Join Scott Thornbury and a group of like-minded ELT professionals in this reading and discussion course focused on both classic and unconventional approaches to language teaching, and implications for the classroom.
In this discussion-based course, participants will explore Scott Thornbury’s 30 Language Teaching Methods—a lively overview of both classic and unconventional approaches to language teaching. Each session invites teachers to read selected chapters, share insights, and reflect on how these methods challenge current practices. Through conversation and discussion in a private forum, we’ll unpack the historical roots, underlying beliefs, and potential relevance of "lost" or overlooked techniques such as translation, rote learning, and immersion. The course offers an engaging way to rediscover the creativity and diversity of language teaching through shared reading and dialogue.
Each week teachers will be expected to read one section of the book in preparation for a live discussion. There will also be online discussion in a private forum based on the content of the book.
Part A: Natural Methods
Part B: Linguistic Methods
Part C: Communicative Methods
Part D: Visionaries
Part E: Self-study Methods
Part F: Beyond Methods
Live session dates: April 12, 19, 26, and May 3, 10, 17
Time: 09:00-10:00 UTC.
Recordings will be available for participants.
Cost: 280 USD*
*Receipts for research funds, etc., can be provided on request
Required book: In this course we will explore Scott Thornbury's 30 Language Teaching Methods (Cambridge, 2017). Participants are expected to have a copy of this book before the beginning of the course, and be prepared to read one chapter each week in preparation for live sessions.
Registration includes the six live sessions and unlimited discussions each week in a private forum. Upon successful completion of the course participants will have an option to receive a Certificate of Achievement.
About iTDi Great Minds in Language Education Courses
iTDi Great Minds in Language Education courses bring up to 30 teachers together in our user-friendly iTDi online classroom every Sunday, and then continue throughout the week – sharing, discussing and reflecting in a private, but vibrant, online community.
As a registered participant, don’t worry if you have to miss a live class or if the time for the live sessions doesn't work well for your time zone. You’ll receive weekly recordings of each class, full transcripts of the text chat during class, assigned readings and a PDF of the PowerPoint slides. Furthermore, the online community will certainly become a wealth of ideas and information, and will remain private and online for your use anytime in the future.
Scholarships
iTDi believes that all teachers deserve the same opportunity to improve themselves. From our experience, teachers who pay something towards a course more often make greater effort and are more likely to complete the course. Therefore, we do encourage teachers to pay something toward the course if at all possible. We prioritize partial scholarships, but a limited number of full scholarships will also be available for this course. Please apply through our scholarship application. Scholarship applications will awarded March 1, 2026 (six weeks before the course).
