7 Free Online Courses in November

November is my favourite month – I love long, rainy evenings, my cats demotivating me early in the morning, hot tea and general slowing down – as if we’re all getting ready to summarize the whole year, ready for New Year resolutions… or simply falling asleep. I know most people feel rather sad in November, but I believe there’s nothing better to cheer you up like a nice online course. You can enjoy it at home, listening to raindrops or favourite music…

And if we’re all supposed to die, we may as well die educated, right?

Teaching EFL/ESL Reading: A Task Based Approach by University of London International Programmes and UCL Institute of Education

Start: 29 October

Duration: 6 weeks

For whom: teachers who are tired with PPP model 🙂

Task Based Language Teaching (TBLT) uses communicative tasks as the key unit for creating language learning activities – if you’re tired with the old Presentation-Practice-Production style, that’s the course for you! You will not only explore the concept of TBLT and reading, but also work on creating your own reading tasks. Sounds great for long evenings!

Communication Skills for University Success by the University of Sydney

Start: 29 October

Duration: 6 weeks

For whom: people who want to study at an English-speaking university

If you prepare students for further education at an English-speaking university, this course may be a great idea both for you and for them. You will explore communication in academic culture, various assignments and approaches to presentations etc. Your students may appreciate this course, but it may be a nice tool for you to introduce various argumentative devices in your classroom.

Learning to Teach Online by University of New South Wales

Start: 5 November

Duration: 5 weeks

For whom: people who want start teaching online

Technology is probably the most important factor responsible for changes in education. As my favourite phrase goes “students don’t need classrooms anymore, they can learn anytime, anyplace and with various people”. The important thing about online environment in the classroom is how to use it as a tool, not as a goal. This course will help you reflect on how to use technology responsibly in the classroom.

The Teacher’s Social and Emotional Learning by University of Colorado Boulder

Start: 5 November

Duration: 5 weeks

For whom: all the teachers

We all need help and understanding – teaching takes its emotional toll and SEL (social and emotional learning) is something to help you diagnose your own issues and reflect on them. Most of us can’t rely on anyone’s help but their own, and I believe this course may be a great beginning of a new adventure.

Becoming Career Smart: How to Sell Yourself by Deakin University

Start: 5 November

Duration: 2 weeks

For whom: people who are considering a career change

The profession of a teacher isn’t always the one recognised as the important one – this may cause some issues when you think of changing your work. This course will help develop your capacity to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and increase your knowledge of credentials (the skills and capabilities you have built during your life and career). Even if you still decide to work as a teacher – you’ll know your great points!

Start Writing Fiction by the Open University

Start: now

Duration: 8 weeks

For whom: those who want to do something during long winter evenings

Have you ever thought of becoming a writer? Well, you may try writing a new Harry Potter this winter! This course is recommended for students aged 16+ as the participation in this course involves reviewing work posted by other learners.

The Book of Kells: Exploring an Irish Medieval Masterpiece by the Trinity College, Dublin

Start: now

Duration: 4 weeks

For whom: people interested in Ireland or medieval history

The Book of Kells manuscript, which you can see at Trinity College Dublin is one of the most famous things to see in Ireland. On this course you will use the Book of Kells as a window through which to explore the landscape, history, faith, theology, and politics of early medieval Ireland. It may be a great beginning of a winter storytelling contest in your classroom!

Long November evenings seem perfect for online courses. I hope you’ll have fun with anything you choose.

Enjoy!