There is a growing need for more teachers qualified to work with English language learners. Providing the right support to students who are new to the English language can mean the difference between them making the gains they need or falling far behind their English-speaking peers.
Since every student learns differently, teachers will need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills they’ll need to reach a diverse group of learners. Finding the right online TESOL courses can help provide you with the information and strategies you’ll need to make a difference in the lives of so many children.
That’s why…
We have compiled a list of 11 of the best TESOL online courses to help you determine which course will best meet your learning needs.
If you’ve considered becoming a TESOL teacher, you’ll need to complete adequate training to be considered for a position working with children. Depending on the requirements of the state you teach in or your employer, you may need to take up to 120 hours of courses from an accredited institution or pass a variety of assessments.
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. TESOL Certificate, Part 1: Teach English Now! Specialization (Coursera) |  Primary Pick |
Language Acquisition
|
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| 2. TESOL Certificate, Part 2: Teach English Now! Specialization (Coursera) |   Concept Building |
Deepen Understanding
|
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| 3. Arizona State University TESOL Professional Certificate (Coursera) |   Building Skillsets |
Effective Teaching
|
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| 4. TESOL Teacher Training: 2nd Language Acquisition (Udemy) |   Learning Theories |
Analyze Challenges
|
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| 5. TESOL - Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (Udemy) | Skills Improvement |
Starting A New Job
|
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11 Best Online TESOL Courses
- TESOL Certificate, Part 1: Teach English Now! Specialization (Coursera)
- TESOL Certificate, Part 2: Teach English Now! Specialization (Coursera)
- Arizona State University TESOL Professional Certificate (Coursera)
- TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA) (Udemy)
- TESOL – Teaching of English as a Second Language (Udemy)
- TESOL Certificate: Advanced Practitioner (TESOL International Association)
- Online TESOL Certification (UNI-Prep Institute)
- Level 5 TESOL Master Upgrade (Global English)
- Diploma of TESOL (Reed.co.uk)
- Online Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) Course (Reed.co.uk)
- Introduction to Applied Linguistics and TESOL (University of Leicester)
1. TESOL Certificate, Part 1: Teach English Now! Specialization (Coursera)
Part 1 of the TESOL Certificate, Teach English Now! Specialization is offered by Arizona State University.
The specialization is broken down into four separate courses: Teach English Now! Foundational Principals, Teach English Now! Theories of Second Language Acquisition, Teach English Now! Lesson Design and Assessment, and Teach English Now! Capstone Project 1.
The goal of the courses is to help participants learn more about how children acquire language, how to create lesson plans to meet the needs of English language learners, how to teach and assess a student’s listening, speaking, and pronunciation, and more. Once this specialization has been completed, you can choose to sign up for part 2, also offered through Coursera.
Duration: About 6 months
You Will Learn
- How to design lesson plans to meet the needs of English language learners
- Ways to teach and assess speaking, pronunciation, and listening
- Classroom management strategies
- How to select appropriate materials to use for instruction
User Feedback: “Great course! Nice content and great presentation of the material. Useful not only for ESL teachers but for all language teachers and even for teachers in general. Thank you for creating this course!”
Best For: Teachers who would like to gain the knowledge and skills needed to support English language learners.
2. TESOL Certificate, Part 2: Teach English Now! Specialization (Coursera)
Like part 1, part 2 of the Teach English Now! Specialization is also offered by Arizona State University through Coursera. The courses in this specialization are designed to build on the concepts, ideas, and strategies shared in part 1 of the specialization.
This specialization is made up of four courses: Teach English Now! Second Language Reading, Writing, and Grammar, Teach English Now! Second Language Listening, Speaking, and Pronunciation, Teach English Now! Technology Enriched Teaching, and Teach English Now! Capstone Project 2.
Duration: About 6 months
You Will Learn
- How to help English language learners develop grammar skills
- How to support common writing challenges
- How to work through common challenges associated with teaching listening and speaking skills to students
- How to integrate technology into instruction
User Feedback: “In my personal opinion, what we get from ASU and Coursera is just priceless, personally all courses I have taken, helped me to achieve my goals and enhance the way I normally teach, also with the new methodology updates, I have incorporated new teaching techniques. Learning through this system is just amazing, and sometimes we are not aware of our own potential.”
Best For: Teachers looking to deepen their understanding of the ways to best reach their English language learners.
3. Arizona State University TESOL Professional Certificate (Coursera)
The TESOL Professional Certificate offered through Arizona State University is designed to help individuals build on their skill sets and gain the knowledge they need to effectively instruct English language learners. The certificate program consists of eight different courses.
