Course Review: TESOL Certificate, Part 1: Teach English Now! by Arizona State University (Coursera)

Learn how to teach English as a second language. Build lessons, motivate students, and manage your class with ease. No experience required.

Instructor: Dr. Shane Dixon

Enroll Now ($49/month)

Course Overview

This beginner-friendly TESOL course from Arizona State University helps you learn how to teach English to non-native speakers. You’ll explore language learning theories, create lesson plans, and build strong classroom skills. It’s fully online, self-paced, and ideal for new or aspiring teachers. By the end, you’ll know how to teach with confidence and prepare for the full TESOL certificate.

Duration: 3 months (at 10 hours per week)

Chapters:

Teach English Now! Foundational Principles
Teach English Now! Theories of Second Language Acquisition
Teach English Now! Lesson Design and Assessment
Teach English Now! Capstone Project 1

Tutor: Dr. Shane Dixon

Pros & Cons

👍Pros

✔️ Beginner-friendly with no prior teaching experience required
✔️ Flexible schedule lets you learn at your own pace
✔️ Strong focus on real classroom skills and lesson planning

👎Cons

❌ Does not offer university credit
❌ Requires a second specialization to earn the full TESOL certificate
❌ May not go deep enough for experienced teachers seeking advanced strategies

🧑‍🎓 Who is This Course Best For?

This course is ideal for anyone who wants to teach English to non-native speakers. It offers a solid start for beginners and helpful tools for those looking to grow their teaching skills. With simple lessons and hands-on projects, it’s perfect for learners from many backgrounds.

New teachers exploring ESL education
Gain basic skills and confidence to enter the classroom for the first time. Learn how to design lessons, manage students, and use simple tech tools.
Career changers looking to enter teaching
If you’re switching fields, this course helps you build a strong base in ESL teaching. It guides you through key methods and real classroom tasks.
College students planning to work abroad
This course helps future travelers or exchange students prepare to teach English overseas. You’ll learn classroom control, speaking activities, and lesson design.
Freelance tutors and language coaches
It’s a great way to add structure to private lessons. You’ll learn how to set goals, assess progress, and keep students engaged.
Volunteers teaching in non-profits or communities
Use these skills to make a real difference in community or volunteer settings. It covers basics like classroom setup and motivating students.
Professionals seeking global opportunities
Many jobs abroad need English teachers. This course helps build a certificate path toward roles in schools, programs, and language centers.
Online English tutors
If you teach remotely, this course shows you how to use tech and keep lessons fun and useful. You’ll learn to manage time and stay focused online.
Anyone interested in second language learning
Even if you don’t plan to teach, you’ll gain insight into how people learn languages. It’s useful for parents, students, and language lovers.

📘 What You’ll Learn

This course gives you the tools to teach English to non-native speakers with confidence. You’ll learn how people pick up new languages and how to use that knowledge in your lessons. It walks you through real classroom tasks like planning lessons, using tech, and keeping students motivated. You’ll also explore teaching methods and discover what works best for listening, speaking, and pronunciation. By the end, you’ll be ready to lead a class, manage your time, and connect with learners from around the world.

Understand how people learn a second language
Use theories of language learning in real lessons
Create strong lesson plans with clear goals and activities
Teach key language skills like speaking, listening, and pronunciation
Manage classroom behavior and avoid burnout
Use warm-up tasks to engage students at the start of class
Apply best practices for grammar, vocabulary, and student feedback
Design lessons that are easy to follow and fun to teach
Use technology to support and improve learning
Write and share your own teaching tips and reflections

❓FAQs

No, this course is made for beginners. You don’t need any teaching background or prior experience to get started.

Most learners finish the course in about 3 months if they study around 10 hours per week. You can go faster or slower based on your schedule.

Yes, you’ll earn a shareable certificate from Arizona State University when you finish all parts of the specialization.

Yes, everything is fully online. You can study from anywhere, anytime, using your computer or mobile device.

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