5 skills you can learn online

Looking for something to do with your evenings in isolation? If you’re looking to learn a new skill with your new found downtime but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. Sometimes, the possibilities of the internet can be overwhelming, so here are our favorite skills to learn online we think you’ll love.

1. Coding

Many of today’s kids are already being taught coding in schools, which means it might become the new normal in our professional lifetimes. So why not take this opportunity to learn how to code? You can learn the basics for free online, allowing you to build your own websites, apps and much more. Code Academy has a free online coding program or why not try Hardvard’s Introduction to Computer Science course online for free? If you can afford one-on-one training, we love the subscription-model certification courses from Udacity, which includes the added help of a tutor to answer your coding questions for just $19 a class. For practical help, the free Practical JavaScript course from Watch and Code is a popular choice, as it centers around a single project to put your skills into practice. Or why not make coding fun and learn through playing games? The Minecraft: Educational Edition is used for teaching kids in schools, using activities which are just as fun and absorbing for adults.

2. Speed reading

Speed reading is a skill which can make all the difference to both your professional and your personal life. Being able to skim passages, documents and even novels can save you masses of time while still getting the important content from the words. Spreeder is a free online program designed to help you improve your reading and comprehension skills in order to hone in on texts, helping you to double or even triple the speed at which you read. 

3. Languages

Now is the perfect opportunity to brush up on your language skills, whether that’s reminding yourself of your high school French or taking a stab at Arabic for the first time. For online language practice which you can fit into your everyday routine, try Duolingo, available as an app or online, where you can learn Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, English and more in daily bitesize chunks for free. Or if you’re looking for one-on-one language courses (via webcam, of course), we love Apprentus, an online database of language teachers at reasonable prices, complete with reviews and information on their training so you can be sure you’re getting the support you need at a budget that works for you.

4. Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an important life skill which can improve your quality of life more than you might expect. Mindfulness is all about being present in the now, both mentally and physically. You can practice mindfulness through mental activities, including apps such as Headspace, or physical activities such as yoga. We love the guided meditation videos on Youtube by The Mindful Movement, which come in both short clips and longer immersive meditation sessions, making it the perfect way to immerse yourself in the present moment and forget your stresses.

5. Writing

Being able to write well can improve the quality of your professional work and your personal correspondence. Thankfully, you can learn the art of writing online during isolation with online courses, such as Macalester College's lecture series. Or if you’re looking for professional writing courses with a tutor or even one-on-one writing tuition, check out Gotham Writers, NYC’s leading writing school whose courses have now all switched to online for the time being. If you're more interested in journalism, try Wikiversity's course selection or explore the many, many courses available for free on Coursera.