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Our World-Class TESOL-40 Course

Practical teacher training built around dynamic, brain-based methods

Elevate your teaching with a course that focuses on what matters most: teaching methods. TESOL-40 is a dynamic, video-based program built from the success of CIE’s in-person training and designed to give you 40 brain-based methods that can help make lessons more engaging, memorable, and effective.

Through short, focused video lessons, you will learn 40 practical language-teaching methods and strategies—explained clearly, grounded in brain-based learning principles, and demonstrated through classroom examples.

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These are the techniques that help teachers bring energy to lessons, keep learners actively involved, and support progress through purposeful interaction.

Continue Your Development

TESOL-40: Certificate in TESOL - practical training in 40 brain-based teaching methods
TESOL-120: Advanced Certificate in TESOL - advanced training in lesson planning, phonetics, classroom skills, and evaluated teaching practice
Degree: Experience-based route available now; new full study-based program in development

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TESOL-40 is a strong starting point for teachers who want practical methods and a flexible introduction to TESOL. Graduates who want more advanced preparation can continue to TESOL-120.

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ENROLL TODAY!

*Prices are in USD. Upon completion of the program, graduates will receive their certification by email. Purchase provides access to online content for a 6 month period. Continued access beyond that is available on a monthly basis.

Course Features

- Video lessons from lead instructor Harry Cotton
- Additional classroom video clips demonstrating methods in action
- A dynamic catalog of teaching methods (searchable by method or language skill)
- Online tutor support / chat as you work through the course

Eligibility Requirements

- Education: Completion of high school or equivalent (including home schooling).
- English proficiency: You should be able to speak, read, and write English fluently.
- Background: Open to students from all backgrounds and career stages.
- Non-native speakers: Non-native English speakers with strong English skills are welcome.

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I came into this course with years of firsthand experience observing learners, but without a scientific understanding of why some of the approaches I had seen—or instinctively used myself—were effective. This course taught me 40 scientifically supported ways that language can be learned, organized around five strategies: talking less, movement, timing, humor, and the power of music. What the course gave me was the why. The course did not simply give me more information to remember; it gave me practical strategies that I can continue using, adapting, and developing.

-Yinndra, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I really enjoyed the course! I wish I had such instruction while I was still in school! The explanations coupled with examples and exercises helped retain the information. I'm using this information even now while I'm working as a substitute. I'm glad I made to the decision to learn from CIE.

-Stacy, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I sincerely appreciate the way this course promotes excitement, confidence in teaching, and how it explains why keeping students engaged both mentally and physically improves learning retention. The methods were engaging and the neuroscience behind them was clearly explained. I feel it reignited my love of learning, and I will likely end up using these methods for myself in my own language learning endeavors.

-Mandolin, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

What I enjoyed most about this course was the thorough explanation of each teaching method as well as the interjection of science and social based information that helped make the connection to the real world and how effective these methods are. Additionally, having the job posting board was really amazing as it gave me many more suggestions for places to look for teaching jobs that I wouldn't have found on my own.

-Selena, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I have learned so much and feel like I'm ready to start a new working and teaching journey.

-Crystal, Colombia, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

Really enjoyed this excellent course - so practical and inspiring. These dynamic techniques are simple but revolutionary compared to how languages are STILL being traditionally taught in the classroom. I have used these techniques as a student learning foreign languages and also to teach others, and the contrast in atmosphere with a traditional class is incredible. Thank you!

-Georgia, Spain, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I would like to thank you for this wonderful educational journey. I have been able to immediately apply what I was learning with my students, and I have experienced a tremendous growth in enthusiasm -both in me and in my students - as well as a significant improvement in the speed of learning. Everyone is happy to learn, and I have even been given more online classes to teach. I can’t even stay seated during my lessons anymore! I really enjoyed the dynamic pace of the entire course, with its short but very practical videos and useful exercises that helped me come out of my shell. Thank you very much once again.

-Viviana, Italy, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I loved the way Cotton presented the material - it has helped me grow in my knowledge, ability and mostly confidence in being animated, humorous and engaging in class. A month ago I had a student who told me that she retained more in my few 30 minute classes than in the last year of Duolingo!
-Cathy, Canada, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I learned to teach with 40 great methods and now I think I am ready to start teaching in English and French. I really recommend this curriculum.

