# Learn a language
**Source**: https://global.ed.ac.uk/study-work-away/learn-a-language
**Parent**: https://careers.ed.ac.uk/build-experience/developing-your-skills
Why not take advantage of the language learning opportunities at the University?
Knowledge of the local language can enhance any international experience even if language skills are not necessarily required for study.
Taking a language as an extra subject in your first and/or second years at Edinburgh is a good way of ensuring that you are equipped, linguistically, for a year or semester abroad. But there are other opportunities for improving your language skills whilst at the University of Edinburgh.
### Open Languages
Open Languages courses are one semester language courses available to all students within the university. Open Languages courses may be taken either as part of your degree, or for extra credit - you should check with your School to see what's possible for your degree programme.
[Open Languages](https://www.ed.ac.uk/literatures-languages-cultures/open-languages)
### Languages for All
Languages for All is run by the University's Centre for Open Learning, and offers a range of short courses in an amazing variety of different languages. These courses are open to everyone.
[Languages for All](https://col.ed.ac.uk/our-programmes/languages-for-all)
### Tandem language programme
Tandem is EUSA’s popular language exchange programme. It is designed to help you meet people and learn languages in a fun, relaxed, social environment without tutors, exams or lectures.
[Tandem language programme](https://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/activities/global/tandem)
### Student societies
Our diverse student population has encouraged the growth of many international and multicultural societies. Why not join one of these societies and see if there are any opportunities to learn more about the culture of your host country and practise your language skills?
[Find a student group](https://www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/activities/list)
## Other ideas
The University of Edinburgh is part of the Una Europa Alliance, with links to a number of other European institutions. The Una Europa Language Tandem Tool could connect you with a language "buddy" at any of those institutions:
[Una Europa Language Tandem Tool](https://global.ed.ac.uk/events-and-opportunities/una-europa-language-tandem-tool)
Edinburgh has several meet-up groups for people looking to practice a foreign language. The Yakety Yak language cafe offers in-person conversation groups across the city for a small fee.
[Yakety Yak language cafe](https://www.yaketyyak-languagecafe.co.uk/)
If you enjoy games, language learning apps can help those with a competitive streak challenge themselves and learn at the same time. Try some of the following:
[Duolingo](https://www.duolingo.com/)
[Quizlet](https://quizlet.com/en-gb)
[Memrise](https://www.memrise.com/)
You can also arrange a virtual language exchange through services like italki.
[italki](https://www.italki.com/community/for-you)
If you like to listen to podcasts, seek out one that supports language learning. Similarly, research popular blogs, vlogs, TV shows or films in your target language. Make sure learning a language is a pleasure, not a chore!
This article was published on
2024-06-24