With a sense of great challenge, we embarked on a journey—starting an English as a Second Language (ESL) outreach ministry in our predominantly Caucasian, English-speaking church in the Kansas City metropolitan area. We sought to reach the unchurched, non-English-speaking population living in our neighborhood. In just a few years, the program served over 400 non-English-speaking students representing 30 nations and 18 diverse languages and dialects. God blessed the ministry and enabled several of the ESL students to become a vital part of our congregation. We want to challenge and enable you to engage in this type of ministry in your own communities.

Deciding Whether ESL Is A Useful Outreach Tool For Your Church

To decide whether ESL is a useful outreach tool for your church, consider the location of your church and the demographics of the people in the surrounding area. Consider the makeup of your own congregation. Even if your congregation isn’t very diverse, ESL may still be a great outreach ministry for you. Do investigation to seek out other ESL programs in your community. Observe the classes and talk with those who teach and administrate the program.

Planning For An ESL Program

As you begin planning for your ESL program, there are several key steps that need to be addressed. These include the following:

Define your mission

As you begin, you need to have a clear mission in mind. Spend some time praying about the direction your ministry should take. This is vital since your mission will ultimately steer every decision you make.

Find a capable administrative director

The director will play a vital role in starting and sustaining the program, so find a capable individual with the administrative skills to organize and lead your efforts.

Find a strong lead teacher(s)

Find at least one lead teacher per level who can help with curriculum selection, teacher training, classroom methodology, and student placement. It is ideal to find a lead teacher with formal teaching training and experience; however, this is not absolutely necessary.

Recruit a team of teachers

Begin recruiting other teachers. Post a teaching invitation in the church worship folders and/or newsletters. Make oral announcements in church services.

Select and order curriculum

The curriculum you choose should complement your program’s mission. Decide whether you want to use strictly Bible-based products, such as bilingual Bible studies; strictly academic language materials; or a combination of both. The Global English Series (available through Nazarene Publishing House) is ideal if you decide to incorporate Bible study or Christian training in your program.

Decide upon the duration of the classes

Decide upon the length of the individual class sessions. Two-hour sessions once a week worked well for us. We found 10 or 12 week sessions to be ideal.

Determine whether you will charge for services

Work through the question of whether or not to charge. If you charge, you can create a small operating budget for your program and will more likely attract students who are serious about attending on a consistent basis. However, if you do not charge, you can be certain you are not eliminating anyone simply on the basis of financial resources.

Provide orientation and training opportunities for teachers

Hold orientation/training sessions for teachers shortly before the classes begin. At these sessions, provide cross-cultural awareness training. Use the training to equip teachers with ideas for instruction. Introduce the teachers to a host of strategies and assessment tools for the classroom. Put together a teaching tools kit with classroom resources that can be easily borrowed and adapted.

Advertise the classes

Several weeks before your start date, advertise the classes to the community in both English and Spanish (or whatever language best represents your audience).

Getting ESL Classes Underway

Establish class levels

Have at least two levels of adult classes so the needs of both beginners and more advanced students can be met. Three class levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) works well.

Plan time for announcements and prayer

Start each session with a brief time for opening announcements and prayer, if possible.

Distribute a basic information sheet

Distribute a basic information sheet on the first day of class to acquaint students with the program, procedures, and key contact persons.

Plan time for refreshments and fellowship

Plan time for students and teachers to snack, fellowship, and get to know one another informally. Eating together is a vital component of building friendships and trust in many cultures. Part of the mission in this type of outreach ministry is to get to know students on a personal level and learn about their spiritual needs.

Follow the classes with teacher debriefing and prayer

At the conclusion of each class session, bring teachers together for a few moments of sharing. They often have many exciting and encouraging things to report. They may have some prayer requests to share as well.

Plan a party

Plan a culminating time of fellowship at the conclusion of each ESL cycle. You might try an ethnic potluck. Students are often willing to bring cuisine representative of their own countries. Encourage students to bring their families to this event. Let them plan some of the entertainment by sharing songs and games. Give them a completion certificate or some type of small gift to encourage them in their studies. The final party is also a wonderful time to celebrate Christmas, Easter, or other religious holidays. We have shown the JESUS film at the concluding party and prayed with seekers.

Sustaining Your ESL Program And Helping It To Thrive

Build a budget

You can start an ESL program with very few resources. However, if you plan to sustain an ongoing ministry, it is helpful to build at least a small, longterm budget to meet expenses.

Provide continued discipleship and mentoring

Be prepared to welcome students who come to the ESL classes into the fellowship of the church. It is important that they feel welcomed and supported by other Christians. Devise a system to link these new faith seekers with mature Christian in your own congregation.

Provide cultural awareness training for your own congregation

Provide cultural awareness training for your own congregation so they are well prepared to interact with those from other cultures.

Incorporate cross-cultural elements into all aspects of the church

There are many ways to be sure these individuals are incorporated into the life of the church. You might want to consider providing translation in regular services. You might want to incorporate a cross-cultural approach in the music. You could start a language specific Bible Study or Sunday School class.

Invite your congregation to be a part of the ministry

Invite your congregation to be a vital part of the ESL ministry by providing refreshments, financial donations and prayerful support.

by Cort and Karen Miller
Constituence Engagement Director, NCM International
Prof. of Education, Avila University