-Naomi, Canada, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

This course was clear, simple, and to the point but what I enjoyed most was how long it resonates with you. The methods keep me awake and also teach me how to teach myself better. I can not help but be enthused and excited to teach someone else!

-Kashis, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

This course met my expectations because it not only explained the lessons, but also provided extra information, videos, and some class recordings. I really appreciate that you gave tips for job interviews and how to make money in different ways. It gave me a lot of ideas.

-Hali, Mexico, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I would like to express my appreciation for the excellent course. The information presented really offered me a fresh perspective on both language teaching and language learning. I appreciated the short, but impactful videos. The additional downloads are also very helpful. One of my favorite features of the course was the video clips. Being able to see live demonstrations of the methods was incredibly useful.
-Crystal

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I came into this course with years of firsthand experience observing learners, but without a scientific understanding of why some of the approaches I had seen—or instinctively used myself—were effective. This course taught me 40 scientifically supported ways that language can be learned, organized around five strategies: talking less, movement, timing, humor, and the power of music. What the course gave me was the why. The course did not simply give me more information to remember; it gave me practical strategies that I can continue using, adapting, and developing.

-Yinndra, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I really enjoyed the course! I wish I had such instruction while I was still in school! The explanations coupled with examples and exercises helped retain the information. I'm using this information even now while I'm working as a substitute. I'm glad I made to the decision to learn from CIE.

-Stacy, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I sincerely appreciate the way this course promotes excitement, confidence in teaching, and how it explains why keeping students engaged both mentally and physically improves learning retention. The methods were engaging and the neuroscience behind them was clearly explained. I feel it reignited my love of learning, and I will likely end up using these methods for myself in my own language learning endeavors.

-Mandolin, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

What I enjoyed most about this course was the thorough explanation of each teaching method as well as the interjection of science and social based information that helped make the connection to the real world and how effective these methods are. Additionally, having the job posting board was really amazing as it gave me many more suggestions for places to look for teaching jobs that I wouldn't have found on my own.

-Selena, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I have learned so much and feel like I'm ready to start a new working and teaching journey.

-Crystal, Colombia, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

Really enjoyed this excellent course - so practical and inspiring. These dynamic techniques are simple but revolutionary compared to how languages are STILL being traditionally taught in the classroom. I have used these techniques as a student learning foreign languages and also to teach others, and the contrast in atmosphere with a traditional class is incredible. Thank you!

-Georgia, Spain, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I would like to thank you for this wonderful educational journey. I have been able to immediately apply what I was learning with my students, and I have experienced a tremendous growth in enthusiasm -both in me and in my students - as well as a significant improvement in the speed of learning. Everyone is happy to learn, and I have even been given more online classes to teach. I can’t even stay seated during my lessons anymore! I really enjoyed the dynamic pace of the entire course, with its short but very practical videos and useful exercises that helped me come out of my shell. Thank you very much once again.

-Viviana, Italy, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I loved the way Cotton presented the material - it has helped me grow in my knowledge, ability and mostly confidence in being animated, humorous and engaging in class. A month ago I had a student who told me that she retained more in my few 30 minute classes than in the last year of Duolingo!
-Cathy, Canada, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I learned to teach with 40 great methods and now I think I am ready to start teaching in English and French. I really recommend this curriculum.

-Naomi, Canada, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

This course was clear, simple, and to the point but what I enjoyed most was how long it resonates with you. The methods keep me awake and also teach me how to teach myself better. I can not help but be enthused and excited to teach someone else!

-Kashis, USA, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

This course met my expectations because it not only explained the lessons, but also provided extra information, videos, and some class recordings. I really appreciate that you gave tips for job interviews and how to make money in different ways. It gave me a lot of ideas.

-Hali, Mexico, 2026

GRADUATE COMMENTS

I would like to express my appreciation for the excellent course. The information presented really offered me a fresh perspective on both language teaching and language learning. I appreciated the short, but impactful videos. The additional downloads are also very helpful. One of my favorite features of the course was the video clips. Being able to see live demonstrations of the methods was incredibly useful.
-Crystal