10 Free Online Language Courses with Certificates

Stepping into a new country to study, work, or expand your business, it is expected that you must learn the language for accessible communication.

Children seem to learn new languages ​​quickly, but once you’re a little older, it becomes hard to learn a new language.

But even if you decide to learn, it is always very expensive. So what you should try in such a situation is to go for free online language courses, especially the ones that will offer you certificates.

There are many expensive language courses, from complete college or university courses to a specific language website.

In the same manner, some excellent options range from beginner and intro-level courses to conversation courses and comprehensive courses that will allow you to speak the language of your choice fluently. 

Being fluent, or even getting to master a language enough to carry on a conversation, can be of great help if you plan to expand your business to a new market or seek employment in another country. Some languages ​​can even help you do better business, even at home.

Before you spend a ton of money on a language learning system, check out these places where you can learn a new language online for free. Comprising free online foreign language courses and free online English language courses with certificates.

The table of content below will give you an overview and help you to navigate this article easily, so you can start exploring.

Why Use Online Language Courses

Learning a second language has been beneficial in today’s international business environment, where trade is increasingly conducted across borders.

Just being able to speak a second language at a decent level can increase your prospects for employment and education globally.

Similarly, traveling abroad has never been easier or cheaper than it is today, and learning a second language can improve the quality of your travels.

Communicating with the locals can increase the number of experiences available and even unlock the possibility of moving to another country permanently.

Whatever your exact motivation for learning a new language, it is essential to learn the right way.

Choosing the wrong method can result in a poor learning experience, slow progress, and gaps in knowledge while selecting the proper method will result in comprehensive education.

At the World Scholarship Forum, we believe that the best way to learn a new language is with the help of qualified language teachers with native skills.

We also believe that it is vital for language learners to have the opportunity to practice their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, all in a supportive environment.

Read this: 10 Free Language Learning Apps in 2024 | Best Learning Apps

Online vs. Offline Language Courses

When it comes to acquiring a language using the method described above, students have two main options: traditional language courses or online language courses.

While both methods have their strengths and both are capable of producing results, we believe that the best education is now available online.

In the past, traditional language lessons, taught in a traditional classroom, were considered the “must” option, and for good reason.

These courses allow students to learn from qualified teachers, practice different aspects of the language, and learn alongside other students with similar skill levels.

Higher quality online language courses, such as those offered by Lingoda, now offer all of these benefits.

These courses are taught by qualified teachers, allow students to practice all elements of the language, and also offer a virtual classroom experience that recreates the main advantages of reality.

While computing methods previously had limitations, preventing them from going beyond traditional classroom experience, this is no longer the case.

For example, online video calling technology now means that face-to-face conversations are reliable and simple. Thereby allowing you to accurately assess things like pronunciation.

In fact, our online language courses also offer a multitude of benefits that traditional classroom courses do not. Smaller classrooms mean that each student can get more individual attention, and the ability to learn from home makes this a viable option for almost everyone, regardless of their personal circumstances.

Read this: 10 Free Online Language Courses with Certificates in 2024

What are the Benefits of Studying Language Courses Online?

In the world now, where mobility is facilitated, learning a language is a wonderful advantage. This not only helps when traveling but is also a great advantage for studying in general and for career prospects abroad.

Acquiring a second language allows you to develop various mental abilities of all ages. So are some of the benefits you stand to gain when you study a foreign language online for free, especially those with certificates.

Go at Your Own Pace

With an online course, you can work at your own pace without pressure or demands on your schedule that you cannot meet. Better, in my experience, to learn more slowly than to be in a hurry and under pressure.

Boosts Brain Power

A foreign language is a completely new and complex system of rules, structures, and lexis. Learning a new language means that your brain has to deal with complexity as it understands and absorbs new patterns.

As our brains develop meaning, and trying to communicate, we also develop key learning skills like cognitive thinking and problem-solving. Highly developed critical thinking skills are a significant advantage both personally and professionally.

Accessibility

Because they run on computer programs, you can access foreign language courses online at any time.

This means that you can perfect your Spanish during lunch, learn French before running in the morning, or practice German late at night without the limitations of a rigorous schedule.

