The online education platform WizIQ is to launch a language learning Massive Open Online Course—a sign of a growing trend for MOOCs to be used in the language space.
The US firm’s ELT Techniques: Vocabulary MOOC will offer professional development for language teachers via a free four-week online course starting at the end of July. It follows the launch of a similar course by the start-up Instreamia in April.
The course will be led by Fluency MC, best known for his use of rap music as a teaching medium
WizIQ’s MOOC will be delivered live online through the firm’s “Virtual Classroom” software, reportedly used by 220,000 teachers worldwide. As with any MOOC participants can engage with their teachers, each other and course content.
Adding to its pulling power, the firm has co-opted a range of respected ELT professionals as teachers led by Jason R. Levine – better known as Fluency MC for his use of rap music as a teaching medium. A certificate of completion is also available at the end of the course, and 1,240 learners are already signed up according to WizIQ’s website.
Since their inception MOOCs have focused on higher education, but they are now starting to be used in other capacities. In 2012, the Open University piloted its eight-week OT12 MOOC in Open Translation, while in January, Instreamia launched what it markets as the first ever Spanish-learning MOOC, using pop culture content and applications such as Google Hangouts.
It has since progressed to other languages, as well as starting its Language Teaching MOOC, a teacher training course. Others such as Pearltrees and Eco English are also active in the space.
WizIQ‘s move into MOOCs should encourage others to get involved given the firm’s stature. The platform can be used by educators of all stripes to deliver virtual courses and has been used by three million learners worldwide, according to the company.
