Old English: Beginners – Part 1
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Location:
Online
Dates and time:
14/01/2027 - 25/03/202719:00 - 20:00
Study format:
Online - live
Fees:
£430.00
Discover the language of early medieval England and explore the origins of English through an introduction to Old English, the language spoken and written in England between the fifth and eleventh centuries.
Over ten weeks, this beginners' course introduces the fundamental features of Old English grammar, vocabulary, and syntax, equipping students with the skills needed to read, analyse, and translate short Old English texts with the support of glossaries and reference materials. Through guided study, learners will encounter a range of historical sources such as the writings of the monk Ælfric, the Venerable Bede’s Historia Ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, thereby gaining an appreciation of the richness and diversity of early medieval English culture and society.
Alongside developing linguistic skills, students will explore the historical and cultural contexts in which these texts were produced, offering insight into the beliefs, institutions, and everyday lives of the people of early medieval England. By the end of the course, learners will have acquired a foundation in Old English and the confidence to engage with texts using appropriate linguistic, analytical, and scholarly tools.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Contact the team
Phone: +44 (0)1865 280973
This course begins on the 14 Jan 2027, which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 21 Jan 2027, 19:00-20:00 (UK time).
Week 1: Old English – Introduction to the language, its pronunciation, and rules of accentuation
Week 2: Grammar I – Introduction to the Old English case system, personal and demonstrative pronouns
Week 3: Grammar II – Strong and weak declensions of nouns
Week 4: Grammar III — Verbs (ge- prefix, modal auxiliary verbs, introduction to strong and weak verbs)
Week 5: Grammar IV — Adjectives (strong and weak declensions, comparatives and superlatives)
Week 6: Grammar V — Adverbs and Conjunctions
Week 7: Grammar VI — Prepositions
Week 8: Syntax — Clauses and Word Order
Week 9: Translation and Analysis I
Week 10: Translation and Analysis II
Course aims
This course aims to:
- Provide an introduction to the Old English language, its grammar, vocabulary, and syntax
- Introduce students to early medieval England’s literary culture through selected key prose texts
- Help students develop an understanding of early medieval England’s cultural world through translation and discussion of selected Old English texts, their contexts, and their reception
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be expected to be able to:
- Be able to read and translate selected Old English prose texts with the aid of glossaries and references materials
- Demonstrate grammatical comprehension of key features of Old English grammar, syntax and core vocabulary
- Apply analytical and critical reading skills to interpret Old English texts within their linguistic, literary and historical contexts
Level and demands
This course is open to all and no prior knowledge of the language is required.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but we warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements, please see here.
IT requirements
Any standard web browser can be used to access course materials on our virtual learning environment, but we recommend Google Chrome. To access the virtual learning environment you will be required to verify your identity using an authenticator app on a mobile device or laptop in addition to your username and password. Full instructions will be sent to you on the start date of the course. We also recommend that students join the live webinars on Microsoft Teams using a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet due to the limited functionality of the app on these devices.
Teaching methods
Online classes combine presentations with discussion and practice. PowerPoint presentations and notes will be provided. Video recordings will introduce vocabulary and review texts as well as grammar. Live online sessions will offer opportunities to read and analyse more texts, practise and discuss translations.
This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Any standard web browser can be used to access these materials, but we recommend Google Chrome. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.
All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.
In addition to watching the pre-recorded lectures students will be expected to complete exercises on Old English grammar on their own or in groups during our live sessions. As learners gain confidence in navigating the Old English language, they will be asked to read and translate glossed passages of Old English prose texts such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Bede’s Historia Ecclesiastica, and more. Students will be expected to prepare passages in advance for translation and analysis, making appropriate use of glossaries, dictionaries and other reference materials. Core texts as well as useful resources will be provided in the course textbook or made available online.
As the course progresses, selected articles or book chapters on Old English language and literature will be introduced, alongside online resources that complement and extend the material covered in lectures and live classes.
Assessment methods
You will be set optional assignments to consolidate your learning and to allow you to progress at your own pace. Weekly tests/quizzes and homework will provide a means of gauging progress over the course.
As the course will advance, it will include regular translation exercises to be completed ahead of time and discussed in class. Completing those translations constitutes a significant part of the weekly workload.
Simon Heller
Simon Heller completed his BA and MA at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, before obtaining a DPhil in English from the University of Oxford. He has taught papers on Old English at Oxford and in Switzerland. He specialises in Old English poetry and its modern reception.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £430.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Textbooks
To participate in the course you will need to buy, or have regular access to, the following book:
Richard Marsden, ed., The Cambridge Old English Reader, 2nd ed. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). Available as Ebook (and widely available second hand).
Module code: O26P846XOZ
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page..