Online courses also offer mobile solutions on the go, allowing you to take courses from anywhere, according to your schedule, without having to travel.

New Learning Methods

Online courses offer a “get out with the old, get in with the new” approach to learning a foreign language.

Mastering a new language is not as simple as learning a new vocabulary. In fact, most of the time, this will require an extended period of study, patience, and time.

The good news is that many online courses offer a variety of lesson plans and multimedia tools for reading, writing, listening, and speaking a new language.

In this environment, a teacher is always present to foster growth and understanding of the language being taught. Most importantly, there are a number of available tools and resources that will help students learn and grow.

Enhances The Ability To Multi-Task

Multitasking is very stressful for those who are not used to it or who don’t do it well.

According to a study by Pennsylvania State University, multilingual people who can move from one language system to another practice this highly demanding job for the brain.

People who have developed the ability to think in different languages ​​and switch between them become much better at multitasking, which reduces stress levels.

And this is what the online language courses platform will offer you.

Increases Networking Skills

Openness to a culture allows you to be more flexible and appreciate the opinions and actions of others.

Therefore, if you are multilingual, you have the advantage of seeing the world from different angles, which improves your ability to communicate in today’s globally connected world.

Studying language online will help you learn as many languages as possible for easy communication during your business.

Provides Better Career Choices

According to the Eton Institute Language Development Survey in the Workforce (September 2014), 89% of our clients said multilingual employees add value to the workforce and 88% said recruiting Team Members’ Language skills are important to your organization.

Multilingual ability is certainly a competitive advantage in today’s world.

Language learning helps develop strong cognitive skills, such as better concept formation, mental flexibility, multitasking, listening, and problem-solving skills.

In addition to improving social interaction and fostering peer connection. So what will be your next language to study online?

Also, check this: 20 Profitable Benefits of Learning A Second Language

How Effective are Online Language Courses?

There was a time when having a pinch of French and consciously ordering a glass of wine could elevate someone to a mastery level within a few minutes of a vacation abroad.

But times have changed, and being able to communicate well in a foreign language is increasingly important for career prospects and personal development.

Although fluency in two or more languages ​​has become a requirement, finding time to attend classes is another story.

This is one of the reasons why more and more future linguists are flocking to online language courses.

Duolingo, a free service, has gained more than 170 million users in the last five years. Irish is also in its top 10 most popular languages.

Designed to look like a game, it is the world’s most downloaded educational app. Its dazzling success seems to be due to its simplicity and ease of use.

“It is free to learn and because the lessons can generally be completed in 10-15 minutes, it is easy for people to adjust to one or two lessons throughout the day.”

In fact, I will advise you to take those free online foreign language courses that will offer you certificates at the end.

Check this: 15 Easiest Languages To Learn For English Speakers

What to Expect in an Online Foreign Language Course

Here are what to expect when you finally decide to take a language course online.

Language learning activities

The teacher will sometimes ask you to participate in role-plays, dialogues, and similar activities so that you are used to communicating in the language. Practicing “real situations” in the classroom is one way of making language as real as possible.

It is also important in such situations to varying the speakers of the class. In this way, you have experience with a variety of different people with different capacities for expression … and you know everyone!

Correction of Mistakes

Many students are reluctant to speak for fear of making mistakes. It is much better to talk a lot, mistakes and everything, than to pronounce the sentence strangely and grammatically correct.

In other words, develop a ‘come and go’ attitude and try not to be ashamed of doing it mistakes – it’s part of the process!

You want your teacher to make sure that your output (oral or written) is correct, and therefore a correction is important. However, in speaking activities, it is not possible for the teacher to deal with every mistake made by every student.

Therefore he/she will probably choose to mainly correct the most serious mistakes (the ones that hinder communication) – sometimes immediately, and sometimes soon after.

If your teacher has not corrected it, ask him to do so. They may not be able to do this from time to time, but it is important to make sure that what you have written or said is correct.

Homework

Homework is a very important part of your language learning experience as it allows you to review and practice what you learn. Thereby helping to keep it fresh from one lesson to another.

