October 21st, 2006
Milliken Chinese Community Church,
390 Bamburgh Circle, Scarborough, Ontario M1W 3X3 Tel: 416-498-3399
8:15 — Registration and Coffee
8:45 — Devotional and Introduction
9:05 — Beginners’ Course (all day; led by Colin Brewster and others; see page 3)
This track is for people who are thinking of getting involved in an ESL Ministry in their Church. They do not need to have had any teacher training prior to this time. Willingness to learn and a heart for people are the only prerequisites. They will be introduced to such topics as: Language Teaching and Learning Principles, Helping People improve their Speaking, How to manage a small Class, and How to Lead a Conversation Lesson. Participants will be given access to over 150 different lessons that they can use with students to direct their English Conversation class ministry, and they will be trained how to use them.
9:05-10:30 — Non-Beginners’ Workshops (choose one of the following)
Workshop #1: Integrating the Bible with ESL
This workshop will explore practical ways of using the Bible to teach the four facets of language including speaking, listening, reading and writing. The focus will be on taking the biblical content and using related grammar and life skills to augment the selected text. We hope some of the ideas presented will bring the Bible to life and help facilitators to see their ESL ministry as an evangelistic tool.
Presenters: Mary Hogan: has BA in Latin and MSW, TESL certificate and a member of TESL Ontario; coordinator of Evening and Daytime ESL at Bayview Glen Church; writes curriculum for Bayview Glen’s ESL ministry; teaches advanced English at a private school and supply teaches ESL (all levels) for York Region District School Board; tutors English privately; assists other churches in starting an ESL program. And: Mary-Lou Hanna has BA from Messiah College in Pa. U.S.A.; Ontario Teacher Certificate in elementary education; took TESOL training at Tyndale University College and Seminary; leader of Daytime ESL at Bayview Glen Church; Intermediate ESL teacher; writes curriculum for Bayview Glen’s ESL ministry; participated in conversational English classes with medical staff in China; tutored English privately; assists other churches in starting an ESL program.
Workshop #2: Pronunciation Teaching Techniques: Part II
This interactive workshop will introduce some methods for teaching English sound, stress and intonation. We will also be tackling some common pronunciation problems. Previous familiarity with the English sound system, such as that offered in the Beginner’s track, is helpful.
Presenter: Marion Chang. Marion Chang is an experienced ESL teacher and teacher trainer who has a special interest in pronunciation. She has recently completed a Ph.D. in Second Language Education.
Workshop #3: The Challenge of Other Religions (Hindu focus) in a Church-based ESL Ministry
Presenter: Benji Devadason. Born in Sri Lanka, Benji is a missionary in Canada with SIM’s Cultural ConneXions. He will be using a role play to present an introduction to Hinduism and sharing Christ with Hindus. Benji has broad experience with people of other religions and will be a resource person, helping us understand how better to related to people from other faiths.
Workshop #4: Great Grammar Review – Need to brush up on some grammar?
Come and enjoy exploring the wonderful English language. This session our focus will be on the noun – more than just person, place or thing!
Presenter: Carol Blake: Carol loves language. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 1982 with a Masters in Linguistics and a TESL Certificate. Since then, she has taught ESL, EFL, TESOL, and Academic Writing classes. Carol is currently the Director of Distance Education at Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener and administrator at her home church.
10:30 — Coffee Break
11:00-11:45 — Panel of Experienced Practitioners: (Submit your questions)
How has your program encouraged consistent attendance? How does your program assess incoming students’ English levels? How do you publicize your program? What approaches have encouraged connections between students and the Christian community?
LUNCH: There will be designated tables for regional gatherings and special interest groups.
1:00-1:45 — Further Discussion re the Future (Coop Mission Statement, etc.) & Prayer Together
2:00-3:30 — Workshops (choose one of the following)
Workshop #5: Make your own ‘ESL Bible Studies’
An interactive workshop where we will briefly look at some sample structures for an ESL Bible Study. We will have a chance to actually create a simple, conversational ESL Bible Study together, and discuss some of the challenges of using the Bible to teach English learners.
Presenter: Stephen Mountney: Stephen is an elementary teacher for the Toronto District School Board in an ESL-rich neighbourhood. He has his specialist qualifications in teaching ESL, and also teaches French as a Second Language. He started leading an ESL Bible study at Don Valley Bible Chapel almost 5 years ago, after helping with a Bible Study for international students during his studies at York University.
Workshop #6: Group Dynamics and Classroom Management
This workshop will look at the varying personalities of group members and the differing dynamics that emerge in the ESL classroom. It will also look at how individual members influence the effectiveness of the small group. Finally, it will provide strategies for managing both the challenging student and challenging group behaviour.
Presenters: Mary Hogan and Mary-Lou Hanna: See Workshop #1 above.
Workshop #7: The “Literacy and Evangelism” Approach to ESL: an Introduction
This workshop welcomes those planning to start an ESL ministry and need to know how. Those who are presently involved and require further strategies in community outreach are welcome too. We offer a complete package of biblical curricula, methodology, textbooks, workbooks and tapes for all levels of students. Training is available; suitable for lay people and overseas missions. No teaching experience required.
Presenters: Mabel Wee and Paul Robinson, OBFF Ministers, are graduates from Tyndale Seminary and Bible College. Mabel has her Masters in Theological Studies and has been an English teacher all her life. Both have conducted workshops and helped establish ESL ministries in small groups and churches in Ontario and South-East Asia. More than 371 Tutors, representing 50 churches have been trained. 12 churches have partnered with them. They have “duplicated” themselves in Singapore. This curriculum is now in Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan
Workshop #8: “Styles, Strategies and Stages: Understanding more about Learning a Language”
How can we better love and serve our students? Surely a better understand of their uniquenesses and the process of language learning could help. Here we will look at: What makes a good language learner? What are the effective strategies of language learning? How are learning styles different? You will discover your own learning style and that of others, the characteristic strategies of good language learners, and the natural progression of advancing from a beginner toward fluency. Some language learning software will be demonstrated.
Presenter: Tom McCormick. Tom has worked for about 10 years in ESL ministries in Toronto. Tom assists with language acquisition programs for missionaries in Toronto and the USA, and teaches part-time at Tyndale Seminary (Mission; Apologetics). Other involvements have included 30 years ministering in Nursing Homes, and mission experience in Peru, Papua New Guinea, Cameroon and India. He currently lives near Toronto and continues to be active in all these areas.
3:30-4:00 — Closing Worship and Prayer