The Hope ESL Software Curriculum

This looks like a great curriculum…a way to teach English and tell the story of Jesus Christ…together! These are a few thoughts I’ve had after spending several hours looking through the material. Keep in mind I have not yet used it myself to teach a class. I will be sharing it at all future ESL workshops, and hope to use it with students this summer.

The disc has links for Beginner through Advanced, though I think the lowest level I would use this is High-Beginner. I think some of the sentences that are used to reinforce the vocabulary are just too wordy for a low beginner class/student. There are many ways to use the material however. And you could certainly adapt it to fit your situation.

1. Give the disc to students that have computers at home. Let them explore on their own (or assign a section to be completed.) I’d probably take a class session to do an orientation to familiarize students with the disc and how to use it.
2. Meet with a student(s) and work with the CD together as part of a one-on-one or one-on-two tutoring session.
3. Use the material as the basis for teaching a class (showing the video from the day’s lesson and using the printable materials to teach new vocabulary and provide communication practice activities).

The Teacher’s Resources section is very helpful. If you only used the video portion to tell the story, then the teacher’s resources section with it, you could have the foundation for a good class lesson. If students are able to work on this outside of class in their homes, that would be even better.

Within the Student Resources section, students can discover how to begin a relationship with God. All of it supports our beliefs as Southern Baptists. New believers are also encouraged to share their decision with 5 other people within 24 hours…what a way to celebrate and share!

The curriculum is the result of collaboration between Mars Hill Productions and Roof Breakers. Pete Cavanaugh with Roof Breakers sent me the CD at no charge. He encourages duplication and sharing of the materials (as long as you don’t altar anything), so this is something you could provide to your students and teachers at no charge beyond the expense of blank CDs and printing of disc labels (though I suspect their ministry would appreciate financial support if possible!)

There are several Bible study guides that could be used with the curriculum as well. These appear to be for a more advanced group, but could probably be adapted for an intermediate student/class.

Check it out! Pete asks that in the spirit of ministry partnership, ministries would share how you’ve used the material and what experiences you’ve had with it. I’d love to hear as well!!

To order one for yourself, visit Roobreakers website!

Celebrating Another Great Year!

We recently celebrated the end of our 3rd year of ESL classes in Sun Prairie! Our theme for the night was JOY! and truly, we had a great time that night!

But I have to admit that for the first half-hour or so, I was discouraged. The party started at 7pm. By 7:15, none of our students had arrived. Over the next 30 minutes, students straggled in, but attendance that night was less than half what it normally is on any given Thursday evening. Normally, this wouldn’t really bother me. I learned a couple winters ago that an English as a Second Language ministry isn’t all about the numbers. It’s about the relationships that are formed and the doors God opens through them. But tonight was different. For one thing, we had invited members of the church to come out and help. We wanted those members to see this is a thriving ministry, not out of pride, but because we want others to share the passion we have for reaching internationals and get involved!! Secondly, I wanted the opportunity to personally thank each one of my students for giving me the privilege of teaching them and becoming their friend. Words cannot express the joy that they have brought me!

But by 7:30, only a handful of students had arrived and I decided to just let it go. We’d done all we could do to invite our students out for this event. We’d prayed and asked that God’s hand would be in it. There comes a time when you have to let go and trust that He will bring who He brings. My place is to enjoy and minister to those He blesses us with!

And so we did! And the result? We had a fabulous evening! I think all who came out, students and church-members alike, had a great time! I had the privilege of sharing with our students what true joy is, and thanks to tools like biblegateway.com and unboundbible.org, I was able to share a LOT of scripture with our students in both English and their heart languages.

Please pray that the Word of God would not return void! Pray that even now, His Spirit would be moving them to understand who He is and how to have a relationship with Him! Please pray for the ministry in Sun Prairie at Prairie Springs Church. Pray that God would raise up workers for the harvest, for His honor and glory!

ESL Workshop - Remember to Register!!

Anyone planning to attend the upcoming ESL Workshop in Portage on May 30th and June 6th, please register by Sunday May 17th! On Monday morning, I'll need to order workbooks to ensure materials arrive on time!

If you have any questions regarding the workshop, what's covered, what kinds of opportunities there are to use this training (there are many), please email me!!

On a side note, if you are interested in learning more about how to tutor kids and teens that are struggling with schoolwork, please let me know. This applies to kids of ALL nationalities, including the United States. Literacy missions doesn't just apply to internationals! I've recently started tutoring a child who cannot read and am very interested in attending a workshop to learn more. If I can get enough interest, I'll track down a workshop leader and get everything set up!