Month 1: Foundations (160 hours)
- PHP Basics (70 hours)
- Learn PHP syntax, variables, data types, control structures
- Practice with simple scripts and exercises
- Project: Create a basic PHP calculator
- HTML/CSS Refresher and Tailwind CSS (50 hours)
- Review HTML5 fundamentals
- Learn Tailwind CSS basics and utility-first approach
- Practice responsive design with Tailwind
- Project: Build a responsive landing page using Tailwind CSS
- JavaScript Essentials (40 hours)
- Learn JavaScript basics, DOM manipulation
- Introduction to ES6+ features
- Project: Create a simple to-do list app
Month 2: WordPress Basics and Version Control (160 hours)
- WordPress Architecture (30 hours)
- Understand WordPress core files and database structure
- Learn about themes and plugins
- Project: Set up a local WordPress development environment
- Theme Development Basics (70 hours)
- Study WordPress theme structure
- Learn about template hierarchy
- Introduction to underscores (_s) theme
- Project: Create a custom theme using underscores and Tailwind CSS
- Plugin Development Basics (40 hours)
- Understand plugin architecture
- Learn about hooks, actions, and filters
- Project: Develop a simple custom plugin
- Version Control with Git and GitHub (20 hours)
- Master Git basics (commit, push, pull, merge)
- Learn about branching strategies
- Understand GitHub workflow (pull requests, issues, actions)
- Project: Set up a GitHub repository for your theme and plugin projects
Month 3: Advanced WordPress Development (160 hours)
- Advanced PHP for WordPress (50 hours)
- Learn about OOP in PHP
- Study WordPress coding standards
- Project: Refactor your previous plugin using OOP principles
- WordPress REST API (40 hours)
- Understand REST API concepts
- Learn to create custom endpoints
- Project: Build a simple API-driven theme
- Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) (50 hours)
- Master ACF plugin usage
- Learn to create custom fields and field groups
- Project: Develop a portfolio theme using ACF and Tailwind CSS
- GitHub Actions and Deployment (20 hours)
- Learn about GitHub Actions for CI/CD
- Set up automatic deployment to a staging environment
- Project: Create a GitHub Action to deploy your portfolio theme
Month 4: Gutenberg and Modern WordPress (160 hours)
- Gutenberg Basics (30 hours)
- Understand block-based editing
- Learn about default Gutenberg blocks
- Project: Create a custom post layout using Gutenberg blocks
- Custom Gutenberg Block Development (80 hours)
- Learn to create custom blocks with JavaScript
- Understand block attributes and controls
- Project: Develop a set of custom Gutenberg blocks for a specific niche (e.g., restaurant menu builder)
- Theme Development for Gutenberg (40 hours)
- Learn to make themes Gutenberg-ready
- Understand block templates and patterns
- Project: Update your portfolio theme to be fully Gutenberg-compatible
- Tailwind CSS in Gutenberg (10 hours)
- Learn how to integrate Tailwind CSS with Gutenberg blocks
- Project: Style your custom Gutenberg blocks using Tailwind CSS
Month 5: Advanced Topics and Performance (160 hours)
- WordPress Security (40 hours)
- Learn about common vulnerabilities and how to prevent them
- Understand secure coding practices
- Project: Perform a security audit on your previous projects and make improvements
- WordPress Performance Optimization (40 hours)
- Learn caching techniques
- Understand database optimization
- Study asset minification and lazy loading
- Project: Optimize a poorly performing WordPress site
- Headless WordPress (70 hours)
- Understand decoupled WordPress architecture
- Learn to use WordPress as a headless CMS
- Introduction to React for front-end development
- Project: Create a simple headless WordPress site with a React front-end and Tailwind CSS
- Advanced GitHub and Deployment (10 hours)
- Learn about GitHub project management features
- Explore advanced GitHub Actions scenarios
- Project: Set up a complete CI/CD pipeline for your headless WordPress project
Month 6: Professional Development and Portfolio Building (160 hours)
- Advanced Plugin Development (50 hours)
- Learn about creating admin pages
- Understand how to integrate with third-party APIs
- Project: Develop a feature-rich plugin (e.g., a social media integration plugin)
- Portfolio Refinement (60 hours)
- Polish and improve your existing projects
- Ensure all code follows best practices and is well-documented
- Create detailed case studies for each project
- Optimize all projects with Tailwind CSS
- Deployment and Hosting (20 hours)
- Understand different hosting options
- Learn about deployment strategies for WordPress
- Project: Set up a production environment and deploy your portfolio site using GitHub Actions
- Interview Preparation (30 hours)
- Review common WordPress developer interview questions
- Practice coding challenges
- Prepare to discuss your projects in detail
- Study Tailwind CSS best practices and common interview questions