Level up your skills this summer

COLLEGE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

If you have some free time this summer, why not try to learn a new language, develop your skills through a LinkedIn Learning course, or earn a credential through a continuing education program? CREDIT: FREEPIK

Learning apps, courses, and programs to keep your brain active

CHEN CHEN

In addition to soaking up some sunshine and getting some much needed relaxation, the summer months can also be a good time to level up your skills and invest in developing additional expertise for yourself. Below are some ideas for learning programs you can consider when planning how to spend your time this summer.

There are many benefits to learning a new language. For starters, it increases your vocabulary and enhances your understanding of other cultures.

One popular way to learn a new language is to use the Duolingo App. Duolingo is a mobile app that provides fun and easy language learning to the public for free. Within the app, there are 19 language courses available, and within each course, the contents are divided into bite-size lessons which only take 5-10 minutes each to complete. You can click through the lesson with language clues and pronunciations provided. This design makes language learning super easy, and the interactive app interface also makes the app game-like and engaging. Duolingo also tracks your progress and allows you to follow your friends who are also using the app. You could even start a friendly competition with your friends to motivate you in your language learning. The app is available to download in Google Play or Apple’s App Store.

Once you begin to learn a new language, it is also helpful to look for alternative resources to enrich your language learning experience. This could be watching movies or TV shows in the target language, listening to podcasts or songs in the language, or even reading bilingual news. Some useful websites for finding learning materials include:

LANGUAGE LEARNING APPS

University of Guelph’s McLaughlin Library video collections

You can access a variety of educational videos in different languages through the library’s video collections at guides.lib.uoguelph. ca/Videos. My personal favourite sites are Kanopy and Films on Demand, which offer many good documentaries and movies. You can access the full collection of resources by signing in with your UoGuelph login ID.

Podcasts

You can find many language learning podcasts through podcast apps such as Apple Podcast. For example, you can follow Duolingo’s Spanish or French podcast to listen to bilingual stories.

Music, news, and more!

You can find a language specific playlist on Music apps such as Spotify and listen to the news in another language on a Radio app such as iHeart Radio.

LinkedIn Learning is a learning website that offers courses in business, software, and creative skills. It has a variety of online courses, and, as a U of G student, you can access the courses for free just by logging into the platform using your UoGuelph central login.

The courses offered by LinkedIn Learning are usually more applicable to business settings and are bite-sized so that the program can be completed within weeks. If you are not ready to make the commitment to a college certificate program, consider taking courses from LinkedIn Learning. There are also courses to learn handson skills such as photography and web design. You could even form a study group and get your friends involved in the learning process, and gain team management experience along the way.

In addition, the Guelph Public Library has a lot of online resources available such as workshops, eBooks and eAudiobooks, and online courses. Consider signing up for their newsletters to get the most updated info about books, events, etc.

Colleges and universities often offer professional development courses through their open learning programs or continuing education programs. Through these programs, you may have a chance to increase your knowledge of the discipline, make connections with professionals in the field, work collaboratively with other like-minded students, and earn certificates and diplomas to strengthen your resume. Whether you want to gain credentials to teach English abroad or to become a certified Human Resources professional, there are many programs available to you.

The University of Guelph offers many courses and programs through it’s Open Learning and Educational Support Unit. You can check them out at opened. uoguelph.ca.

Conestoga College also offers lots of professional development courses, and some of the courses can be stacked up to count for a micro-credential. Head to conestogac.on.ca to learn more about their offerings.

Regardless of which learning program that you decide to take, it is never a bad idea to invest in improving yourself. The summer months are a good opportunity to focus on learning something new when you have more time on your hands. Whether it be professional skills or learning a new hobby, there are many options available to you, and it’s easy to go online and discover them!

ONLINE COURSES