Different teachers give different types of homework. Sometimes written homework you do to cover things that would otherwise take valuable communication time in the platform, or sometimes to develop what you did in class.

In general, homework covers the “individual learning” aspects of the course, and you should do as much as you can each week, and even be proactive in doing extra work.

The pace of the class

The rhythm depends on the balance of two things. First, the presentation of new material and, on the other hand, the time spent practicing and perfecting it.

Also, the teacher will spend as much time as necessary in each new language. But it is important to remember that you must not be absolutely perfect in one area before moving on to another.

On the other hand, a good fast pace does not necessarily mean that learning is effective. You may not have enough time to internalize the lesson, which means you will forget a lot.

The goal is to become proficient in communication without slowing down the process by focusing on the smallest details or going too fast and therefore not remembering anything.

Balancing of activities

There must be a good balance between the contribution of the teachers and the practice of the students. Some sessions require more teacher feedback and other opportunities for best practice.

No use of English in the classroom

Sometimes it can be difficult to convince new students of the need to resist speaking English in class and accept that the teacher will speak mainly, or only, in the language, they are learning.

Read this: Best Way To Learn And Master A Foreign Language

How Long Does it Take to Learn a Language?

Language overwhelmingly depends on three factors: the student’s attitude, the time the student spends with the language, and the student’s attention to the language.

So, since this is the case, if we assume a positive attitude and reasonable and increasing attention to the language on the part of the student, how long does it take to learn a language?

According to FSI, the US Foreign Service Institute has divided languages ​​into groups of difficulty for English speakers:

• Group 1: French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili
• 2: Bulgarian, Burmese, Greek, Hindi, Persian, Urdu
• 3: Amharic, Cambodian, Czech, Finnish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Lao, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese
• 4: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean

FSI research indicates that 480 hours are required to achieve basic proficiency in Group 1 languages ​​and 720 hours for Group 2-4 languages.

If you can spend 10 hours a day learning a language, then basic mastery of easy languages ​​should take 48 days, and for difficult languages ​​72 days.

Taking into account days off, this amounts to two or three months. If it only takes five hours a day, it will take twice as long. But most of you don’t have 10 hours a day to spend, so it will take longer.

Also, if we don’t have 10 hours a day, it’s better to focus on activities that we enjoy making them easy to organize, like listening and reading, using a system like LingQ, for example. But let’s take a look at what a 10-hour study day might look like.

Read this: 15 Hardest Languages To Learn For English Speakers

What are the Methods of Teaching Foreign Language Online Course

If you have made the decision to take a foreign language online course, here are the basic methods your instructor will take to teach you. Knowing these methods will enhance your ability to get acquainted with the language very fast.

So we advise you to pay attention to every detail of the different methods of teaching a foreign language online courses. And the methods are as follows:

• Grammar Translation Method
• Audio-lingual Approach
• Immersion Approach
• Communicative Approach
• Reading Method

Grammar Translation Method

If you have ever studied Latin, then you must have used the grammar-translation method. have you translated sentences and later paragraphs from one language to Latin.

People now ask, “How might a grammar-translation online classroom be set up? It simple. This is the way it works.

The teacher gives the students a brief passage in the target language. then they provide new vocabulary and give the student time to try to translate the passage.

The teacher then later explains to you where you got it all right.

Audio-lingual Approach

The theory behind language audio is that learning a language requires learning habits. Repetition is the mother of all learning. This methodology emphasizes drilling work so that answers to questions are instinctive and automatic.

New forms are first heard by students, written forms only come after exhaustive drilling. The language used for these exercises is based on what is required to practice the specific form; It may or may not be natural.

Immersion Approach

Full immersion is difficult to achieve in a foreign language class unless you teach this foreign language in the country where the language is spoken. And your students study all subjects in the target language.

It would mean that his students really immersed themselves in the language and culture for twenty-four hours a day.

For example, ESL students have immersion experience if they study in an English-speaking country. In addition to studying English, they work or study other subjects in English for a complete experience.

Attempts at this methodology can be seen in foreign language immersion schools, which are becoming popular in certain school districts in the United States, and in bilingual educational institutions.

