FutureLearn

Working with Translation: Theory and Practice (FutureLearn)

Offered by Cardiff University,

Explore what it means to communicate in multiple languages in a variety of contexts, and discover your inner translator. Translation is one of the most fundamental of human activities, allowing us to interact with one another within and across cultures. Drawing on the research and expertise of specialists at Cardiff University and the University of Namibia, on this course, you will discover a wealth of practical tips and knowledge about the nature of translation in an increasingly multilingual world.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

You will explore translation in a global context, and observe translation in healthcare and the justice system as well as in music, manga, video games and historical romances. You may even discover your own ‘inner translator’ in the process!

What topics will you cover?

Definitions and metaphors of translation
Varieties of translation, for example: phonetic, interlingual and cultural translation
Translators in history
The role of translators
Professional ethics and codes of conduct
Where translation takes place
Writing a successful translation commission
The nature of quality in translation

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Explore the variety of definitions of translation and their implications, as well as common misconceptions
Collaborate with other learners to share examples of translation and interpreting drawn from daily life, and put them into context
Describe the diverse roles of translators, interpreters and localisers
Reflect on the spaces in which translation takes place and their bearing on practice
Design a commission or briefing for a translator/interpreter, ensuring that all the necessary components are in place
Evaluate differing conceptions of "quality" in translation

Go to Class

MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

FutureLearn

Deakin University

Career Credentials: Evidence Your Expertise in Communication (FutureLearn)

Management & Leadership Business

Evidence your communication skills for the workplace and progress in your career.Gather evidence to demonstrate your in-demand communication skills. Get an introduction to the importance of effective communication in the modern workplace, with this online course from Deakin University. On this course, you’ll learn how to assess your workplace communication skills and gather evidence of skills that you can warrant to employers.

No sessions available

2 Weeks

Communication Communication Skills Effective Communication

Coursera

University of California, Irvine

La comunicación laboral en el siglo XXI (Coursera)

Management & Leadership

En el acelerado ambiente empresarial de hoy en día, a los empleados de todo nivel se les pide que se encarguen cada vez de más tareas, que cumplan más plazos, que asuman más responsabilidad y que se adapten a más innovación. Además de esos retos está la cuestión de la gran diversidad de personas con las que uno trabaja, y que continuamente están cambiando, por lo que es necesario saber manejar las diferencias generacionales, culturales, de sexo y de edad.

Jun 22nd 2026

4 Weeks

Communication Conflict Resolution Interpersonal Skills

Coursera

University of California, Irvine

Conflict Resolution Skills (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Business

Resolving conflict in a positive manner is a skill that can be developed and practiced. Being heard can be one of the most important goals of someone engaged in conflict. Knowing how to listen and deploy appropriate communication tactics is determinative of whether a conflict will have a positive or negative resolution. Examine listening skills, appropriate and strategic verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and how to assemble a conflict management plan likely to yield positive resolutions.

Jun 22nd 2026

3 Weeks

Business Management Conflict

FutureLearn

D&AD

How to Understand the Gaming Audience (FutureLearn)

Art and Culture

Learn techniques to understand your audience and use gamification to improve your creative communications. While the audience sits at the heart of any successful communication, the community you build is what supercharges gaming. Often called the new social media, this medium is where people want to interact, engage, and spend their time. On this three-week course from D&AD, you’ll explore how to build and engage a gaming audience, maintain their attention, and empower them to do good.

May 23rd 2022

3 Weeks

Gamification Communication Gaming

Coursera

Howard University

Project Management Essentials (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Business

This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of project management principles, methodologies, and best practice. The Project Management Essentials course is designed for professionals at various career stages, from beginners to those seeking a refresher. The course equips learners with a foundational understanding of the key elements of project management.

Jun 26th 2026

4 Weeks

Project Management PMBOK Team Management

Coursera

Georgia Institute of Technology

Write Professional Emails in English (Coursera)

Languages & Literature

This is a course to help you write effective business emails in English. This course is unique because each module will provide tips on writing more professional emails as well as lessons to improve your overall English writing skills. Therefore, you will improve your grammar and vocabulary skills for email writing and also improve your cross cultural knowledge to make you more powerful and successful in your business communication. You will look at different email formats to analyze tone, formality levels, and various organizational styles. You will be able to improve your emails of introduction, announcements, requests and emails that apologize or revise a request.

Jun 22nd 2026

5-12 Weeks

English Writing Professional

Coursera

Peking University

计算机辅助翻译原理与实践 Principles and Practice of Computer-Aided Translation (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering CS: Information & Technology

讲授计算机辅助翻译技术的基本概念，及多种辅助翻译工具的原理和使用方法，锻炼学生在技术环境下从事翻译工作等其他各类语言服务工作的能力，并帮助学生理解信息化时代的语言服务工作。 This course introduces the basic concepts of computer-aided translation technology and helps students learn to use computer-aided translation tools.

Jun 22nd 2026

13-24 Weeks

Translation Computer Aided Translation

FutureLearn

Shanghai International Studies University - SISU

Intercultural Communication (FutureLearn)

Languages & Literature Business

Learn the essentials of cross-cultural interaction with this free online intercultural communication course. Explore how to improve your communication with people from other cultures. As business becomes ever-more global, intercultural communication has become a vital skill. If you work in a multinational office, work or study abroad, or simply want to know how to improve your communication skills, understanding how to overcome cultural differences is crucial.

Available now

5-12 Weeks

Communication Intercultural Communication Communication Skills

Coursera

Arizona State University

Teach English Now! Theories of Second Language Acquisition (Coursera)

Education Teacher Professional Development

In this course learners are introduced to second or foreign language theories and practices for teaching and assessing listening, speaking, and pronunciation. Learners will also be introduced to basic studies in second language acquisition and their pedagogical implications. Teachers will be invited to recognize the importance of grounding their own teaching philosophy through an examination of purpose, content, and technique.

Jun 22nd 2026

5-12 Weeks

English Reading Teaching

Coursera

University of California, Irvine

High-Impact Business Writing (Coursera)

Business

Effective writing is a powerful tool in the business environment. Learn how to articulate your thoughts in a clear and concise manner that will allow your ideas to be better understood by your readers. Improve your business writing skill by learning to select and use appropriate formats for your audience, use the correct medium and adjust your writing style accordingly, as well as identify your objective and communicate it clearly. You'll also learn to spot, correct and avoid the most common writing pitfalls, and gain valuable experience analyzing, writing and revising a wide spectrum of business documents. From a simple interoffice memo to a twenty-page business proposal, learn how to put good business writing to work for you.

Jun 22nd 2026

4 Weeks

Communication Writing Skills Business Writing

FutureLearn

University of Kent

Communicating Effectively with Vulnerable Children and Young People (FutureLearn)

Education Health & Society

Discover tools and techniques to engage effectively with vulnerable children and young people. Learn child-centred communication strategies to encourage children to talk. Communicating effectively with vulnerable children and young people is not always easy. Despite practitioners and carers knowing this is an important area of their work, research shows that practice is not always as effective as it could be.

Nov 6th 2023

4 Weeks

Communication Vulnerable Children Vulnerability

FutureLearn

University of Glasgow

Working Supportively With Refugees: Principles, Skills and Perspectives (FutureLearn)

Law Art and Culture

Learn how the principals of psychological well-being, communication and interpretation can benefit your work with refugees. Explore interdisciplinary approaches to working with refugees. Refugees are a diverse group, speaking many languages and of varied religions and ethnicities. This course acknowledges that skills requirements are changing rapidly and offers training for those working in this area.

Available now

3 Weeks

Communication Intercultural Communication Conflict Management