Some of the courses include: Teach English Now! Foundational Principals, Teach English Now! Lesson Design and Assessment, Teach English Now! Second Language Reading, Writing, and Grammar, and Teach English Now! Technology Enriched Learning.
Each course takes place completely online. Participants will receive a certificate they can share or add to the resume once they complete the program.
Duration: About 12 months
You Will Learn
- How to create lesson plans that meet the needs of English language learners
- Strategies for implementing lesson plans to excite and engage students
- How to assess and teach speaking, pronunciation, and listening
- How to teach reading and writing to English language learners
- How to use technology during instruction to benefit students
User Feedback: “Simply amazing. Loved every single minute of it. I feel a much better teacher, I’ve learned how to see resources to give a better class as well as offer my students better practices of learning.”
Best For: Individuals looking to become an English teacher in the United States or another county.
4. TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition (SLA) (Udemy)
Experienced, new, and even future educators may be interested in taking the TESOL Teacher Training: Second Language Acquisition Course from Udemy.
The course is designed to educate participants about different educational learning theories around acquiring a second language. Participants will learn about each theory, analyze potential challenges with the theory, and discuss how the theory could benefit their planning, instruction, and classroom management.
Duration: 2 hours and 49 minutes
You Will Learn
- The key takeaways of different learning theories around acquiring a second language
- The different roles each educational theory may play within a classroom setting
- How to create strategies to use in your classroom based on each of the learning theories
- Potential problems with using different theories in the classroom
User Feedback: “This course was better than what I was expecting. Very interesting, informative, and with many valuable examples and reflections. I highly recommend it.”
Best For: Any educators who are looking to learn more about different educational theories and examine how they could benefit their instruction.
5. TESOL – Teaching of English as a Second Language (Udemy) →
The Teaching of English as a Second Language course from Udemy is designed to help ESL teachers improve their skills to help them teach English language learners in their classes.
The course is broken down into seven main sections: Teaching Reading, Teaching Writing, Teaching Listening, Teaching Speaking, Teaching Vocabulary, Teaching Grammar, and Classroom Management.
Information is also shared on writing resumes, interviewing for ESL teaching positions, getting prepared to teach English in another country, and starting a new job.
Duration: 8 hours and 22 minutes
You Will Learn
- How to teach reading, writing, speaking, and listening
- How to set up a classroom to best meet the needs of all learners
- How to address and manage behavior issues in the classroom
- The benefits of collaborating with colleagues
- How to prepare a resume and interview for a new job working with English language learners.
User Feedback: “I thoroughly appreciated the class. The presenter was detailed in providing information to help us become better prepared for teaching ESL whether a beginner or seasoned teacher.”
Best For: Any current or future ESL teachers who are looking to improve their instruction and the strategies they use to educate their students.
6. TESOL Certificate: Advanced Practitioner (TESOL International Association) →
The TESOL International Association offers the TESOL Certificate: Advanced Practitioner program to help teachers who work with English language learners grow and expand on their skills.
The program includes instruction around creating and implementing lesson plans, selecting and using effective instructional strategies, and how to explore and share new learning with others. The course is self-paced and learners will receive a letter of completion once they have finished all the required content.
Duration: Self-paced, you will have up to one year to complete the program
You Will Learn
- How to write effective lesson plans
- Which strategies are most effective for implementing a lesson plan
- More in-depth information about a given area of TESOL
- How to design a unit of instruction for students
User Feedback: “I would recommend this program to any ELT professional who is looking for a unique PD program.”
Best For: Individuals looking for a TESOL program that they can complete around their own schedule.
7. Online TESOL Certification (UNI-Prep Institute) →
The UNI-Prep Institute’s TESOL Certification takes place completely online. The program is self-paced and there are no set deadlines or class times, allowing you the flexibility to work when it fits in your schedule.
This course is broken down into 10 units that are designed to help provide participants with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to teach English to non-English speaking students. After completing the course, which typically takes between 2 and 4 weeks, you will be able to choose whether you receive a TESOL or TEFL certificate.
Duration: 120 hours
You Will Learn
- How to teach reading, writing, and vocabulary to English language learners
- How to assess student learning
- Strategies for classroom management
- How to plan and implement quality lessons to meet the needs of all learners
User Feedback: “Uni-Prep Institute is first-rate. The TESOL Diploma program features excellent teachers who help you master teaching strategies and develop skills on your feet in the classroom. I have learned just how valuable this training is and I am delighted to recommend them.”
