ESOL Basics: Instructional Strategies
4 weeks | 16 hours
This course is designed for adult educators who are new to teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) either in the classroom or through one-to-one tutoring sessions. ESOL is a term often used synonymously with ESL, or ELA (English language acquisition). For consistency, we use the term ESOL in this course but recognize that some programs may use other terms.
Through participation in this online course, you will learn
- characteristics of adult ESOL learners and how adults learn another language
- effective instructional methods of teaching English to speakers of other languages
This course is taught entirely online, meaning that you can learn at your convenience from the comfort of your own home or office. However, it is crucial that you keep pace with the weekly assignments and due dates. The course runs four weeks, and each week you are expected to read, participate in the Discussion Board, and complete other assignments. Facilitators, available to help you throughout the four-week course, lead you through the content and technical aspects of online learning.
Additionally, the course facilitators will hold an orientation session via Zoom that participants are encouraged to attend in order to learn more about using Canvas for learning and about the course materials and assignments. This will also give participants the opportunity to build community with themselves and the facilitator prior to the start of the course!
Weekly Lessons
- Characteristics of adult ESOL learners and getting to know your learners
- Instructional Techniques and Approaches Part 1: Language teaching approaches and techniques for teaching speaking and listening skills
- Instructional Techniques and Approaches Part 2: Techniques for teaching reading and writing skills and strategies for effective adult ESOL instruction
- Putting it all together: Planning for your educational setting and future professional development opportunities
Course Expectations
Taking an online course requires a time commitment, internet access, and weekly participation. Please refer to the course syllabus before signing up for an online course. The syllabus covers the course schedule, outline, and requirements. In order to receive a certificate of completion, learners must submit all assignments on time. Learners that do not post for more than one week at any time during the course or who fall more than one week behind in their assignments, may be removed from the course and will be placed on “waiting list only” status for future online courses.