Communicative Approach

The communicative approach is the most widely used and widely accepted approach to teaching foreign languages ​​in today’s online platform. And in many ways, it is the culmination of those approaches and methodologies that have appeared before.

It emphasizes the student’s ability to communicate various functions, such as asking and answering questions, making requests, describing, counting, and comparing.

Homework assignments and problem-solving, two key elements of critical thinking, are the means by which the communicative approach works.

Reading Method

Sometimes graduate students or researchers will only have to learn to read academic articles in one language. So they learn through the reading method, where enough grammar is taught to do so.

Students do not work on listening or listening comprehension; rather, they focus on building a large group of specialized vocabulary.

Best Languages To Learn For Success In Your Study Abroad School

What Are the Best Sources for Online Language Courses?

Indeed social media and smartphone apps have brought us closer to the world and its ideas in most of the thousands of languages ​​we speak around the world. Now, the World Wide Web has become small enough to fit in our pockets, with Android and iOS.

And that’s great because it means that the benefits of learning a new language no longer have to come at a high price or a price tag!

You can Google your heart until the endless trial and error tires you, or you can start by visiting these free language learning websites, some of the best gifts on the web.

So here are some of the places where you can source free online Foreign and English language courses that will offer you certificates after studying in 2024.

Websites for Finding Free Online Language Courses

For those who are looking for all the structure and formality of a traditional course, but are not sure about going back to class or paying these fees.

You can check out some of these free online language courses with certificates, available in almost as many languages ​​as there are learners.

They include:

• Live Lingua
• LearnaLanguage.com
• FluentU

Live Lingua

According to the site itself, at the top of the list is Live Lingua, the Internet’s largest collection of free public domain language learning materials.

It is not hard to believe. Thousands of free e-books, audio recordings, and video material in foreign languages ​​are available in more than 130 different languages.

It is also one of the most user-friendly websites hosting the public domain language courses of the US Institute of Foreign Service. Developed by the US Department of State for language learning. Experts are now available for free on various websites.

LearnaLanguage.com

Learnalanguage.com is a website with links to comprehensive resources in 19 different languages.

You can learn more than 1,400 words for free in your target language with their vocabulary lists and verb conjugation tables. Above all, there is much more free learning in the nine languages ​​in which they maintain their own courses on the web.

FluentU

FluentU is a completely different world of language learning.

Getting started with the free trial will give you an invaluable learning boost. Here you will get unlimited video content then you would pay hourly for lessons with even the most affordable tutors.

Also Read: 20 Free Online Education Courses With Certificates 2024

Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for Free Language Learning

Did we mention that we think the technology is great? Many of the best universities in the world agree with them. That is why many of them make teaching materials and university courses available online for free.

These are some of the best massively open online courses for learning a language free which will offer you a certificate at the end.

• MIT Open Courseware
• EdX
• Coursera Language Learning
• Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative
• Alison

#1. MIT Open Courseware

MIT was one of the college hipsters who made their course content available online before it was great.

In the amazing Global Studies and Languages ​​section of your Open Courseware website, you will find courses ranging from Chinese II to contemporary French politics.

And they are all designed to help you participate not only with the language you are studying but also with its more cultural context.

#2. EdX

EdX is one of the largest MOOC (massive open online course) websites. You can find many university-level courses here, created and taught by real professors from the best universities.

As a language student, you may consider taking a dedicated language course or, if you are more advanced, taking a course in your target language. For example, you can now sign up to take an algebra course entirely in French!

Actually, you can earn college credit at EdX, through Arizona State University. Some of the courses have certificates that you can earn to complete.

In general, getting a verified certificate to complete a course costs money (so be sure to check the details before registering). But most of the courses themselves are always free.

#3. Coursera Language Learning

The courses offered at Coursera are taught by professors from world-renowned institutions, and it is even possible to earn a certificate in many courses.

At Coursera, there are currently 122 classes taught in Chinese, the second most common language after English, and a long list of other languages ​​is followed.

Spanish has 79 classes. French has 41 classes. You got the idea. There are many courses to try.

Check this out: 10 Best Tools For Learning Japanese in 2024

#4. Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative

The Carnegie Mellon OLI is not specially designed for language courses, but several excellent ones are offered.

