A protective coating for a component comprising a ceramic based substrate, and methods for protecting the component, the protective coating adapted for withstanding repeated thermal cycling. The substrate may comprise silicon nitride or silicon carbide, and the protective coating may comprise at least one tantalate of scandium, yttrium, or a rare earth element. The protective coating may further comprise one or more metal oxides. The coating protects the substrate from combustion gases in the high temperature turbine engine environment. The coating may be multi-layered and exhibits strong bonding to Si-based substrate materials and composites.