How to learn JavaScript in 2024 – Complete Guide and Resources
Last updated: December, 2024 • 13 min read
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the best ways to learn JavaScript, from recommended books and courses to finding expert mentors who can accelerate your learning journey.
Before diving into learning JavaScript, a word of caution: While there are many resources available online, it's important to follow a structured learning path and avoid getting overwhelmed. Having a clear goal and roadmap will help you stay focused and make steady progress.
If you're looking for a more guided approach, you may want to check out our JavaScript mentors who can help create a personalized learning plan and provide expert guidance throughout your journey.
Getting started with JavaScript
In this guide, we'll cover:
- Learning Resources - Recommended books and online courses to build your JavaScript knowledge
- Expert Guidance - Finding mentors and joining communities
- Certifications - Professional certifications to validate your JavaScript skills
- Career Development - Building a portfolio and preparing for jobs
Let's explore each of these areas to help you create an effective learning path for mastering JavaScript.
How can I start learning JavaScript?
Getting started with JavaScript is very achievable with the right approach and resources. Here are some key steps to begin your learning journey:
- Start with fundamentals. Begin by learning the core concepts and principles of JavaScript. This builds a strong foundation for more advanced topics;
- Take online courses. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer structured JavaScript courses for beginners. These provide guided learning with hands-on practice;
- Read documentation and books. Official documentation and recommended books can deepen your understanding of JavaScript concepts;
- Connect with a mentor. Our experienced JavaScript mentors can create a personalized learning plan and guide you through your journey efficiently.
Can I learn JavaScript on my own?
While self-study is possible, having expert guidance can save you months of trial and error and help you avoid common pitfalls. Here's what to consider:
- Self-paced learning. Online resources and tutorials let you learn at your own speed, but it can be challenging to know if you're on the right track;
- Community support. Join online communities and forums to get help, though responses may vary in quality and accuracy;
- Professional mentorship. Working with a JavaScript mentor provides personalized feedback, industry insights, and accountability to keep you progressing;
- Structured approach. A mentor can create a customized learning path based on your goals and current skill level.
Can I learn JavaScript in one month?
While you can grasp basic concepts of JavaScript in a month with dedicated study, becoming proficient typically takes longer. Here's a realistic timeline:
- First month. Master fundamental concepts and basic principles of JavaScript;
- 3-6 months. Develop intermediate skills and work on increasingly complex projects;
- 6-12 months. Build advanced knowledge and professional-level expertise;
- Accelerated learning. Working with one of our expert JavaScript mentors can significantly speed up this timeline through focused guidance and industry best practices.
Learning Resources for JavaScript
One of the most effective ways to build a strong foundation in JavaScript is through carefully selected learning resources. Let's explore some key materials that can help you master this field.
Essential Reading Materials
Books remain one of the most comprehensive ways to learn JavaScript in depth. They provide structured knowledge and detailed explanations that are often missing from online tutorials. Here are some recommended reading approaches:
- Start with beginner-friendly books that introduce core concepts and fundamentals
- Progress to intermediate texts that cover more advanced topics and real-world applications
- Keep reference books handy for looking up specific concepts and techniques
Recommended Books for JavaScript
JavaScript: The Definitive Guide
For nearly 25 years this best seller has been the go-to guide for JavaScript programmers. The seventh edition is fully updated to cover the 2020 version of JavaScript, and new chapters cover classes, modules, iterators, generators, Promises, async/await, and metaprogramming. You’ll find illuminating and engaging example code throughout.
Eloquent JavaScript, 3rd Edition
This much anticipated and thoroughly revised third edition of Eloquent JavaScript dives deep into the JavaScript language to show you how to write beautiful, effective code. It has been updated to reflect the current state of JavaScript and web browsers and includes brand-new material on features like class notation, arrow functions, iterators, async functions, template strings, and block scop…
A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript
The author wrote the book and exercises especially for people who are new to programming. Making no assumptions about what you already know, the author walks you through JavaScript slowly, patiently. They explain every little thing in sixth-grade English and avoid unnecessary technical jargon like the plague.
Effective JavaScript
In order to truly master JavaScript, you need to learn how to work effectively with the language’s flexible, expressive features and how to avoid its pitfalls. No matter how long you’ve been writing JavaScript code, Effective JavaScript will help deepen your understanding of this powerful language, so you can build more predictable, reliable, and maintainable programs.
