Flexible ways for language learning

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

Sometimes during your studies you may find yourself needing to promote your studies regardless of variable life circumstances. In addition to life situations, personal preferences can affect the ways in which you wish to complete your communication and language studies. 

Language Centre courses can be flexibly completed through with a variety of methods. Flexible options are available for different  preferences and situations in both compulsory communication and language studies as well as optional courses. Courses are organised as contact, remote, blended and online teaching as well as independent studies. 

Information on course-specific teaching methods is available in Sisu and Courses section under the course name. More detailed description of the course implementation is available on the course page or in the course description.  

Many ways to study languages

Each Language Centre course may have different completion method, meaning that a course of the same name can be offered, for example, as contact or online teaching and at different times. Course learning outcomes are the same in all courses regardless of the completion method. Courses have been designed so that the skill level required can be attained through all completion methods. 

Certain completion methods may require varying levels of self-direction, participation in groupwork and, for example, commitment to regular meetings. There may also be differences between various courses of the same completion method. Please always read the course pages for further information.

What are the different completion methods?

Completion types used at the Language Centre are defined as follows in Sisu: 

Contact teaching 
Teaching is based, for example, on regular weekly meetings in a classroom. Students are expected to be physically present throughout the duration of the course. 

Blended teaching 
Course work takes place mostly online or using remote technology but also includes some contact teaching. There are fewer meetings requiring physical presence than in contact teaching. Blended teaching can include: 

  • A joint start and/or end meeting for the entire group 
  • Alternating between contact and remote teaching (e.g., every other meeting as contact implementation and every other as remote implementation) 
  • Hybrid teaching where students can choose whether to participate in studies on-site or remotely. 

Remote teaching 
Course work takes place in regular real-time meetings organised online. These courses have no contact meetings that require physical presence; instead, all sessions are virtual. However, for remote meetings you should ensure that you have a quiet space to work in and the ability to use a webcam. 

Online teaching 
The course has few if any real-time meetings. Studying takes place on an online platform at a flexible pace often within set time limits. Teaching typically includes recordings produced by teachers and students. An online course can often be completed independently but not necessarily: the course may include small group work, real-time meetings between students and teacher guidance sessions. 

Independent project 
The course is completed entirely independently without time or location-specific teaching sessions or collaborative work with other students. However, the course may include guidance sessions with the teacher.