MISSION TRAINING

ESL mission organizations provide all the necessary training for the team members. Their reputation and your time is at stake. For one-year assignments, a one-month training program offers team bonding and an environment in which to build friendships. The team members will be praying, working, and sharing their lives together for the coming one-year assignment.

A team of 30-50 teachers will be formed and trained together for a 2 to 4 weeks prior to departure. Team members will be assigned to schools in the same area where possible.

Training start times are fixed, such as in January, April and August.

Following are typical course descriptions:
(These will differ for each sending organization)

FOUNDATIONS OF SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING.

This introduction to the field of second language education provides an overview of the supporting disciplines, e.g. linguistics, psychology, sociology and education, and includes historical and analytic perspectives on the development of L2 teaching through an examination of approaches to L2 instruction and specific teaching methods.

SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM.

This course provides an introduction to the theory and research in second language acquisition (SLA). It is designed to help students understand the processes, developmental patterns and factors contributing to SLA so that they will be prepared to evaluate and develop teaching procedures in light of this understanding.

LANGUAGE STUDY FOR ESL TEACHERS.

This course focuses on how the English language works as a system, examining it from the levels of phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and discourse. These aspects will be considered in relation to second language teaching and learning.

TESOL PRACTICUM: ELEMENTARY.

Supervised practice in the application of language teaching and learning theories: focus on the design and use of teaching units, the organization of communication activities, the selection and use of diagnostic and remedial materials.

TESOL PRACTICUM: SECONDARY
Supervised practice in the application of language teaching and learning theories: focus on curriculum development, and on the production of instructional, diagnostic and remedial materials.

TESOL IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

This course aims to develop skills in planning appropriate lessons, activities, units and projects for ESL learners in a variety of programs at the elementary level. The planning of instructional units that aim to develop learners' oral skills and written communication will be emphasized.

TESOL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

This course aims to develop skills in planning appropriate lessons, activities, units and projects for ESL learners in a variety of programs at the secondary level, namely, regular ESL and English Second Language Arts. The planning of instructional units that develop learner's oral and written communication skills will be emphasized.

YOUR PRAYER TEAM

You should build a team of intercessors and prayer warriors before your departure. They will lift you up as they go to the throne on your behalf and have God's heart for you. The intentional and consistent intercession will increase the effectiveness of the ministry to which you are called.

Your prayer partners will also act as watchmen on the walls, and serve as guards on the alert, as gatekeepers and agents of preservation. As a result, they create a shield around you, as well as providing you with both physical and spiritual strength. In reality, you are in ministry together. One operates in the visible realm; the others operate in the invisible realm. Combining both, you carry out God's purposes for His Kingdom!