Wes Bos’ Beginner JavaScript Course Review

Wes Bos' Javascript Course Review Screen

Published on: February 6, 2025

JavaScript is one of the most essential programming languages for web development. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer looking to refresh your skills, structured learning can be a great way to reinforce concepts and stay up to date with best practices. I recently took Wes Bos’s Beginner JavaScript Course as a way to brush up on my JavaScript knowledge.

While I have been using JavaScript for 24 years, my primary programming focus has been on PHP, MySQL, and CSS. For JavaScript, I typically searched Google when I needed something specific and modified code to suit my projects. However, with the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, I found myself relying on automated assistance for JavaScript, which led to a decline in my hands-on skills. Despite the fact that the websites I build often feature advanced JavaScript, thanks to my intermediate knowledge and ChatGPT, I felt it was time for a refresher.

Having previously taken Wes Bos’s CSS Grid course and found it excellent, I decided to enroll in this Beginner JavaScript Course to sharpen my skills and ensure I wasn’t becoming too reliant on AI-generated code.

Review
Pricing
Rating
Pros & Cons
Summary

Review

Wes Bos’s Beginner JavaScript Course consists of 36 video lessons that guide students through core JavaScript concepts in a structured, easy-to-follow manner. One of the standout features of the course is its step-by-step teaching approach, which makes learning smooth and engaging. Each video is accompanied by a Git repository of code, allowing students to follow along, experiment, and apply what they’ve learned.

A major strength of the course is that it focuses heavily on real-world examples, ensuring that learners can apply their knowledge immediately. The hands-on approach includes a lot of work in the browser console, which is particularly beneficial for debugging and troubleshooting. As someone who has worked in development for decades, I appreciated this focus on practical application rather than just theory.

The course covers a broad range of fundamental JavaScript topics, including:

Functions – Understanding how to create, call, and manipulate functions.
Variables – Working with var, let, and const to store and manipulate data.
DOM Manipulation – Interacting with and modifying elements on a webpage.
Arrays & Objects – Handling and iterating over collections of data.
Events – Learning how to add interactivity to websites using event listeners.
VS Code Setup – Configuring the development environment for optimal productivity.

For beginners, this is a well-rounded introduction to JavaScript that provides a solid foundation for moving on to more advanced topics. For experienced developers like myself, it serves as an excellent refresher that reinforces best practices and modern JavaScript techniques.

Pricing

One of the biggest selling points of this course is the price. At $45 USD, it’s an incredible value for the amount of knowledge packed into the lessons. Considering the depth of content, quality of instruction, and practical applications, it’s a great investment for anyone looking to strengthen their JavaScript skills.

Given that JavaScript is a core skill for web developers, this course provides tremendous value whether you’re a beginner or someone like me who needs to sharpen their skills.

Rating

We give Wes Bos' Beginner Javascript Course a rating of 4.8 / 5

Pros & Cons

Pros

Step-by-step approach that makes learning easy and structured
Hands-on coding with a Git repository for following along
Real-world examples that are practical and applicable
Strong focus on debugging and working with the browser console
Affordable pricing at just $45 USD
Clear and engaging teaching style

Cons

Some sections could be expanded further with additional exercises

Summary

Overall, Wes Bos’s Beginner JavaScript Course is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced developers looking to refine their JavaScript knowledge. The well-structured lessons, hands-on coding exercises, and real-world examples make it an effective and engaging learning experience. At an affordable price point, this course is a no-brainer for anyone serious about improving their JavaScript skills.

One of the best parts about taking this course is that it has rekindled my interest in JavaScript. I’ve already set my sights on my next learning challenge—Wes Bos’s Fullstack Advanced React and GraphQL course. This will be particularly useful for me as I continue to work with headless CMS solutions, particularly the Next.js, WordPress, and React setup that I built a few years ago.

Disclaimer: I have not been paid or compensated in any way for this review.

Wes Bos’ Beginner Javascript Course FAQs

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a programming language used to create dynamic and interactive content on websites. It enables developers to add functionalities like animations, form validations, and real-time updates without requiring a page reload.

What is a Git repository?

A Git repository is a version control system that stores and tracks changes to code. It allows multiple developers to collaborate, manage different versions of a project, and revert to previous versions if needed.

What is DOM Manipulation?

DOM (Document Object Model) Manipulation refers to the process of modifying the structure, content, and styling of a webpage using JavaScript. Developers use the DOM API to interact with elements, update text, add or remove elements, and respond to user actions dynamically.

What are JavaScript Functions?

JavaScript functions are reusable blocks of code that perform a specific task. They help in organizing code efficiently by allowing developers to define a function once and call it multiple times. Functions can take inputs (parameters) and return outputs.

What are JavaScript Variables?

JavaScript variables are used to store data values. They can hold numbers, text (strings), objects, arrays, and more. Variables in JavaScript are declared using var, let, or const, with let and const being preferred in modern JavaScript for better control over scope.

What are JavaScript Events?

JavaScript events are actions that occur in the browser, such as clicks, key presses, form submissions, or page loads. Developers use event listeners to detect and respond to these actions, making web pages interactive and user-friendly.

What are JavaScript Arrays & Objects?

JavaScript arrays and objects are data structures used to store collections of data. Arrays are ordered lists of values, accessed using an index, such as [1, 2, 3]. Objects are collections of key-value pairs used to store structured data, such as {name: "John", age: 30}. Arrays are useful for managing lists of related items, while objects allow for more complex data representation by associating values with descriptive keys. Both are essential for handling and organizing data efficiently in JavaScript applications.