Best For: Individuals looking to become an ESL teacher and work in another country
8. Level 5 TESOL Master Upgrade (Global English) →
The Level 5 TESOL Master Upgrade is the most advanced TESOL qualification offered by Global English. With a level 5 qualification on your resume, you will be ahead of other applicants, which can make you look more appealing to potential employers.
The course can be taken online through Global English’s interactive website, or offline through Microsoft Word and PDF resources.
Duration: 100-130 hours, up to 18 months to complete
You Will Learn
- Why and how different nationalities have trouble pronouncing some English words
- How different sounds are produced with our vocal tracts
- Why intonation and stress are so important when pronouncing words
- Various respected approaches for teaching language to students
User Feedback: “The course was brilliantly thorough and informative without overloading me with unnecessary information. The website is always being updated with news of careers and improvements. Everything was absolutely balanced to perfection and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Best For: Native English speakers or non-native speakers who have strong English skills that would like to acquire the skills needed to help English language learners succeed and learn.
9. Diploma of TESOL (Reed.co.uk) →
In this self-paced course from Reed.co.uk, participants will gain the skills and knowledge they need to teach English as a second language to students in a variety of settings.
The course covers numerous concepts including helping students improve their listening, speaking, and writing skills, assessing student learning, lesson planning, and classroom management strategies. After finishing the coursework, students will receive a certificate of completion.
Duration: Self-paced
You Will Learn
- How to plan effective lessons for English language learners
- Effective instructional strategies to use with students learning English
- Visual aids and games that can help students
- Classroom management techniques
- How to help students develop speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills
User Feedback: “Useful courses, accessible to all”
Best For: Individuals looking to teach English language learners in public schools, business corporations, language institutes, or as a tutor in the United States or another country.
10. Online Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) Course (Reed.co.uk) →
Online Teaching English as a Second Language Course from Reed.co.uk is designed to help prepare learners to become English teachers to meet the needs of students acquiring the English language.
The course is broken down into 6 modules that will help learners gain the skills they’ll need to give students the tools they need to interact with others by speaking in English. Instruction also focuses on teaching methods that are most beneficial for helping students learning English as a second language.
Duration: Self-paced, one year
You Will Learn
- The advantages of being bi- or multi-lingual
- What the six categories of spoken communication are
- How to plan for instruction and develop objectives
- Explain the importance of language
- Examine how methods of teaching language have changed and developed over time.
User Feedback: “They had plenty of courses to choose from. Laid out easily to read and understand.”
Best For: Individuals looking to enhance their resume and skill set by gaining knowledge and experience working with English language learners.
11. Introduction to Applied Linguistics and TESOL (University of Leicester) →
This course from the University of Leicester is designed to provide participants with an introduction to applied linguistics. Throughout the course lectures, learners will have the opportunity to examine forensic linguistics, language assessments, and other real-world examples of applied linguistics.
The course is broken down into various case studies where students will have the opportunity to see how applied linguistic research methods can help solve a variety of problems.
Duration: 6 weeks
You Will Learn
- What applied linguistics is
- The role applied linguistics plays in the real-world
- How applied linguistics has helped to reduce gender bias related to language
- What the job of an applied linguist is
User Feedback: “The course offers a very interesting, engaging, and very manageable introduction to applied linguistics. Different perspectives, considerations and reflections are explored through a variety of types of tasks and materials.”
Best For: Individuals looking to learn more about applied linguistics and see how it can be used in different fields.
English as a second language teacher is an essential part of nearly every school. They help ensure that English language learners can access the curriculum and provide them with the necessary supports and scaffolds that are needed.
The need for TESOL teachers only continues to grow, not only in the United States but across the world.
As the video shares, travel, tourism, entertainment, worldwide businesses, and other factors have increased the need to instruct students in the English language.
Whether you’re currently an educator or are just preparing to become one, chances are you already have a full schedule. Finding the time to attend in-person classes is not easy. And, frankly, in today’s world, it isn’t necessary.
Online classes and programs have come a long way over the years, and you can learn just as much from an online class as you can from an in-person, on-campus course. Online courses are much more flexible, so you can find time to work around your other commitments.
Closing Remarks
TESOL teachers have a very important job as they work to ensure that English language learners have equal access to the curriculum. If you’re considering becoming a TESOL teacher, we hope our list of course recommendations has helped to provide you with some insight regarding where you should get started.
Continued professional development and learning are important for all educators. If you’re looking for some other courses to help you learn more about how you can best meet the needs of all your students, some ideas to consider include blended learning online courses and early childhood development online courses. You can also find suggestions for TEFL courses in our TEFL article.
Last Updated on May 13, 2022 by Emily
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