Language Learning Guide: Outside Resources

Search and compare thousands of words and phrases in American Sign Language (ASL). The largest collection of video signs online.

Transforming higher education through the science of learning. The Open Learning Initiative (OLI) is a flagship project of The Simon Initiative. It provides textbook-replacement courseware built upon principles gleaned from decades of research in three CMU’s strengths: cognitive science, computer engineering and human-computer interaction.

They envision a world where anyone, anywhere has the power to transform their lives through learning. Coursera partners with more than 275 leading universities and companies to bring flexible, affordable, job-relevant online learning to individuals and organizations worldwide. They offer a range of learning opportunities—from hands-on projects and courses to job-ready certificates and degree programs.

Duolingo language learning strives to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. Duolingo offers quick, bite-sized lessons for all levels and emphasizes gaining real-world communication skills.

EdX is the online learning platform from world-leading digital education company 2U, Inc. EdX was founded by Harvard and MIT as an experiment to make the world’s best education available to everyone. Today, edX connects over 76 million people worldwide with online learning that delivers real professional progress across nearly every career discipline, from artificial intelligence and robotics to sustainability and public health. Together with universities and organizations at the forefront of their fields, edX offers thousands of job-relevant programs designed to give every ambitious learner a path to achievement.

Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Harvard University MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) allow you to browse free online courses in a variety of subjects. Some of Harvard University's courses can be audited free or students can choose to receive a verified certificate for a small fee.

Italki is a global language learning community that connects students and teachers for 1-on-1 online language lessons. They are passionate about giving everyone the opportunity to learn languages, in the most personalized and authentic way possible.

The MIT Open Learning Library is home to selected educational content from MIT OpenCourseWare and MITx courses, available for free to anyone in the world at any time. Since 2001, MIT OpenCourseWare has been creating new opportunities for millions of learners and educators, sharing Open Educational Resources (OER) from MIT and helping to lead a global revolution in free access to knowledge. MIT OpenCourseWare continues to build on this foundation. With a new web platform, ever-growing content, and collaborations across the vibrant open education ecosystem, they are creating a world of more equitable and inclusive education for all.

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans.

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site with a 20+ year focus on expert-created education content. Thousands of resources for both students and teachers of second languages, from basic vocabulary and grammar guides to advanced writing and conversation exercises.

A collaborative project to produce a free-content multilingual dictionary that aims to describe all words of all languages using definitions and descriptions in English.