Pre-Certificate Course

Introduction to Advising in Language Learning

Take the introductory course today and learn about the fundamentals of promoting reflective dialogue.

Your gateway to starting the Certificate in Advising in Language Learning 5-part course.

Why take an introductory course in advising?

If you want to have better one-to-one conversations that genuinely support growth, this course is for you. Advising in Language Learning (ALL) offers practical, research-informed ways to help people think more deeply about their learning, goals, and decision-making—whether you are a language learner, a teacher, an advisor, or simply someone who works closely with others.

In this introductory course, you will learn how reflective dialogue can raise awareness, build confidence, and foster autonomy. The approach draws on ideas from humanistic counseling, coaching, mentoring, and reflective practice, and shows how these can be applied in a supportive, non-directive way. Rather than giving advice or solutions, you will learn how to listen more effectively, ask better questions, and create conversations that lead to insight and meaningful change.

This course is ideal if you want to:

  • take greater ownership of your own learning

  • support learners or colleagues more effectively in one-to-one settings

  • develop transferable communication skills for education, coaching, or professional contexts

  • explore the foundations of Advising in Language Learning before moving on to more advanced study

No prior knowledge of ALL is required, just curiosity about learning, dialogue, and human development.

Contents of the course

  • Learn about the fundamentals of advising in language learning (ALL).

  • Learn 12 basic advising strategies and six techniques that help you to conduct an advising session with learners

  • Understand the roles of advisors in promoting learner autonomy

Meet the instructors


Research Institute for Learner Autonomy Education

Kanda University of International Studies, Japan

RILAE: rilae@kuis.ac.jp