Teach English Now! Teaching Language Online

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/teachlanguageonline

Introduction

### Course Review: Teach English Now! Teaching Language Online In today’s interconnected world, the demand for English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors has soared, especially in the online realm. For anyone interested in stepping into this dynamic field or enriching their existing online teaching skills, the "Teach English Now! Teaching Language Online" course offered by Arizona State University (ASU) and VOXY stands out as a commendable option. This comprehensive course combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications in a fun and engaging manner, framed within the theme of “International Travel.” #### Course Overview This course is designed for a diverse audience: aspiring educators new to ESL, seasoned teachers looking to adapt to online environments, and everyone in between. It provides a thorough exploration of essential concepts and strategies required to effectively teach English online, with an emphasis on interactive learning and student engagement. #### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Introduction to the Online Classroom**: This module serves as a gateway into the world of online education. Participants learn how to facilitate engaging environments, manage group dynamics, and explore Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) concepts. The focus on creating engaging online sessions prepares educators to effectively captivate the attention of their students. 2. **Introduction to Second Language Acquisition**: Understanding how students acquire a new language is crucial for any educator. This module delves into the theories and principles of second language acquisition, enabling participants to tailor their teaching strategies to suit diverse learning needs and styles. 3. **Introduction to Task-Based Language Teaching**: Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) is a proven approach that emphasizes the use of meaningful tasks as the focus of language learning. This module provides insights into designing tasks that promote language use in real-world contexts, increasing student motivation and relevance. 4. **Lesson Planning and Structures**: Effective lesson planning is the backbone of successful teaching. This section guides participants through the essential components of lesson design, ensuring that educators can construct clear, organized, and purposeful lesson plans. 5. **Developing a Lesson Plan**: Following the introduction to lesson structures, participants will engage in hands-on activities to develop practical lesson plans. This module reinforces theoretical knowledge through practical application, enhancing the participant's ability to design effective language lessons. 6. **Error Correction and Feedback**: Learning to provide constructive feedback is a vital skill for any educator. This module explores various strategies for error correction and how to leverage feedback to foster student growth. 7. **Challenges with Online Teaching and Learning**: Online teaching comes with its set of challenges. This concluding module addresses common issues faced by online instructors, offering strategies to overcome obstacles and ensure a productive learning environment. #### Course Recommendations **Pros**: - **Engaging Content**: The theme of “International Travel” adds an element of excitement and relatability to the course material, making learning enjoyable. - **Flexible Learning**: The course is designed for varied experience levels, making it accessible whether you are a novice or an experienced ESL teacher. - **Practical Focus**: The combination of theory with hands-on lesson planning and task-based teaching equips participants with applicable skills. **Cons**: - While the course covers many essential aspects of online language teaching, those seeking advanced specialized techniques may need to look at complementary courses. - Depending on the participant's prior knowledge, some modules may feel quick or too basic. #### Conclusion "Teach English Now! Teaching Language Online" is an excellent investment for anyone looking to teach ESL effectively in the online environment. The course thoughtfully prepares participants by blending foundational theories with practical strategies, ensuring they can engage their students in meaningful and enjoyable ways. Whether you’re starting your teaching journey or enhancing your existing skills, I highly recommend enrolling in this course. It not only builds essential teaching skills but also inspires a passion for engaging students in their language learning journey, making it a noteworthy addition to your professional development repertoire.

Syllabus

Introduction to the Online Classroom

In this module we will introduce you to the online classroom by showing you what generally happens in an online session, how to create an environment in which students are engaged, facilitate group work/pair work online, and we will review some basic Computer Assisted Language Learning concepts.