7 Free Online Courses in May
Disclaimer: By “free” I mean the educational content, not the certificates.
I don’t know whether April showers have brought May flowers, but they have probably brought some busy schedules and limited budgets. Fortunately, I’ve found some new and exciting free online courses you may enjoy in May. This month I focused on short courses full of teaching tips, and one course you may easily include in the class with young adults: writing applications and being interviewed!
So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in!
1. Understanding Multilingual Children’s Language Development by the University of Reading
Start date: available now
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: anyone who supports multilingual children – teachers, speech and language therapists, and parents
You will learn:
- about the wide range of multilingual contexts children grow up in and how these contexts may affect their language and communication development
- how to evaluate the importance of input (the languages children hear or read) and the benefits of parents/carers speaking their own language to their child
- how to engage with the challenges of creating diverse, rich multilingual environments in schools
2. Introduction to the Learning Through Play Experience Tool by the LEGO Foundation
Start date: available now
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: anyone working with children who wants to explore the benefits of learning through play
You will learn:
- how children learn through play
- how to harness the power of play to build a world of play in your home, classroom, or community
- about the characteristics of playful experiences that leads to deeper learning and development
3. Exploring Instructional Leadership in Education by the British Council
Start date: available now
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: school leaders and aspiring leaders who want to expand their knowledge of teaching and learning
You will learn:
- about what it means to be an effective leader
- how to identify great teaching and learning in a team or across a school
- how instructional leadership techniques can motivate staff, engage students and transform teaching and learning
4. Understanding Depression and Low Mood in Young People by the University of Reading
Start date: available now, yet the educators leading the course will be joining the discussions, in the comments, between 17 Apr 2023 and 21 May 2023
Duration: 5 weeks
For whom: professionals who play a role in detecting mental health difficulties
You will learn:
- about the key signs and symptoms of adolescent depression and how it may present itself
- how depression differs from low mood and other ‘normal’ mood fluctuations in teenagers
- how patterns of behaviour and thinking can contribute to depression in teenagers and how these can be addressed in therapy
5. Mastering Classroom Management in English Language Teaching by the Language Fuel
Start date: available now
Duration: 4 weeks
For whom: English language teachers working at any level who want to boost their classroom management skills
You will learn:
- how to describe the techniques to maximise student talking time
- how to identify activities which will help you develop great group dynamics in your classroom
- how to improve the classroom environment and supportive atomosphere through regular classroom activities
6. Professional Resilience: Building Skills to Thrive at Work by Deakin University
Start date: available now
Duration: 2 weeks
For whom: people working in or aiming to work in high-pressure environments
You will learn:
- about the concept of resilience
- how to apply resilience frameworks to your professional career
- how to create your own personal resilience plan
7a. How to Succeed at: Interviews by the University of Sheffield
Start date: 15/05/2023
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: anyone applying for jobs or courses
You will learn:
- about what recruiters are looking for by researching an organisation or institution thoroughly, and identifying what skills and attributes recruiters might be looking for
- about what questions you may be asked at interview, and how to approach answering different types of interview questions
- how to develop an understanding of different types of interviews, from telephone and video interviews, to non-standard interviews, and how to tackle them
7b. How to Succeed at: Writing Applications by the University of Sheffield
Start date: 15/05/2023
Duration: 3 weeks
For whom: anyone applying for jobs or courses
You will learn:
- about the best practice techniques when applying for jobs, apprenticeships, placements and university courses, from preparing to apply, to writing CVs and completing application forms
- about what recruiters are looking for by analysing job adverts and researching employers and institutions, to find out how to adapt your offer to suit their requirements
- how to improve the way you promote yourself effectively through positive writing and a strong personal brand, creating an identity that looks impressive to a recruiter, whether that’s an employer or admissions tutor
I hope you’ll like the recommended courses and have fun while developing your skills and knowledge. Enjoy!
