Teach English Now! Foundational Principles

Arizona State University via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

6 weeks, 2 hours a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

Arabic, French, Portuguese, Chinese, Italian, German, Russian, English, Spanish, Ukrainian, Thai, Indonesian, Kazakh, Hindi, Swedish, Korean, Greek, Japanese, Polish, Dutch, Turkish, Hungarian, Bengali, Pashto, Urdu, Azerbaijani, Farsi, Vietnamese

Found in

Part of

Overview

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Through a series of engaging metaphors and stories, prospective and current EFL/ESL teachers will identify, summarize, and evaluate 7 basic language learning paradigms. Learners will be presented information on such foundational principles as motivation, risk taking, two different modes of learning, and balancing the teacher profession. Learners are also given an understanding of basic techniques founded on those principles, such as teacher talk, looking “ridiculous” in order to lower the affective filter, and networking. With these foundational principles in mind, ESL/EFL teachers will scrutinize common assumptions about language learning by comparing how they stack up to research-based core principles.

Syllabus

Module 1: Making Meaning Clear
- Language is like cake—it must be presented well to be appreciated. In this module, you will explain the metaphor "language is cake" and identify how effective presentation supports learner understanding. You will also demonstrate practical techniques, including teacher talk, scaffolding, and body language, to make meaning clear for language learners.
Module 2: Modes of Learning and Interaction
- Learning a language requires more than memorising rules—it requires meaningful practice. In this module, you will distinguish between language learning and language acquisition, compare focused and diffuse modes of learning, and explain how these approaches contribute to language development through practice.
Module 3: Taking Risks and Learner Strategies
- Making mistakes is an essential part of learning a language. In this module, you will explain how risk-taking and affective factors influence language acquisition, identify strategies used by successful language learners, and evaluate how these strategies build confidence, reduce anxiety, and encourage learner autonomy.
Module 4: The Flipped Model of Language Learning
- Today's learners have access to language resources far beyond the classroom. In this module, you will describe how the flipped classroom model can be applied in language teaching and identify digital tools and online resources that support learning inside and outside the classroom.
Module 5: Avoiding Teacher Burnout
- Great teaching begins with sustaining the teacher. In this module, you will explain the causes of teacher burnout, identify strategies that promote professional well-being, and describe approaches that help teachers maintain long-term effectiveness and sustainability throughout their careers.
Module 6: Assessment
- This module provides an opportunity to review the foundational principles explored throughout the course and demonstrate your understanding of the key metaphors, concepts, and teaching practices presented. You will complete a comprehensive assessment that brings together the core ideas needed to support effective English language teaching.

Taught by

Dr. Justin Shewell, Andrea Haraway and Dr. Shane Dixon

Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 8 Class Central reviews

4.9 rating at Coursera based on 16370 ratings

Start your review of Teach English Now! Foundational Principles

Kimberley Peter @kimberleyp
3

Very interesting teacher! I learned a lot about the foundational Principles of teaching English. The last module of the course was probably the best. It gave me a lot of ideas.
Personal point of view: If you take some times before rereading your notes, you will be surprised to realise that you can actually visualized the principles better.
Bonny
5

This course changed my worldview serons teaching. Not just TESOL, but teaching anything, to anyone, at anytime. The course practices what it preaches, and offers unforgettable devices to help you truly learn, not just memorize, the foundations of…

This course changed my worldview serons teaching. Not just TESOL, but teaching anything, to anyone, at anytime.

The course practices what it preaches, and offers unforgettable devices to help you truly learn, not just memorize, the foundations of what it means to teach English as a second language. (Note: most students aren't native English speakers, and therefore likely aren't teaching English, which will become apparent in the peer reviews. This just shows the course offers more than just English teaching knowledge).

Some Coursera reviews mention Shane, one if the instructors, and his teaching style. I'll admit he's not what I expected - he's got energy for days and sometimes what's intended as a joke doesn't translate well. But, I learned so much from him, there's no way I would've enjoyed this class as much without him at the helm.

My only complaints about this course are:

- test questions need updating; some of the questions aren't covered in the course, or don't match what the course teaches; and

- peer review is slow; you'll need to beg in the forums if you're on a tight schedule.
Aedrian Abrilla @aaabrilla
255

This is an extremely engaging, enjoyable, whole-rounded and well-prepared course, perhaps one of the best MOOCs I have taken. While this course (and the Coursera Specializations and Professional Certificate where it belongs) is geared towards TESOL, the takeaways from this course can perhaps be applied in any teaching-learning/pedagogical setting since, ultimately, all educational efforts should draw from maximizing the participants' urge and faculties to learn and practice. I am looking forward to complete the whole Professional Certificate in the foreseeable future.
Rafael Martínez Walldez
8
Sharon Zhang
10
Niya Koleva
7
Alina Odari
1

Excellent for the one who involved in teaching students. Basically, where English is not the first language, I highly recommend this course to everyone.
Erica Peak-nordstrom
3