act as a certificate.

A short course gives you the perfect opportunity to learn the language you've always wanted to speak, develop a better understanding of the countries where these languages are spoken, or enhance your communication skills which learning at your own pace.

Our languages short courses also follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This way you can confidently choose the right course for your level of knowledge; from absolute beginner (A1) all the way to being practically fluent (C2) – discover your starting point on the CEFR Global Scale to get started.

Already an OU student? Contact us to register today.

Benefits of short courses

Flexible study
Suitable for beginners
No exams
Earn a digital badge

Arabic

Introduction to Arabic language and culture

Learn to speak, read, write, and understand basic Arabic language and culture.

Beginners' Arabic language and culture

Master basic Arabic language skills and cultural knowledge for everyday communication and professional growth.

Chinese

Beginners Chinese 1:
开始吧 kāishĭ ba!

Start learning Mandarin Chinese on our course that’s perfect for beginners (CEFR level A1).

Backpacker walking the Great Wall of China

Beginners Chinese 2:
开始吧 kāishĭ ba!

Expand your basic Chinese vocabulary in topics like food and leisure activities (CEFR level A1).

Cyclist riding past traditional Chinese building

Beginners Chinese 3:
开始吧 kāishĭ ba!

Ideal for those with a grasp of beginners’ Chinese to improve their language skills (CEFR level A1).

Skyscrapers in business district in China

Chinese business
culture essentials

Build positive, long-term business relationships using knowledge of Chinese culture and values.

Elementary Chinese 1:
入门了 rùmén le!

Step up your basic knowledge of Chinese with an elementary level course (CEFR level A1).

Mixed group of friends eating Chinese street food

Elementary Chinese 2:
入门了 rùmén le!

Take your Chinese up a level with our second elementary course (CEFR level A2).

Close up of a older person handing a red envelope to a child

Elementary Chinese 3:
入门了 rùmén le!

Develop your Mandarin vocabulary, including apologising and giving presents (CEFR level A2).

French

Beginners French 1:
eh oui!

Kick-start your learning journey with this introduction to French, designed for beginners (CEFR level A1).

Beginners French 2:
bien sûr!

Continue to build your French skills for communicating in everyday situations (CEFR level A1).

Beginners French 3:
absolument!

Enhance your knowledge of French to prepare for further language study (CEFR level A2).

Elementary French 1:
allons-y!

Take your French to the next level on this new elementary course (CEFR level A2).

young black woman looks out across the Seine

Elementary French 2:
en avant!

Explore exciting new subjects in our second elementary French course (CEFR level B1).

Group of mature women doing Yoga outdoors in France together while on a wellness vacation. They are all standing holding their mats ready to get started

Elementary French 3:
vous y êtes!

Learn to talk about your health and use past, present and future tenses (CEFR level B1).

German

Beginners German 1:
fang an!

It's time to say 'ja' to learning one of Europe's most widely used languages (CEFR level A1).

Beginners German 2:
mit Vergnügen!

Study new topics like food, seasons, dates and time, to build up your vocabulary (CEFR level A1).

Beginners German 3:
richtig so!

Further your knowledge of German by learning to give your opinion on different topics (CEFR level A2).

Three young women dressed in traditional German outfits for Oktoberfest

Elementary German 1:
sprechen und verstehen

Build on your basic German vocabulary with this elementary level course (CEFR level A2).

Three young people taking selfie in front of skyscrapers

Elementary German 2:
sprich weiter!

Take on more complex conversations with an elementary 2 level course (CEFR level B1).

Elementary German 3:
weiter geht’s

Hone your German language skills with our third and final elementary level short course (CEFR level B1).

Italian

Two women looking at the Coliseum in Rome

Beginners Italian 1:
primi passi

A perfect 'aperitivo'; learn Italian starting with simple topics such as reading menus (CEFR level A1).

Beginners Italian 2:
in cammino

Build on your study and learn to talk about time, work, transport, and holidays in Italian (CEFR level A1).

Beginners Italian 3:
stai andando bene!

Delve further into Italian language and culture by exploring geography, food and festivals (CEFR level A2).

Elementary Italian 1:
in campo!

Step up your progress in Italian with new vocabulary and key expressions (CEFR level A2).

Two women stroll down Italian street with takeaway coffee cups in hand

Elementary Italian 2:
avanti tutta!

Develop your Italian skills including talking about the past and childhood (CEFR level B1).

A middle-aged man sits on a sofa using a tablet

Elementary Italian 3:
all’opera!

Explore more complex topics, including social media and Italian migration (CEFR level B1).

Spanish

Beginners Spanish 1:
¡Empezamos!

Discover one of the world's most widely spoken languages with this introductory course (CEFR level A1).

Beginners Spanish 2:
¡En marcha!

Learn to talk about time, your daily and weekly routine, work, interests and hobbies (CEFR level A1).

Beginners Spanish 3:
¡Adelante!

Begin conversing in this popular language using new topics to build your vocabulary (CEFR level A2).

Elementary Spanish 1:
¡en camino!

Build on your beginners Spanish with new topics including sport and grammar (CEFR level A2).

Three young women smiling and dancing on rooftop

Elementary Spanish 2:
¡vamos a seguir!

Step up your Spanish skills with new topics, situations and phrases (CEFR level B1).

Festival decorations hang across Spanish street

Elementary Spanish 3:
¡muy bien!

Develop your Spanish further, including learning to use the past tense (CEFR level B1).

Cinema in the Spanish-speaking world

Discover the cultural impact of the cinematic landscapes of Spain, Argentina, and Chile.