Free Online English Courses
- 16 courses
- 10 free
- 6 free to audit
- 2 with a free certificate
Sources: Harvard, Coursera, freeCodeCamp, UC Berkeley and more · Verified
Searches for free English courses come from different people: someone learning English as a second language, a fluent speaker who wants firmer grammar, and a student preparing for an academic writing task. Courses for language learners usually work through listening, speaking, reading and writing at a stated level, often labelled on the CEFR scale, and include pronunciation and everyday vocabulary. Courses for fluent speakers concentrate on grammar, punctuation, style and composition, and sometimes on literature. What "free" means varies. University courses on edX may be free to audit, with videos open but graded assignments and the certificate paid; Coursera has replaced most audit access with a first-module preview that this site does not treat as free.
Non-profit and company platforms offer self-paced courses free in full, sometimes selling an optional certificate. Cultural institutes and broadcasters publish free lessons with no credential at all. When reading a syllabus, look for a stated starting level, for speaking or writing practice rather than passive video, and for feedback of some kind, even automated. English suits new arrivals to an English-speaking country, professionals who write emails and reports in English, and anyone preparing for an English-medium course of study. The writing page on this site lists courses aimed specifically at composition and editing.
Our three picks
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| # | Course | Provider | Cost | Certificate | Level | Duration | Open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Approaching Shakespeare Approaching Shakespeare is Emma Smith's open lecture series from Oxford's Faculty of English Language and Literature. | Oxford | Free | NoneNo certificate | — | — | |
| 2 | Introduction to Theory of Literature Introduction to Theory of Literature is Paul Fry's Spring 2009 course ENGL 300, published on Open Yale Courses as 26… | Yale | Free | NoneNo certificate | — | — | |
| 3 | Dante in Translation Dante in Translation is Giuseppe Mazzotta's Fall 2008 course ITAL 310, recorded for Open Yale Courses as 24 lectures… | Yale | Free | NoneNo certificate | — | — | |
| 4 | Shakespeare’s Hamlet: The Ghost Shakespeare's Hamlet: The Ghost, led by Stephen Greenblatt, takes a single figure, the Ghost of the dead King of Denm… | Harvard | Free to audit | PaidPaid certificate | Beginner | 4 weeks | |
| 5 | Masterpieces of World Literature Masterpieces of World Literature surveys how great writers have engaged with the wider world and how their works are… | Harvard | Free to audit | PaidPaid certificate | Beginner | 12 weeks | |
| 6 | A2 English for Developers Certification (Beta) An English course written for software developers and pitched at the A2 level of the Common European Framework of Ref… | freeCodeCamp | Free | IncludedCertificate included | — | — | |
| 7 | B1 English for Developers Certification (Beta) The follow-on to freeCodeCamp's A2 course, written for developers and aligned with the B1 level of the Common Europea… | freeCodeCamp | Free | IncludedCertificate included | — | — | |
| 8 | Grammar overview Grammar overview is Khan Academy's ten-unit guide to standard English grammar. | Khan Academy | Free | NoneNo certificate | — | — | |
| 9 | English for Career Development English for Career Development was created by the University of Pennsylvania, with funding from the U.S. | Coursera | Free | PaidPaid certificate | — | 4 weeks | |
| 10 | Diploma in Basic English Grammar This diploma course covers the core of English grammar for learners who want to write and speak more accurately. | Alison | Free | PaidPaid certificate | Beginner | — | |
| 11 | FREE English Grammar Course An introductory grammar course centred on the parts of speech and the most important English verbs. | Udemy | Free | NoneNo certificate | Beginner | 2 hours | |
| 12 | Writing in English at University Writing in English at University is Lund University's course on academic writing for people studying in English, espe… | Coursera | Free | PaidPaid certificate | Beginner | 3 weeks | |
| 13 | Academic and Business Writing Academic and Business Writing is a six-week BerkeleyX course led by Maggie Sokolik, Director of College Writing Progr… | UC Berkeley | Free to audit | PaidPaid certificate | Beginner | 6 weeks | |
| 14 | How to Write an Essay How to Write an Essay is a five-week BerkeleyX course from Maggie Sokolik of UC Berkeley's College Writing Programs… | UC Berkeley | Free to audit | PaidPaid certificate | Beginner | 5 weeks | |
| 15 | Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking is built around James Engell's on-campus course Elements… | Harvard | Free to audit | PaidPaid certificate | Beginner | 8 weeks | |
| 16 | Structure and Function of Argument: Introduction to Critical Thinking Structure and Function of Argument: Introduction to Critical Thinking teaches the anatomy of everyday arguments: a ma… | Harvard | Free to audit | PaidPaid certificate | Beginner | 8 weeks |
English courses by provider
Questions about free english courses
Are there free English courses with a certificate?
A few self-paced platforms include a free certificate, and some sell one as an optional extra. University language courses on audit tracks usually charge for the certificate. Each course record here states what applies.
Which level should I choose as an English learner?
Pick a course that states its level in CEFR terms or offers a placement test. If a course lists no level, assume it is for intermediate learners and check the first lesson before committing.
Do free English courses prepare me for exams such as IELTS or TOEFL?
General English courses build the underlying skills, but exam preparation is a separate category with its own format and timing practice. Look for a course that names the exam if that is your goal.