Having good communication skills is very important in every part of our life. No matter what your job is, as long as you meet people daily (which we all do), being able to communicate is good.
If you currently don’t have good communication skills, you can improve it. And there is no better way to do that than taking an online course.
Many online courses can help you improve your communication skills. The amazing part is that some of these courses are designed for beginners and professionals, and most of them are easy to follow.
If you are interested, let’s look at some of the best courses to improve communication skills and why they are helpful.
Important tip: Many of the courses are free, however, if any course link asks you to pay, most Coursera and edX courses let you “audit” for free.
Just look for the “Audit the course” option during registration – you can learn everything without paying unless you want a certificate.
15 Best courses to improve communication skills
To improve your communication skills, you can take courses like:
1. “Improving Communication Skills” by University of Pennsylvania (Coursera)
If you are a beginner, this is the right course for you, it teaches you the basics of good communication.
When you take the course, you will learn how to express ideas clearly and listen carefully to others.
For example, imagine you have a great idea at work but you are too shy to share it.
After this course, you’ll know how to speak confidently during meetings.
The course is free if you choose to “audit” it, which means you can watch all the lessons without paying.
It’s very practical, with simple exercises you can practice every day.
Link to take the course: Improving Communication Skills on Coursera
2. “Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills” by University of Michigan (Coursera)
By now, you should know that negotiation is a big part of communication, especially at work or when making deals.
This course teaches you how to ask for what you want and still maintain good relationships with others.
You know some people can’t ask for what they want without creating a bad impression of themselves.
Imagine trying to get a better price at the market or negotiating a salary raise and you don’t know how to present your case.
This course shows you how to do it calmly and smartly. The lessons are broken into small parts, so even if you are busy, you can learn a little each day.
Plus, it includes real-world examples to make the skills easy to understand.
Link to the course: Successful Negotiation on Coursera
3. “Business Communication” by University of British Columbia (edX)
If you want to improve your professional communication skills, this is one of the best courses you should go for.
It covers everything you need to know from writing clear emails, how to speak during presentations, and how to make a good impression during interviews.
With the course, you will be able to write a perfect email to your boss without feeling nervous or give a great presentation without forgetting your words.
The course is free to take, but you can also pay if you want a certificate. It’s very useful for students, job seekers, and business owners.
Link to the course: Business Communication on edX
4. “English for Effective Business Speaking” (edX – offered by Hong Kong University)
This course focuses on how to speak English clearly in any professional setting.
You should go for it if English is not your first language.
For example, if you feel nervous speaking English during an interview, this course will teach you how to prepare and answer questions calmly.
It uses videos, exercises, and practice tests, you will enjoy it. I have personally taken this course and it was fun.
By the end of it, you will feel more confident when you speak English at work or during meetings.
Link to the course: English for Effective Business Speaking on edX.
5. “Dynamic Public Speaking” by University of Washington (Coursera)
For many, public speaking can be scary. If you are one of these people, you are lucky today, this course makes it easier.
It teaches how to plan your speech, engage your audience, and speak without fear.
Imagine you are asked to give a speech at a wedding or a school event and you fail to do a good job, you won’t forgive yourself.
After this course, you’ll be able to stand up and speak without feeling your heart race.
The lessons are very detailed but explained in a friendly, simple way, it’s easy to understand.
This course is great for students, business owners, and anyone who wants to be a better speaker.
Link to the course: Dynamic Public Speaking on Coursera
6. “Communication Skills for Beginners” (Udemy)
If you are completely new to communication skills, this course will be a great starting point for you.
The course explains everything in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
For example, you will learn how to start conversations, keep them going, and end them politely.
Imagine meeting someone new at a party and not knowing what to say – after this course, you’ll be able to chat easily.
It’s a very short course, so you can finish it quickly and start practising what you learn right away.
Link to the course: Communication Skills for Beginners on Udemy.
7. “The Complete Communication Skills Masterclass for Life” (Udemy)
This is a very popular course that covers almost everything about communication.
It teaches public speaking, business writing, social skills, body language, and even how to handle difficult conversations.
For example, if you have a misunderstanding with a friend, you’ll learn how to solve it without hurting feelings.
The course is very detailed but easy to follow because it uses real-life examples.
It’s great for anyone who wants to become a strong communicator in every part of life.
Link to the course: The Complete Communication Skills Masterclass for Life on Udemy.
8. “Introduction to Communication Skills” (Alison)
This course is perfect for total beginners. It teaches you what communication means, why it sometimes fails, and how you can avoid common mistakes.
You’ll learn about verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (body language) communication.
It will help you learn how to explain an idea at work – With the course, you will be able to explain things in a way that others don’t get confused.
It also teaches active listening, which means paying full attention when someone speaks.
It’s very short and easy, ideal if you want a quick but strong start.
Link: Introduction to Communication Skills on Alison.
9. “English for Career Development” by University of Pennsylvania (Coursera)
This free course is designed mainly for people who speak English as a second language.
It shows you how to talk professionally in job interviews, meetings, and emails.
You’ll also practice writing a great resume and cover letter.
For example, if you’re a job seeker and you feel nervous explaining your skills in English, this course will show you how to sound confident and polished.
It’s focused on real workplace English, not classroom English. It’s free if you select the Audit option.
Link: English for Career Development on Coursera
10. “Successful Career Development” by University System of Georgia (Coursera)
This course helps you learn how to talk to your boss, coworkers, and clients in a professional and friendly way.
It shows you how communication can help you get promotions, better jobs, and stronger relationships at work.
For instance, if you’ve ever felt stuck because you couldn’t express your ideas during meetings, this course teaches you how to change that.
It also covers personal branding, which means how people view you based on what you say and how you say it.
Again, select Audit to study for free.
Link: Successful Career Development on Coursera
Quick reminders
To make the paid courses here free:
- Coursera: Choose “Audit the course” during signup to make it free.
- FutureLearn: Finish the course during the free access period (usually 5 weeks).
- edX: Select “Audit this course” if you only want the lessons without a certificate.
- Alison: Fully free, pay only if you want a certificate.
- Skillshare: 1-month free trial available.
Why good communication skills matter
Good communication helps you express yourself clearly, build stronger relationships, and succeed in your career.
It also helps avoid misunderstandings and solve problems faster.
For example, if you can explain your needs clearly to your boss, you are more likely to get the help or promotion you want.
If you can listen carefully to your children, they will feel more loved and understood. Communication is truly a skill that makes life better.
Conclusion
Taking an online course is a smart and easy way to improve your communication skills.
Whether you are just starting or want to get better at public speaking, negotiation, or business communication, there is a course perfect for you.
The best part is, that many of these courses are free or very affordable.
Just pick one that fits your goal, practice what you learn, and soon you will see a big improvement in how you talk, listen, and connect with others.