Online Learning Platforms
Online courses provide structured learning paths with hands-on practice. Here are some recommended platforms and course types:
- Interactive courses - Learn by doing with coding exercises and projects
- Video tutorials - Watch expert instructors explain concepts step-by-step
- Practice exercises - Reinforce learning through hands-on challenges
Recommended Courses for JavaScript
The Complete JavaScript Course 2020
Become an advanced, confident, and modern JavaScript developer from scratch. Build 6 beautiful real-world projects for your portfolio (not boring toy apps). Complex concepts like the 'this' keyword, higher-order functions, closures, etc. This best-selling course can truly take you from…
JavaScript 30
Beginner to Intermediate developers and designers who want to become comfortable with both JavaScript fundamentals and working in the DOM without a library. You should already know some JavaScript to start - This isn't a JavaScript 101 course. We learn by application - encountering many new…
JavaScript: Getting Started
JavaScript is the popular programming language which powers web pages and web applications. If you are new to programming or just new to the language, this course will get you started coding in JavaScript.
JavaScript: The Advanced Concepts
Learn modern advanced JavaScript practices and be amongst the top of JavaScript developers. Functional Programming, Inheritance + Prototype Chain, Asynchronous JavaScript + Event Loop and much more is included in this advanced best-selling JS course on Udemy by instructor Andrei Neagoie, who him…
Learning Communities and Support
Having the right support system is crucial for learning JavaScript. Here are some ways to get help:
- MentorCruise Community - Join our active community of learners and mentors to get support on your journey
- 1:1 Mentorship - Get personalized guidance from our expert JavaScript mentors
- Work Reviews - Have experienced JavaScript mentors review your work and provide detailed feedback
- Discussion Forums - Connect with peers to share knowledge and ask questions
Ready to accelerate your learning? Find a JavaScript mentor who can guide you through these steps and provide personalized support.
Expert Guidance
Learning JavaScript is more effective with expert guidance. Our mentors provide:
- Personalized Learning Plans - Get a customized roadmap based on your goals and current skill level
- Industry Best Practices - Learn professional standards and workflows
- Career Development - Get advice on job searching, resume building, and career advancement
Want more options? Browse all 142 JavaScript mentors to find the perfect match for your goals.
Professional Certifications
Earning certifications can validate your JavaScript skills and boost your career prospects. Here are some recommended certifications:
JavaScript Institute Certification
Hosted by javascriptinstitute.org
The JavaScript Institute offers you a JavaScript certification program designed by JavaScript experts. It will help you to comprehensively learn about JavaScript technology, as well as it will allow you to assess your programming skills and prove your competences. JavaScript is the most commonly…
JSA – Certified Associate JavaScript Programmer Certification
Hosted by js.institute
JSA – Certified Associate JavaScript Programmer certification is a professional credential that demonstrates the candidate’s proficiency in Object-Oriented Analysis, Design and Programming (OOA/OOD/OOP), as well as the more advanced use of functions in the JavaScript language.
Prices sta…
JSE – Certified Entry-Level JavaScript Programmer Certification
Hosted by js.institute
JSE – Certified Entry-Level JavaScript Programmer certification is a professional credential that demonstrates the candidate’s understanding of the JavaScript language core syntax and semantics, as well as their proficiency in using the most essential elements of the language, tools, and resourc…
Scaler JavaScript Course With Certification
Hosted by scaler.com
Kickstart your journey into web development with this free JavaScript course online with a certificate. Designed for beginners, this comprehensive JavaScript online course covers the essential concepts and skills needed to master Javascript, one of the most popular and widely used programming la…
Our mentors can help you prepare for these certifications through:
- Exam Preparation - Get structured guidance to master certification topics
- Practice Tests - Work through sample questions and mock exams
- Study Planning - Create an effective study schedule to achieve your certification goals
- Hands-on Practice - Apply certification concepts through practical exercises
Career Guidance
Beyond technical skills, succeeding in JavaScript requires strategic career planning. Our career mentors provide:
- Industry Insights - Get insider knowledge about JavaScript roles and companies
- Career Strategy - Build a roadmap to reach your professional goals
- Resume & Portfolio Review - Optimize your professional materials for JavaScript positions
- Interview Preparation - Practice technical and behavioral interviews with experienced professionals
- Salary Negotiation - Learn to advocate for yourself and negotiate competitive compensation
Ready to accelerate your JavaScript career? Connect with a career mentor to start building your professional future.