Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/tesol-speaking
Are you an aspiring English teacher or looking to enhance your skills in teaching the crucial areas of listening, speaking, and pronunciation to second language learners? If so, the Coursera course “Teach English Now! Second Language Listening, Speaking, and Pronunciation” is an absolute gem that I highly recommend. This comprehensive course delves deep into the intricacies of these often-challenging aspects of language acquisition, providing practical strategies and a solid theoretical foundation.
The course begins by demystifying the difficulties faced by learners in listening comprehension. It introduces concepts like paralinguistics, performance variables, and reduced forms, explaining not only what they are but also how they impact learning. The syllabus clearly outlines how the initial modules focus on the ‘Basic Principles of Listening’ and then move on to actionable ‘Listening Strategies.’ These strategies are beneficial for both teachers looking to simplify listening tasks for their students and for learners aiming to take more control of their own listening development.
Transitioning to speaking, the course adeptly addresses the cognitive, social, and affective demands that make oral production difficult for second language learners. It doesn’t shy away from the struggles teachers encounter when providing speaking instruction. The ‘Speaking Strategies’ module is particularly valuable, offering practical techniques for learners to improve their fluency and confidence, and for teachers to implement effective speaking activities in the classroom.
One of the most powerful takeaways from this course is its emphasis on integrating pronunciation into listening and speaking classes. The ‘Teaching Pronunciation’ module is a revelation, highlighting common pronunciation barriers and providing strategies to overcome them. It brilliantly shows how existing teaching techniques can be adapted and applied to pronunciation instruction, making it an accessible and integral part of language learning.
Finally, the ‘Assessment’ module ensures that learners have a firm grasp of the material through review videos and a checkpoint quiz, complemented by a peer review assignment that fosters collaborative learning.
Overall, “Teach English Now! Second Language Listening, Speaking, and Pronunciation” is an exceptionally well-structured and informative course. It equips educators with the knowledge and tools to effectively guide their students in developing essential communication skills. Whether you’re new to teaching English or seeking to refine your expertise, this course is a worthwhile investment in your professional development.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/tesol-speaking