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Online course

Exploring English: Magna Carta

Improve your English language skills while exploring the Magna Carta - the 800-year-old "great charter" that shaped the world.

What’s the difference between a free course and an upgraded course?

Free:

  • Access to the course for its duration + 14 days, regardless of when you join (this includes access to articles, videos, peer review steps, quizzes)
  • No certificate

Upgraded:

  • Unlimited access to the course, for as long as it exists on FutureLearn (this includes access to articles, videos, peer review steps, quizzes)
  • A Statement of Participation when you complete over half the course

Find out more

Exploring English: Magna Carta

Overview
Start dates
Requirements
Educators

Why join the course?

How did a peace treaty signed by an English king in 1215 become such an important symbol of liberty and human rights around the world?

This free online course will start by looking at the events that led to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, before examining the role the Magna Carta has played in shaping history – from American independence to liberation movements around the world.

Finally, we will look at the relevance of the Magna Carta to the 21st century.

At each step of the course, our video tutor and team of educators will guide you through the topic and introduce a language focus, by looking at some examples of English in use in videos and texts.

Short quizzes will help you check your understanding and you’ll be asked to join discussions with other learners around the world.

This course is one of three courses from the British Council’s Exploring English course collection.

You can find out more in the British Council’s quiz on the FutureLearn blog: “How much do you really know about the Magna Carta?”

  • Duration 3 weeks
  • 2 hours per week
  • FREE online course
  • Certificates available

Who is the course for?

The course is aimed at non-native English speakers at around intermediate level (approximately B1 on the CEFR) or above.

Who will you learn with?

Karen Waterston

Karen Waterston

I've taught in a lot of different countries over the past 25 years and have worked with both primary and secondary teachers in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia.

Who developed the course?

The British Council is on the ground in six continents and over 100 countries connecting the best of UK culture with a global audience and providing high-quality English language courses.

Buy a personalised, digital and printed certificate

You can buy a Statement of Participation for this course — a personalised certificate in both digital and printed formats, to celebrate taking part.

£34.00 + shipping

Estimate prices in preferred currency

Charges to your account will be made in GBP. Prices in local currency are provided as a convenience and are only an estimate based on current exchange rates.

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