Disclosed herein are methods for generating endoderm lineage type cells derived from human pluripotent cells, such as human embryonic stem cells, by using various agents including, but not limited to, GDF8, GDF11 and GSK-3beta inhibitors. Also disclosed herein are endoderm lineage cell populations or compositions, such as populations or compositions comprising definitive endoderm and/or other definitive endoderm-derived cell types.