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.

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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
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