Exploring the World of English Language Teaching (FutureLearn)

Exploring the World of English Language Teaching (FutureLearn)

Learn what teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) involves. Explore the opportunities to teach English abroad or at home. Get advice on teaching English as a foreign language from experts worldwide. Teaching English is a fantastic way to see the world. And it’s immensely satisfying – you get to see students achieve great things with their new skills. That’s why thousands of people take up posts around the globe every year, teaching English as a foreign language.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

If you want to join them, now’s your chance. This online course explores the ins and outs of English Language Teaching (ELT), covering what ELT involves and where you can teach it.
You’ll get advice from fellow teachers and experts from Cambridge Assessment English, helping you to teach English abroad or at home.

What topics will you cover?

Teaching contexts

  • Places to teach
  • Types of classes
  • Motivations for learning English
  • Learners and the learning context
  • Different types of learners
  • Ways to motivate learners
  • Planning for learning
  • Classroom management and language

Language skills: reading, listening, speaking, writing

  • Basic concepts and terminology used for describing communication skills; reading, listening, speaking and writing
  • Potential barriers to acquiring communication skills and suggestions for helping learners overcome them

Language analysis and awareness

  • Basic concepts and terminology used in ELT for describing language; grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
  • Potential barriers to learning language and suggestions for helping learners overcome them

Using resources

  • Published resources
  • Authentic materials
  • Realia
  • Digital tools
  • Issues relating to selecting materials

Becoming an English language teacher

  • Qualities of an English language teacher
  • Different training options
  • Preparing for a CELTA course

Glossary

  • Terminology relating to ELT

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Identify ELT terminology
  • Engage with key topics in ELT
  • Evaluate a variety of ELT teaching and learning materials
  • Discuss different types of learners
  • Identify classroom management techniques
  • Explore language systems and language skills
  • Apply practical ideas about materials and activities for future use with learners
  • Evaluate training options
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Sustainability and the English Language: Build your EAL/D Skills (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Otago

Sustainability and the English Language: Build your EAL/D Skills (FutureLearn)

Are you an EAL student interested in sustainability? Develop your vocabulary to effectively communicate sustainability issues. Improve your English language skills to help drive change. With sustainability practices now included in many different environments, it’s important to understand the basic concepts of sustainability to help you communicate in your personal and professional life.

Available now
3 Weeks
Build Your Professional ePortfolio in English (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Build Your Professional ePortfolio in English (Coursera)

Roughly half of the world’s population is already online and so setting yourself apart from the crowd is more important than ever before. One of the best ways to do that is by creating your own ePortfolio. An ePortfolio is a site that showcases or shows your background, your resume, and samples of your work. In this course, you will learn step by step how to build the site and you’ll learn the grammar, vocabulary and writing skills needed to create it. You will learn how to apply information from your ePortfolio to other online tools like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube in order to network with others so that you get a job or connect with other professionals.

Sep 21st 2026
4 Weeks
Inglés Empresarial: Gestión y Liderazgo (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Inglés Empresarial: Gestión y Liderazgo (Coursera)

¿Es usted un ejecutivo de negocios o gerente que utiliza inglés en su profesión? Entonces Ud. sabe que la buena comunicación empresarial en inglés exige los enfoques, el vocabulario y las estructuras lingüísticas específicas. En este curso, Ud. seguirá, a lo largo con un gerente recién promovido, como ella construye y conduce a su equipo hacia el éxito.

Sep 21st 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Classroom and the World (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
British Council

The Classroom and the World (FutureLearn)

Take control of your CPD and learn how to integrate 21st century skills and ICT into your English classroom. This teachers’ CPD course is dedicated to exploring tech and soft skills for the 21st century and how to incorporate them into your English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom. Focusing on professional practices outlined in the British Council’s teacher development framework, it will build your knowledge and confidence in: Integrating ICT into the classroom Promoting 21st century skills Using multilingual approaches Understanding educational policies and practice.

No sessions available
4 Weeks
English for Academic Study (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

English for Academic Study (FutureLearn)

Prepare to study at university, explore the qualities of a successful student, and learn key vocabulary in an academic context. Increase your knowledge of English for academic study. If you are preparing to study at a university where the first language is English, either on campus or online, this course aims to help you understand what is expected, and develop skills to help you learn independently and build your confidence.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
Learn English Through TV Drama Series: Skipper's Pass (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Chasing Time English

Learn English Through TV Drama Series: Skipper's Pass (FutureLearn)

Improve your English language skills by watching a short television drama series. Explore a unique and engaging way to learn English. English language classes should grip your imagination and inspire you to speak and write. The unique format of this course allows you to watch an original and exciting TV drama series and then apply the language from each episode to your English language learning journey. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to apply your English language skills in everyday contexts, such as asking for directions.

Jun 27th 2022
4 Weeks
Learn English Through TV Drama Series: Adrift (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Chasing Time English

Learn English Through TV Drama Series: Adrift (FutureLearn)

Take your English language skills to the next level by exploring pronunciation, complex phrases, and grammatical functions. Learn the core building blocks of conversation. On this five-week course from Chasing Time English, you’ll build on your language knowledge by watching and studying the television drama Adrift. This series focuses on instruction and adjacency pairs, which will help you develop the main building blocks of conversation.

Jun 27th 2022
5-12 Weeks
Basic English 2: Pre-Intermediate (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
King's College London

Basic English 2: Pre-Intermediate (FutureLearn)

Develop your English for use in different everyday situations and build more confidence in your listening skills. Develop your English for a range of everyday situations. On this course you will build your English skills. You will develop your use of English in a wider range of everyday situations and grow your listening ability.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
Preparing for Graduate Study in the US: A Course for International Students (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Michigan

Preparing for Graduate Study in the US: A Course for International Students (FutureLearn)

Prepare for a graduate program in the US with academic English language teaching support and ESL international student resources. Learn about graduate school in America with the University of Michigan. Going to graduate school in America? This course will provide you with the information and English skills you need to start your international graduate studies in the US with confidence.

Available Now
5-12 Weeks