The OPEN Program offers free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which are open to an unlimited number of participants. Some MOOCs are 5 weeks, and some are longer. Please carefully read the course description for each. Each MOOC is preceded by an optional orientation module. Click the blue enrollment links below for more information about each course, and to enroll.
Integrating Critical Thinking Skills into the Exploration of Culture in an EFL Setting (Self-Paced)
This course is designed by World Learning. The exploration of culture in an EFL setting requires helping students engage in authentic situations to develop the ability to navigate across a variety of cultures. This intercultural ability requires language choices and awareness of oneself as a cultural being. It also requires critical thinking skills, which are themselves partially culturally defined. This MOOC presents participants with a working definition of culture and tools for analyzing, understanding, and negotiating differences between cultures. Participants explore what critical thinking is and why it is necessary for the development of intercultural competence. With a view toward preparing teachers to implement culture and critical thinking lessons into their current teaching contexts, participants of this MOOC will explore activities for teaching and evaluating culture and critical thinking. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
Enrollment Opens: January 9, 2023
Course Starts: January 9, 2023
Enrollment Closes: March 27, 2023
Course End Date: April 3, 2023
Please come back Monday, April 3, 2023, (12:01 am Eastern Time) to enroll in one of the following courses:
English for Career Development (Self-Paced)
English for Career Development a five-module, self-paced MOOC. This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in advancing their careers in the global marketplace. In this course, you will learn about the job search, application, and interview process in the United States, while comparing and contrasting the same process in your home country. This course will also give you the opportunity to explore your global career path while building your vocabulary and improving your language skills to achieve your professional goals. In this course, you will review the job application process, learn strategies for identifying jobs that match your skills and interests, develop skills to produce a professional-looking resume and cover letter, and improve your networking and interview skills. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
Enrollment Opens: April 3, 2023
Course Starts: April 3, 2023
Enrollment Closes: June 20, 2023
Course End Date: June 26, 2023
English for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) (Self-Paced)
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their English skills in the sciences. In this course, you will explore some of the most innovative areas of scientific study while expanding your vocabulary and the language skills needed to share scientific information within your community. In Module 1, you will learn how to preview texts and practice some of the language used to make comparisons when talking about global warming and climate change. In Module 2, you will examine the chemistry of climate change and the language of cause and effect. In Module 3, you will learn about some of the impacts of Climate Change and the language used to describe these effects. In Module 4, you will learn reading strategies that can help you explore the science behind some new energy systems. In Module 5, you will investigate practical advances in nanotechnology that help slow down climate change, while developing your own research skills in English. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
Enrollment Opens: April 3, 2023
Course Starts: April 3, 2023
Enrollment Closes: June 20, 2023
Course End Date: June 26, 2023
English for Journalism (Self-Paced)
This course is designed for non-native English speakers interested in developing the skills needed for a career in modern journalism. In this course, you will explore print and digital media while expanding your vocabulary and increasing your ability to research and develop local and global news stories. Module One will provide an introduction to the history and principles of journalism. In Module Two, you will learn how to research, pitch, and interview. Module Three will focus on the language for writing newspaper and magazine articles. Module Four will cover the basics of broadcasting the news. Module Five will focus on the growth, impact, and challenges of the digital media age. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
Enrollment Opens: April 3, 2023
Course Starts: April 3, 2023
Enrollment Closes: June 20, 2023
Course End Date: June 26, 2023
English for Business and Entrepreneurship (Self-Paced)
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their language skills and knowledge of business and entrepreneurship at the same time. From identifying an opportunity to planning a persuasive pitch, this course will guide you step-by-step through the basic elements of starting up a new business. Through selected readings and video lectures, you will learn how to use market research to identify risks and opportunities. You will learn how to read and develop a business plan and how to find investors and financial support. Finally, you will learn strategies for making a pitch to present your business concept. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
Enrollment Opens: April 3, 2023
Course Starts: April 3, 2023
Enrollment Closes: June 20, 2023
Course End Date: June 26, 2023
English for Media Literacy (Self-Paced)
This course is designed for non-native English speakers who are interested in improving their language skills and knowledge of the media at the same time. In this course, participants will investigate how media has changed over time. They will explore the world of advertising and identify targeted marketing strategies, analyze sources, detect bias, and examine how diversity representation in media influences individual identity and society. This course provides the opportunity to develop a broader understanding of the role media plays in our lives while building the vocabulary and language skills needed to analyze what we read and watch. This is a self-paced course, which will be open for 12 weeks. Participants can complete coursework at any time during these 12 weeks. The course has 5 modules; each module will require approximately 3-5 hours of work.
Enrollment Opens: April 3, 2023
Course Starts: April 3, 2023
Enrollment Closes: June 20, 2023
Course End Date: June 26, 2023
Questions:
Have questions? Please e-mail [email protected].