Blended Language Learning: Design and Practice for Teachers

University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

19 hours 47 minutes
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Intermediate
Subtitles

French, Portuguese, Russian, English, Spanish, Kazakh, German, Hindi, Swedish, Korean, Greek, Italian, Chinese, Arabic, Thai, Ukrainian, Japanese, Indonesian, Polish, Dutch, Turkish

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Overview

This course is for language educators who wish to learn how to build and teach a blended language course. This course is divided into four modules. In the first module we are going to discuss the origins and effectiveness of the blended learning model. In the second module, we are going to look at course level considerations such as how to choose a blended format or how to build a blended course syllabus. In the third module, we are going to focus on the unit level. We are going to discuss how to plan a blended unit, how to go about presenting content, designing blended activities and assessment strategies. In the fourth module, we're going to turn our attention to the teaching aspect of the blended learning experience. This course includes short quizzes, discussion questions, and an optional scaffolded peer-reviewed assignment. If you complete all the assignments, at the end of this course you will have fairly fleshed out a blended unit and you will be well on your way to building your own blended language course. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: -Explain blended learning as a teaching modality and discuss its effectiveness -List and discuss the main instructional design steps involved in building a blended language course -Select tools and technologies to support blended language learning -Discuss effective blended teaching strategies

Syllabus

Course Introduction
Blended Language Learning: Definitions, Benefits, Challenges, and Effectiveness

In this module, we will begin by defining blended learning and clarifying how it differs from simply adding online activities to a face-to-face course. We will also look briefly at the evolution of blended learning, from the early use of learning management systems to today’s more intentional integration of educational technology and AI-powered tools. By the end of the module, you will understand what makes a course truly blended, why design matters more than format, and how online and face-to-face components can work together to create more flexible, engaging, and effective learning experiences.

Building a Blended Language Course (Course Level Considerations)

In this module, you will learn how to design the structure of a blended course and make intentional decisions about what happens online and what happens face-to-face. We will begin by examining how to choose a blended format that fits your students’ needs, your institutional context, your course goals, and the type of course you teach. You will also explore practical considerations such as development timelines, syllabus design, LMS organization, technology tools, accessibility, differentiation, and the role of AI in supporting blended course design.By the end of this module, you should be able to make thoughtful design choices that connect the online and in-person parts of a course into a clear, accessible, and coherent learning experience.

Building a Blended Learning Course (Unit Level Considerations)

In this unit, we will explore how to design meaningful online learning activities in a blended language course. We will begin by looking at strategies and tools for presenting content online, then move into the design of activities that support the three modes of communication: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. We will also examine how culture and intercultural competence can be embedded throughout a course rather than treated as separate topics. Finally, we will discuss assessment in a blended environment, including Integrated Performance Assessments and strategies for connecting online and face-to-face work in meaningful ways.

Teaching Strategies

In this module, we are going to discuss blended teaching strategies. A blended course combines face-to-face instruction with online learning, so it requires thoughtful planning across both environments. By the end of this module, you will be able to describe the three elements of the Community of Inquiry Framework: teaching presence, cognitive presence, and social presence, and identify ways to establish each type of presence online. You will also compare synchronous and asynchronous online activities and consider when each modality works best. In addition, you will explore strategies for preparing students to succeed in a blended course, including day-one orientation, technology access, course organization, and effective online learning habits. We will also discuss academic honesty in blended learning, including how to set expectations around AI tools, translation tools, scripted responses, and proctoring. Finally, you will learn how to improve a blended course over time by collecting feedback, using learning analytics, capturing revision notes, and making thoughtful updates from one iteration of the course to the next.