From Spanish and Elementary French to “Arabic for Global Exchange,” you will find frequent courses available in the world’s most important and learned languages.

#5. Alison

Each of the eight languages ​​offered on Alison’s language learning platform includes at least one introductory course. And others include more advanced and detailed courses in popular languages ​​such as French.

Even better, if you complete all the modules and earn at least 80% on all of your language coursework, you will be rewarded with a fantasy certificate for free!

Best Online Tools to Learn a Language

Here are the best online tools that you can use for free while taking your Foreign and English language courses online. It’s even best when you will end up getting a certificate at the end.

• Duolingo
• Memrise
• Rosetta Stone
• Babbel
• Pimsleur
• Langroo

#1. Duolingo

The free app and website are among the most effective language learning methods. It sounds like a computer game with lessons coming in the form of short challenges.

Such as speaking, translating, answering multiple-choice questions, and rewarding good performance.

The more lessons you complete, the more you will progress. The app is especially useful if you are on the go.

#2. Memrise

Memrise offers you a more practical option for learning memory cards with your “mems”.

You can use the maps provided by Memrise and other users, or you can create your own mnemonic devices by composing and searching for images for your own maps.

In a way, repetition doesn’t seem so repetitive when you can turn all your memory cards into irreverent memes and personal jokes designed for you and your own brain.

#3. Rosetta Stone

One of the most popular paid language learning programs online, it offers dozens of languages ​​and offers optional electronic tutoring sessions with real instructors.

Track your progress and repeat important ideas at key intervals to keep them fresh in your mind. However, it is not cheap. It costs €159 for a 12-month subscription or €106 for six months.

Explore more: 10 Best French Learning Apps in 2024 | Best Learning Apps

#4. Babbel

One of the lesser-known online options, it groups lessons into 15-minute segments that can fit on a busy day. You can also learn the vocabulary that concerns you, with courses ranging from business to travel.

It is relatively inexpensive, with costs ranging from €4.50 per month to €9, depending on the subscription package.

#6. Pimsleur

It is an audio learning tool that you can download. It focuses on speech and sound exercises and recalls the old recordings and books that were popular in the 1980s.

Basically, it is based on the principles of Paul Pimsleur, a scholar in the field of applied linguistics. It’s also a bit pricey, with a 30-lesson course costing around $133.

#7. Langroo

Language learning for the Facebook generation. Connect students with a native tutor on the social network. After an initial consultation, it promises tailored programs. Costs start at € 16 per week.

Universities That Offer Free Online Language Courses?

The world’s best universities offer free online college courses including lecture recordings and interactive courses with homework and final projects.

These kinds of learning opportunities can be a great way for job seekers to improve their skills.

As well as gain valuable knowledge, and improve their chances of advancing their careers.

Many of these universities offer free language courses through a MOOC platforms, such as Coursera, edX, and Udemy. Take a look at the top seven universities that offer free online Foreign and English language courses with certificates.

Here is a comprehensive list of universities that offer free online Foreign and English language courses with certificates:

• Carnegie Mellon University
• Duke University
• Harvard University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Stanford University
• The University of California, Berkeley
• Yale University
• The Open University
• University of Michigan
• University of Notre Dame

Read this: 17 Best Online Chinese Classes For Beginners & Advance | 2024

What are the Best Free Online Language Courses?

These free Online Foreign language Courses will offer you a certificate at the end.

• Beginners’ Chinese

Speak English Professionally: In-Person, Online & On the PhoneIntermediate Spanish: A trip across Latin America

• Intermediate German: The world of work English in Early Childhood: Language Learning and Development

• TESOL Strategies: Supporting ESL Students in Mainstream Classrooms

• Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching

Understanding key concepts in the effective teaching and learning of languages the first Step is Korean

• Étudier en France: French Intermediate course B1-B2

Free Online Foreign Language Courses with Certificates

Understand key concepts in the effective teaching and learning of languages

This free online course offers some answers to these questions. It was developed by the University of Southampton and the British Council and is based on their exciting joint online MA course in English Language Teaching.

