Teach English Now! Theories of Second Language Acquisition (Coursera)

Teach English Now! Theories of Second Language Acquisition (Coursera)

In this course learners are introduced to second or foreign language theories and practices for teaching and assessing listening, speaking, and pronunciation. Learners will also be introduced to basic studies in second language acquisition and their pedagogical implications. Teachers will be invited to recognize the importance of grounding their own teaching philosophy through an examination of purpose, content, and technique.

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

This course is part of multiple programs
This course can be applied to multiple Specializations or Professional Certificates programs. Completing this course will count towards your learning in any of the following programs:

What You Will Learn

  • Define your own personal teaching philosophy
  • Describe best practices for teaching listening, speaking, and pronunciation
  • Explain grammar translation and audio-lingual teaching approaches
  • Understand basic studies in second language acquisition

Syllabus

WEEK 1
The Swing of the Pendulum: A Brief Look at ESL History
In this course, learners are introduced to second or foreign language theories and practices for teaching and assessing English. Learners will also be introduced to basic studies in second language acquisition and their pedagogical implications. Teachers will be invited to recognize the importance of grounding their own teaching philosophy through an examination of purpose, content, and technique. In Week 1, learners are introduced to the concepts of purpose, content, and technique as they relate to language teaching, and to some of the themes that will be repeated throughout the course, such as the time machine analogy and the angel and devil debates.

WEEK 2
A Study in Contrasts: The Grammar Translation and Direct Approach
Learners go back in time to visit 1880 and 1910 to speak with teachers from the Grammar Translation and the Direct approaches. In our “Angel and Devil Debate” videos, learners will examine each approach from different points of view and decide for themselves which they agree with, if any. Finally, learners will be introduced to a variety of teaching methods that are derived from the Grammar Translation and the Direct approaches.

WEEK 3
A Study in Contrasts: The Reading and Audiolingual Approach
Learners go back in time to visit 1930 and 1940 to speak with teachers from the Reading and the Audio-lingual approaches. In our “Angel and Devil Debate” videos, learners will examine each approach from different points of view and decide for themselves which they agree with, if any. Finally, learners will be introduced to a variety of teaching methods that are derived from the Reading and the Audio-lingual approaches.

WEEK 4
A Study in Contrasts: The Cognitive and Affective-Humanistic Approach
Learners go back in time to visit 1960 and 1970 to speak with experts from the Cognitive and the Affective-Humanistic approaches. In our “Angel and Devil Debate” videos, learners will examine each approach from different points of view and decide for themselves which they agree with, if any. Finally, learners will be introduced to a variety of teaching methods that are derived from the Cognitive and the Affective-Humanistic approaches.

WEEK 5
A Study in Similarities: The Comprehension and Communicative Approach
Learners go back in time to visit the 1980s twice to speak with teachers from the Comprehension and the Communicative approaches. In our “Angel and Devil Debate” videos, learners will examine each approach from different points of view and decide for themselves which they agree with, if any. Finally, learners will be introduced to a variety of teaching methods that are derived from the Comprehension and the Communicative approaches.

WEEK 6
Assessment
Each of the eight approaches covered in Weeks 2 – 5 will be summarized in preparation for the final quiz. Learners will have the opportunity to look at their graphic organizer and fill in any missing pieces of information as they review the principles taught in the previous weeks.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Teaching LGBTQ+ Health (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

Teaching LGBTQ+ Health (Coursera)

This curriculum is designed for faculty members and health professions educators. The course goals are to improve your knowledge, teaching skills, and attitudes pertaining to the provision of health care to LGBTQ+ patients.e.g. This is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in engineering or science, along with high school students and professionals with an interest in programming.

Oct 12th 2026
2 Weeks
Writing in English at University (Coursera) Coursera
Lund University

Writing in English at University (Coursera)

Acquiring good academic research and writing skills early on is essential for your success both at university and in your professional life. This course aims: - to give you an understanding of the conventions of academic writing in English and to teach you the components and benefits of what is called process writing. - to help you to put together your own “toolbox” of academic writing skills, as well as to give you a chance to test out these tools and to reflect on your own development as a writer. - to encourage reflection on discipline specific conventions; although the course deals with generic skills, you will be able to apply these generic skills to meet the particular needs of your own discipline.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Usos didácticos del cine: Introducción al análisis (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Usos didácticos del cine: Introducción al análisis (Coursera)

¡Hola! Bienvenido al MOOC "Usos Didácticos del Cine: Introducción al Análisis", ofrecido por la UNAM. A lo largo de este curso, te presentaremos varias formas de usar películas en tus clases para mejorar el rendimiento de tus estudiantes. Además, podrás acceder a una variedad de herramientas y marcos conceptuales referentes a la teoría del cine válidos para poder usar con más conocimientos cualquier obra cinematográfica en el aula.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business English: Finance and Economics (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Business English: Finance and Economics (Coursera)

Do you work in finance or interact with finance professionals? Is it necessary to speak, write or understand English in your career? Follow the authentic characters in this course as they work through common business situations in finance and economics. Learn from your successes and failure, and think critically about your own communication options.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Innovative Teaching with ChatGPT (Coursera) Coursera
Vanderbilt University

Innovative Teaching with ChatGPT (Coursera)

Despite what you may have heard, ChatGPT offers exciting possibilities for supporting innovative teaching and personalized education. This course provides practical techniques that any educator, from K-12 to higher education, can use to help support their teaching. No experience with ChatGPT, prompt engineering, or Generative AI is required.

Oct 12th 2026
1 Week
Teaching Science at University (Coursera) Coursera
University of Zurich

Teaching Science at University (Coursera)

This course will prepare you for teaching science in higher education. In this MOOC you will learn to make your knowledge as an excellent researcher accessible to your students. We will show you how to communicate science to novices as well as advanced students in science.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
English Intermediate B1.2 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Naples Federico II

English Intermediate B1.2 (Coursera)

Welcome to the second and final course in our B1 program! English is the most important international language for the workplace and for study, and this second course will help you improve your language skills even further to reach the convincing intermediate level you need to work, study or travel abroad. The varied learning activities will enable you to communicate on a variety of more complex topics like the digital university, the climate and the environment, and looking after your health.

Oct 12th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Translation in Practice (Coursera) Coursera
Nanjing University

Translation in Practice (Coursera)

This course offers you basic but valuable techniques used by a good translator in the translation between English and Chinese. We’ll discuss what is translation, what is good translation, and learn about how to produce good translations. All the examples used in this course are taken from the course instructor's own translations of various genres and topics of writing.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher (Coursera) Coursera
University of Cape Town

Educating Deaf Children: Becoming an Empowered Teacher (Coursera)

Many Deaf children around the world still leave school functionally illiterate. In some cases there is no allowance made for education of Deaf children at all. This 4 week course provides you with invaluable knowledge and skills about teaching Deaf children. You will learn about the importance of Deaf culture and community, the need for a language rich environment for the Deaf child from as young as possible, and that having access to sign language can help Deaf children academically, emotionally, and socially.

Oct 12th 2026
4 Weeks
Inclusive Online Teaching Teach-Out (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Inclusive Online Teaching Teach-Out (Coursera)

In this course, higher education faculty will examine students’ barriers to learning, including unconscious bias, physical impairments, and lack of motivation. Participants will explore and discuss how inclusive pedagogy and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can help to address those barriers and improve student learning outcomes.

Oct 5th 2026
2 Weeks