In today’s globalised world, strong English skills are essential. For writers, journalists, and content creators, English offers access to a wider audience. But knowing the language is not enough—effective editing and proofreading turn good writing into great writing. To help learners strengthen these skills, here are some of the best-rated free online courses in English editing and proofreading.

Why learn English editing and proofreading?

English is the world’s most widely spoken second language and the default mode of global communication. While basic English allows anyone to write, there’s a huge difference between just writing and telling a clear, compelling story.

Editing makes writing concise and polished by refining structure, style, and flow. Proofreading ensures grammar, spelling, and punctuation are error-free. Together, these skills are crucial for anyone looking to write professionally.

In Bangladesh, opportunities in English writing are immense—from journalism and blogging to freelance copywriting. Most of these jobs can be done remotely with good earning potential. Pairing writing with editing and proofreading expertise can open the door to a rewarding career.

Top 8 free online editing and proofreading courses

1. Online proofreading classes – Skillshare
A beginner-friendly foundation course on proofreading. Covers the basics of spotting and correcting errors, ensuring contextual accuracy. Duration: 1 month (self-paced).

2. Writing for young readers – Coursera
Offered by the Commonwealth Education Trust, this course focuses on editing and proofreading for storytelling. Explores narrative style, cultural context, and self-editing. Duration: 13 hours (self-paced).

3. English writing skills – Alison
Covers sentence structure, narrative styles, and audience targeting. Helps learners adapt writing style for different readers. Duration: 12 hours (self-paced).

4. Writing and editing: structure and organisation – Coursera
Offered by the University of Michigan under its Good with Words series. Focuses on content structure and editing with access to valuable resources. Duration: ~4 weeks (self-paced).

5. Learn English – British Council
A self-study programme with modules from A1 to C level. Each writing module includes editing and sentence structuring exercises. Duration: ~1 week per module.

6. Proofreading 101 – Edit Republic
A specialised course focusing entirely on proofreading skills. Covers text review techniques and professional standards. Self-paced.

7. Academic editing in English – Cactus University
Designed for academic writing, this course teaches structural precision and polishing techniques for scholarly texts. Self-paced.

8. Editing and Proofreading made simple – LinkedIn Learning
A comprehensive course covering fundamentals, examples, and common mistakes. Includes quizzes to test progress. Free via LinkedIn’s 1-month trial.

Final words

Writing in English is only half the job; editing and proofreading elevate it to professional standards. These free online courses provide a solid foundation for anyone aiming to sharpen their writing, whether for personal growth or career advancement. With consistent practice, learners can master the art of clear, polished, and error-free English.