The course takes place over five weeks. It will introduce you to some of the latest research and practice ideas in language learning and teaching.

Beginners’ Chinese

Discover Mandarin Chinese as a communication tool and discover Chinese society and culture. This free course, Chinese for Beginners, offers a brief introduction to the Chinese language, its scripts and sounds, and word training.

Above all, this OpenLearn course will be easily accessible for those who have a basic knowledge of Chinese.

Intermediate Spanish: A trip across Latin America

In this free course, students will basically embark on a journey out of the ordinary, to see the natural wonders of Latin America and some of its people.

Intermediate Spanish: A trip through Latin America invites you to discover how the people of South and Central America have adapted to the different environments that have created the conditions in which they live.

You will be able to listen to and read the personal stories of locals and visitors and improve your language skills by practicing the expression of uncertainty, opinions, and concerns in Spanish.

Intermediate German: The world of work

This free, intermediate German: the world of work course focuses on developing cultural knowledge and practical language skills to listen, speak, read, write, and interact in various situations.

The course will interest anyone who wants to improve their language skills to communicate more easily and effectively in German. It focuses on discussion and reflection on work and the evolution of professional life in the future.

First Step Korean

This is an elementary-level Korean course, which consists of 5 lessons with 4 units and covers 4 skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

The main themes include basic expressions used in everyday life, such as greetings, introducing yourself, talking about your family and everyday life, etc. Each lesson covers dialogues, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, quizzes, and role-plays.

Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching

Dyslexia affects 10 to 15% of the population. Dyslexic students are often exempt from studying additional languages ​​or are less successful in foreign language courses.

This free online course is designed for current teachers and additional language learners. It offers you practical tools, as well as theoretical information, to better meet and respond to the needs of dyslexic students in foreign or second language courses.

Study in France: French Intermediate course B1-B2

Study in France: French Intermediate course B1-B2

This intermediate-level B1 / B2 French course is in accordance with the requirements of the European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Basically, it is part of the dual system of “training with digital” and “language and interculturality” implemented by the University of Paris Saclay.

It is intended for all students wishing to continue their higher education in France.

Check this out: 17 Best Online Chinese Classes For Beginners & Advance | 2024

Free Online English Language Courses with Certificates

English in Early Childhood: Language Learning and Development

In this online course, you will learn how and why children learn best through play. What can parents and professionals do to help children make the most of a learning experience?

This course for parents and professionals will explore how young children learn English and explore many other aspects of early childhood learning and development.

TESOL Strategies: Supporting ESL Students in Mainstream Classrooms

This course is designed for teachers of all skill levels, working with language learners throughout the program.

This course will give you a new insight into the different aspects of language, the language learning process, and the requirements of the different areas of the curriculum. It will allow you to enrich your daily practice to ensure that the needs of language learners are met.

Speak English Professionally: In-Person, Online & On the Phone

Do you want to speak better English? This course will help you achieve this goal. Speak English professionally: in person, online, and by phone, you will improve your English skills. In this 5-week course, you will learn to identify and make a strong personal presentation.

They will develop and demonstrate oral expression skills for group discussions: how to agree or disagree, how to clarify, reformulate, and summarize.

FAQs

Conclusion

Just in case you are among those that wonder if it is possible to study Foreign and English Language online for free and have with you certified certificates from it. You can leverage these free online language courses with certificates.

In fact, today it is possible to learn most things online as long as you have the discipline and determination to achieve something with unwavering focus.

Before you spend a ton of money on a language learning system, check out these places where you can learn a new language online for free. Comprising both free online foreign language courses and free online English language courses with certificates.

References

• lingoda.com – Are Online Language Courses Important?
• Coursera.org – Top Certificate courses
• irishtimes.com – Can you learn a foreign language online?
• etoninstitute.com – TOP 10 BENEFITS OF LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
• blog.thelinguist.com – How Long Should it Take to Learn a Language?
• elearningindustry.com – 5 Essential Benefits of Learning Foreign Languages
• Online cactusworldwide.com – Foreign language courses – what to expect from your classes
• fluentu.com – The Key Foreign Language Teaching Methodologies and How to Choose the Best for You

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