telecourse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical, Educational
Quick answer
What does “telecourse” mean?
A course of study delivered via television broadcasts, typically for distance learning.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A course of study delivered via television broadcasts, typically for distance learning.
Any educational program or series of lessons designed to be taught primarily through television, often including supplementary printed materials and sometimes online components. Historically associated with broadcast TV, now also encompasses video-based courses delivered via cable, satellite, or streaming services.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more commonly used and institutionalised in American English, particularly in historical contexts of public broadcasting and community college systems. In British English, 'television course' or 'distance learning course' might be more frequent generic terms.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can carry a slightly dated connotation, hearkening back to the mid-to-late 20th century before the internet became dominant for distance education. In the US, it may specifically recall PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) or community college initiatives.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary everyday British English. Low but recognisable in American academic/educational contexts, especially when discussing the history of distance education.
Grammar
How to Use “telecourse” in a Sentence
[Student] enrolled in a telecourse on [Subject].[Institution] offers a telecourse via [Channel/Platform].The telecourse covers [Topic].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “telecourse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The university decided to telecourse the entire anthropology series.
- They plan to telecourse the lectures for remote students.
American English
- The community college will telecourse its most popular classes next semester.
- We telecoursed the curriculum to reach rural areas.
adverb
British English
- The lessons were delivered telecourse, requiring students to watch at scheduled times.
- She studied telecourse, balancing it with her full-time job.
American English
- The class was taught telecourse, with exams taken at a local centre.
- He completed his degree almost entirely telecourse.
adjective
British English
- The telecourse materials were mailed to students weekly.
- She preferred the telecourse format for its flexibility.
American English
- He enrolled in a telecourse program for working adults.
- The telecourse option saved her a long commute.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in the context of corporate training history or educational technology (EdTech) discussions.
Academic
Primary context. Used in education studies, history of pedagogy, and descriptions of distance learning programmes.
Everyday
Very rare. An older person might recall 'taking a telecourse' in the 1980s.
Technical
Used in educational technology, media studies, and instructional design to describe a specific genre of educational delivery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “telecourse”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “telecourse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “telecourse”
- Confusing it with a 'teleconference' (a meeting) or 'teleseminar'. Using it to refer to any online learning module, which is more precisely a 'webinar' or 'e-learning module'. Misspelling as 'tele-course' (hyphenated form is less standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A telecourse is a specific type of distance learning course delivered via television broadcasts. An online course is delivered via the internet. While both are distance learning methods, a telecourse is older and tied to TV technology. Modern courses are almost exclusively online, though some may use recorded videos in a similar way.
Historically, yes, many accredited institutions offered telecourses for credit, especially in the US. Students would watch lessons, complete assignments from a mailed study guide, and take proctored exams at a local testing centre. Today, credit-bearing courses are typically delivered as online courses instead.
Common subjects included introductory college-level courses like Psychology, History, English Composition, Mathematics, and Business. They were ideal for standardised subjects that could be taught to a large, dispersed audience. Hands-on or lab-based subjects were less common.
It is used primarily in historical or specific technical discussions about the evolution of distance education. In contemporary language, 'online course', 'video course', 'MOOC', or 'distance learning module' have largely replaced it. You might encounter it in older institutional literature or when discussing legacy programmes.
A course of study delivered via television broadcasts, typically for distance learning.
Telecourse is usually formal, technical, educational in register.
Telecourse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛlɪkɔːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛləˌkɔːrs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TELEvision that gives you a full COURSE of study = TELECOURSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A BROADCAST (knowledge is transmitted one-way to a dispersed audience).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a telecourse?