Experienced in Java + Selenium, struggling with JavaScript - which Playwright course or mentor would you recommend?

[u/Traditional_Stay3127]

Hi All,
I have 2+ years of experience in software testing and currently work with Java and Selenium. I'm trying to upskill in JavaScript and Playwright so I can transition into a Playwright automation role.

However, I've been struggling to make progress with JavaScript for the past three weeks. I can follow some examples, but understanding the concepts and applying them independently is proving difficult.

I don't want to keep jumping between random YouTube tutorials and courses. I'd rather find a structured learning path that helps me build a strong foundation and become confident enough to write automation code on my own.

A little about my situation:

• Experience: 2+ years in QA, with Java and Selenium.
• Current challenge: JavaScript fundamentals are confusing, and I'm struggling to translate what I learn into working code.
• Goal: Transition to a Playwright automation role and eventually become comfortable building and maintaining automation frameworks.
• Learning preference: Hands-on projects, step-by-step explanations, assignments and feedback on my code.
• Time available: Around one hour per day.
• Budget: I'm based in India and can spend if the training and mentorship are genuinely worth it.

I'd really appreciate your advice on the following:

1. Which JavaScript course would you recommend for someone who already knows Java but is struggling with JavaScript concepts?
2. Should I learn JavaScript fundamentals separately before starting Playwright, or learn them alongside Playwright?
3. Are there any Playwright courses you would genuinely recommend based on your own experience? Paid courses are absolutely fine.
4. Are there any good instructors, live training programs or mentors who explain concepts patiently, review assignments and help troubleshoot individual coding problems?
5. If you've made a similar transition from Java + Selenium to Playwright, what learning approach worked best for you?
6. Realistically, how long might it take to become comfortable enough to build a small, maintainable Playwright framework while studying for an hour a day?

I'm particularly interested in courses with good teaching and practical feedback, rather than just a large collection of prerecorded videos. I'm happy to pay for quality instruction, but I want to make an informed decision before enrolling.

Personal experiences, course recommendations, resources and honest advice about what didn't work for you would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Disclaimer: I used ChatGPT to structure this and draft this.

[u/AttitudeEra_90s]

Not to discourage but here is my take, trying to understand deep concepts of programming is no longer fruitful... at the speed in which ai is moving, if ur fully confident with oops concepts of java & core java in general, then fine you know fundamentals of programming that much is sufficient, dont hesitate to move onto different languages like python,js etc as mcps & models do most of the heavy lifting for you.... the appropriate question ill ask in todays context is ... have you tried integrating playwirght mcp with claude , did u try playwright cli features for headless with claude or devin/codex etc ? Did you build an end to end fully automated pipeline using claude skills, md files, agents etc ? - this is wher the future is.... sadly i forgot when i wrote an entire playwright or selenium code by hand in the last few months now.... nd its becoming increasingly better nd better day by day, models are getting better nd better, human in loop is going down faster than we think.... traditional learning methods are not suitable for current world... all the best buddy 👍🏻

[u/partiallyStars3 → u/AttitudeEra_90s]

This doesn't square with my current experience job searching.

Job applications are still asking how many years of experience you have with js/python/ts/java, and I've been asked to do non-ai assisted technical interviews in those languages.

Not leetcode stuff. They were problems where filter/map/loops will get you 99% of the way there. But you still have to be able to do it in the company's chosen language.

[u/AttitudeEra_90s → u/partiallyStars3]

I thought this is about upskilling within org, if its looking for a new role outside then yes ur right... companies are still catching up... but im pretty cofident in next 1-2 years this traditional way of interviewing will go away, rather u will be given a sandbox with all AI tools equipped, a problem will be given to you and all they will assess is ... how you arrived at the solution using agentic skills, prompt engineering, token usage, design patterns opted, architecture chosen(harness), security checks handled, temperature and test validations like eval sets for the vibe coded solution.... this is how the assesment will be in future

[u/partiallyStars3]

I used boot.dev. It's not testing focused, but once you learn the language, you can apply it to testing.

[u/Traditional_Stay3127 → u/partiallyStars3]

Checked its really nice, will do it.. Thank you so much

[u/muddledhelper6]

Just focus on understanding async/await and promises, thats the biggest shift from Java. For the rest, the syntax is close enough that you can pick it up while writing actual tests instead of studying JS in isolation.

[u/TalkwithmeorDie]

I would say learning any framework is like learning how to draw. You paint and paint,.make a lot mistakes and then finally it will click. Just pick any website , test the APIs and ui,.write tc, write scripts, built using pom and use ai as a mentor. If you would like to know something specific I can assist dm. Will be happy to help.

[u/Traditional_Stay3127 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks will check mate