We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Lavinia Hirsu, Sally Zacharias, and Catherine Doherty

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more Practising teachers, both primary and secondary, offering English medium instruction in schools. An initial teaching qualification, or experience working in English medium classrooms, is desirable.

Topics Covered

Read more

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more Practising teachers, both primary and secondary, offering English medium instruction in schools. An initial teaching qualification, or experience working in English medium classrooms, is desirable.

Topics Covered

  • What does language involve? So, what does language learning involve?
  • What kind of pedagogies can support the language learner in content lessons?
  • How can I develop speaking and listening skills for my ESL learners in my mainstream classroom?
  • How can I develop reading and writing skills for my ESL learners in my mainstream classroom?
  • How can I enrich my feedback and classroom talk to better help the language learner?

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Practical tesol strategies for mainstream teachers

According to students, this course is a highly practical and valuable professional development experience for teachers supporting ESL students in mainstream classrooms. Learners consistently praise its ability to provide actionable strategies and clear examples that can be immediately implemented. Many found the pedagogical approaches insightful, particularly modules on developing speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, and enriching classroom talk and feedback. While some experienced educators found certain sections to be foundational, the course is widely regarded as an excellent resource for building confidence and practical tools.
Well-structured with clear content and engaging elements.
"The videos were engaging, and the discussion prompts encouraged real reflection."
"The concepts were presented clearly, and the activities reinforced understanding."
"The pacing was good, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule."
Effectively develops skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
"I especially appreciated the modules on developing speaking and listening skills; they gave me new perspectives and actionable steps."
"I particularly liked the sections on reading and writing."
"It demystifies language acquisition and provides concrete, actionable steps."
Provides immediately applicable teaching methods.
"This course provided incredibly practical strategies that I could immediately implement in my mainstream classroom."
"I've already applied several strategies with positive results."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
Some found the forum discussions inactive.
"The forum discussions were not very active when I took it, which was a missed opportunity for peer learning."
"The course could benefit from more interactive elements beyond the discussion forums."
Offers strong foundational knowledge, but may lack advanced topics.
"Some parts felt a little basic for me, having already taken some ESL training, but it's great for newer teachers."
"Found this course to be too superficial. It covers a lot of ground but doesn't go deep enough into any one area."
"I was hoping for more innovative approaches; it's better for complete beginners than for intermediate learners."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for TESOL Strategies: Supporting ESL Students in Mainstream Classrooms. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete TESOL Strategies: Supporting ESL Students in Mainstream Classrooms will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Provides a comprehensive overview of language learning, covering topics such as the role of motivation, and the use of technology.
Provides a comprehensive overview of second language teacher education, covering topics such as the role of reflection, and the use of technology.
Provides a comprehensive overview of English language teaching, covering topics such as the history of English language teaching, and the use of technology.
Provides a comprehensive overview of second language acquisition, covering topics such as the role of input, and the role of output.
Focuses on the professional development of second language teachers. It explores various models and approaches to teacher education, including reflective practice and коллаборативный learning. This key text for those involved in training and supporting ESL teachers.
Provides a theoretical overview of second language acquisition, covering topics such as Krashen's theory of language acquisition, and the role of motivation in learning.
Provides a comprehensive overview of English pronunciation, covering topics such as the International Phonetic Alphabet, and the pronunciation of individual sounds.
Provides a comprehensive overview of teaching English for academic purposes, covering topics such as academic reading and writing, and the use of technology in the classroom.
Provides a highly accessible introduction to the field of second language acquisition (SLA). It is ideal for those new to the topic, offering clear explanations of key theories and research findings without assuming prior knowledge. It serves as valuable background reading for anyone beginning to explore how languages are learned, making it suitable for high school and early undergraduate students. The book is widely used as a core text in teacher training programs.
Provides a practical overview of various language teaching methods, illustrating each with classroom examples. It helps readers understand the theoretical principles behind different techniques and encourages them to reflect on their own teaching practices. It valuable resource for both novice and experienced teachers looking to explore diverse pedagogical approaches. It is often used in teacher training courses.
Considered a classic in the field, this book offers a comprehensive and in-depth examination of second language acquisition research. It covers a wide range of topics, including learner language, internal and external factors, and classroom SLA. While more theoretically oriented, it is an essential reference for graduate students and researchers seeking a thorough understanding of the subject's history and key findings.
Provides a detailed survey of the major and minor approaches and methods that have shaped language teaching over the years. It examines each method's theoretical basis, design, and procedures. It's a crucial text for understanding the evolution of language teaching practices and is often used in method courses in TESOL programs.
Offers a systematic guide to the process of planning, developing, and evaluating language programs. It covers needs analysis, goal setting, syllabus design, and materials development. It highly practical resource for program administrators and curriculum designers, often used in graduate-level courses and professional development.
Focuses on the principles and practices of task-based language teaching (TBLT), an approach that emphasizes the use of meaningful tasks in language learning. It provides a theoretical rationale for TBLT and offers practical guidance for designing and implementing tasks in the classroom. It's a valuable resource for teachers interested in communicative approaches.
This is an essential reference guide for advanced learners and teachers of English. It addresses common grammar and vocabulary problems faced by non-native speakers with clear explanations and examples. While not a textbook, it is an invaluable tool for clarifying linguistic doubts and deepening understanding of English usage.
Provides a comprehensive overview of English vocabulary, covering topics such as word formation, and the use of collocations.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser