Then students go back to class for another 45 minutes of instruction. Because internationals have varying English abilities, an oral placement interview is conducted with each new student. Then the student is placed in one of five levels, ranging from absolute beginner to advanced English speaker. While this structure works well for Germantown Baptist Church, other churches have weeknight classes, Sunday afternoon classes for internationals who work six days a week, Bible studies for women, or language tutoring for children after school. Getting started While the ministry sounds simple, it is not a haphazard operation.
Internationals face the chaos and confusion of a new language and a new culture.
When they seek help from a church ESL program, they must not be put in an equally confusing situation of an unorganized program. Schedules should be kept. Teachers need to be trained in a 16-hour literacy workshop that is available through the North American Mission Board or the literacy missions consultant of your state Baptist convention . The training workshop is key to a ministry, Nina says. Being able to speak English does not by itself equip a person to teach English.