What’s included
- 30 hours of accredited TEFL/TESOL training
- A dedicated personal tutor from start to finish
- Personal marking and written feedback on every assignment
- Free digital certificate on completion (ACTDEC accredited)
- Access to our interactive online learning platform
- Study at your own pace, 100% online
- Access to our online teacher resource library
- Optional hard-copy ACTDEC certificate available
- 14-day money-back guarantee
Course overview
This course covers some of the key areas in the study of linguistics, including sociolinguistics and areas of applied linguistics, with practical ideas to help you think about how the English language can best be learned and taught.
You’ll consider language acquisition and development from various viewpoints, as well as investigate how technology is aiding teaching in this field. Includes links to video clips outlining some of the key concepts in this area, along with audio and written materials so you can study and learn at your own pace. Targeted questions help you develop your own understanding of the different schools of thought on linguistics. Comes with full tutorial support throughout.
Within the field of sociolinguistics, we look specifically at multilingual speech communities and language variation. Under the heading of applied linguistics, we consider pragmatics, how languages can best be learned and taught, as well as how we use technology to assist us. Further specific sections cover a brief history of linguistics, the structural aspects of English, alongside language development and acquisition.
What is the difference between the 120, 150 and 250 hour courses?
| Course | Hours | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 120-hour TEFL / TESOL | 120 | First certificate, studied online. |
| 150-hour Advanced TEFL / TESOL | 150 | The 120-hour core plus extra grammar, phonology and online teaching. |
| 250-hour TEFL / TESOL | 250 | Adds phonetics, IELTS teaching and inclusion. |
Not sure? Take the 2-minute course quiz.
A 30 hour online TESOL course that is ideal as an introduction to the field of linguistics for English language teaching, or for anyone considering further study in this area.
Interactive: PC/Mac/tablet compatible. Work on our interactive platform. Good internet access required.
KEY FEATURES
- 30 hours of course materials and video
- Focus on learning how English can be better learned and taught
- Specific concentration of sociolinguistics and applied linguistics
- Personal, dedicated tutor support + 6 months for completion
- Access to student forum and online teaching resources
- Assistance with CV and access to our jobs board
- Free 30 hour Intro to Linguistics for TESOL certificate (PDF) on completion
- Study online from tablet/computer or offline
IDEAL IF:
- You are interested in linguistics and how this can improve your teaching
How it works
This course is for teaching English abroad or online. Already qualified, or want observed teaching practice? See our specialist TESOL courses.
- Enrol onlinePay securely by card and get instant access.
- Study the modulesWork through the 30 hours at your own pace, on a computer or tablet.
- Submit work for feedbackSend assignments to your tutor and use the comments to improve.
- Download your certificateFinish the course, collect your TEFL/TESOL certificate, and start applying.
The interactive course runs in your browser on a computer or tablet: shorter modules, assignments marked by your tutor, and a student forum.
Course syllabus
What you’ll study
6 interactive modules on what linguistics is, how language is structured, sociolinguistics, applied linguistics and acquisition.
What language isCI · M1–M3
| Module | Topic | What you’ll cover |
|---|---|---|
| CI | Course introductionGetting started: linguistics. | Getting started: linguistics. |
| M1 | LinguisticsIntroduction to linguistics. | Introduction to linguistics. |
| M2 | History of linguisticsKey movements and language teaching. | Key movements and language teaching. |
| M3 | Language structureMorphology, syntax, lexis, semantics and etymology. | Morphology, syntax, lexis, semantics and etymology. |
Society and applied linguisticsM4–M6
| Module | Topic | What you’ll cover |
|---|---|---|
| M4 | SociolinguisticsMultilingual communities, variation, language and power. | Multilingual communities, variation, language and power. |
| M5 | Applied linguisticsWhat applied linguistics is and why it matters in class. | What applied linguistics is and why it matters in class. |
| M6 | Acquisition and developmentLearning languages, and corpus linguistics. | Learning languages, and corpus linguistics. |
PracticeReview · LP · Conclusion
| Module | Topic | What you’ll cover |
|---|---|---|
| CR1 | Linguistics course review ReflectReview of the linguistics material. | Review of the linguistics material. |
| LP1 | Linguistics lesson plan Lesson planPlan a linguistics lesson. | Plan a linguistics lesson. |
| CC | Course conclusionCertification and survey. | Certification and survey. |
Certificates
A Global English PDF certificate is awarded upon successful completion. A printed, embossed version is also available for an extra fee from our TEFL shop page.
Click on the certificate to enlarge.
Ready to start? Enrol today.
Frequently asked questions
Is this 30-hour course accredited?
Yes. Global English was established in 1997 and has been ACTDEC-accredited since 2004. Every certificate carries a unique student certificate number and the logo of our accrediting body, ACTDEC. An optional hard-copy ACTDEC certificate is also available on successful completion.
How long does the course take, and how long do I have to complete it?
The 30-hour course is fully self-paced and studied entirely online, so you can work as quickly or as gradually as you like. Most students finish in a few weeks of part-time study, and you have several months of access. Extensions are available.
Do I need a degree or teaching experience to enrol?
You do not need a degree. This is a specialist course rather than a first qualification, so it assumes you already hold an initial TEFL/TESOL certificate, or are taking one alongside it. If you are starting from scratch, begin with our 120-hour TESOL Premier certificate and add this course to it.
Is there a real tutor, or is everything automated?
Both, and deliberately so. The quick knowledge checks as you work through each module mark themselves the moment you answer, so you find out straight away whether something has landed. The work that actually shows your teaching ability, the written tasks, the reflections and the final lesson plan, goes to a real, qualified personal tutor who reads it and writes you individual feedback. A machine can tell you that you picked the right answer; only a tutor can tell you whether your lesson would work with a real class.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is continuous and coursework-based. You complete written assignments and practical tasks that you submit online for your personal tutor to mark. There is no final exam and no fixed exam date, so you progress at your own pace.
What certificate will I receive?
On successful completion you receive a Global English digital (PDF) certificate free of charge, showing your unique student certificate number and the ACTDEC accreditation logo. Employers can check it online at global-english.com/verify/. A printed ACTDEC-accredited certificate can be ordered as an optional extra.
Will this qualification help me get a teaching job?
An ACTDEC-accredited TEFL/TESOL qualification is a common entry requirement for teaching English abroad and online. This course adds a named specialist skill to your CV.
How do I pay, and is there a guarantee?
You can enrol securely online and start straight away. We accept payment by card (Visa and Mastercard) through Stripe. Every online course is covered by our 14-day money-back guarantee, so you can begin completely risk-free.
What do I need to study this course?
A reliable internet connection and a PC, Mac or tablet. The course runs in your browser on our online learning platform, and your place is saved as you go, so you can stop mid-module and pick up later on a different device. There is nothing to install and nothing to post back to us. This course is studied online only. There is no downloadable offline version of it.
Is this specialist course enough on its own to get a teaching job?
No. It is an add-on. Take it with our 120-hour course.
What our students say
The tutors and staff are genuinely excellent - knowledgeable, responsive, and encouraging at every step.
I feel that my teaching has improved greatly through this course and feel ready to progress in my teaching.
Their timely feedback and support were invaluable. They were always available to answer my questions.
Read Global English reviews TEFL Course Review
A Global English PDF certificate entitled Introduction to Linguistics for TESOL is awarded free of charge upon successful completion.
Click on the certificates to enlarge.
