Teaching English in Missions

Jan Edwards Dormer

Description

English teaching is common in missions today. However, there has been relatively little discussion on what constitutes effectiveness in English ministries. This book aims to foster such discussion. It first addresses issues of concern in English ministries and then suggests criteria for effectiveness, considerations in teacher preparation, and models for the teaching of English in missions.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Philosophie et théologie
• Growth
• Christian Church

Informations

• Publié par: William Carey Publishing
• Date de parution: 27 juin 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 10
• EAN13: 9781645080725
• Langue: English

Extrait

Dr. Dormer has written an outstanding and much-needed text for Christians who are considering or are already involved in teaching English as a foreign/second language. She deals with several important issues that must be addressed today by English educators in both secular and Christian settings worldwide. Her focus on effectiveness and integrity is on target. Along with giving sound advice, practical tips, and concrete examples, she provides necessary cautions and asks key questions for careful consideration. Chapter 7 should be read and reread until it is internalized. As a longtime ESL educator, I wish I had read this book and had it in my professional library years ago. I highly recommend it.
J. Wesley Eby, author of Handbook for Teaching Bible-Based ESL and many Bible studies for English learners
Exceptional! For any mission organization or for anyone using or hoping to use the teaching of English as a second or foreign language as a means of ministry opportunity, this book is a must-read. Jan Dormer has brought sense and sensitivity to a great ministry tool, protecting us from ministry abuse so common among those of us who rush in with zeal without knowledge. With a keen eye for any particular native culture and with a heart that cries “It’s all about the student!” Jan dares to raise the level of expectation in missionary sensitivity, integrity, transparency, proficiency, authenticity, and competency. She makes me want to sign up! With an unequaled mix of the academic, missionary experience, and practical help, this book is bound to lead the way as the number-one textbook for this great endeavor.
Hubert Harriman, president, World Gospel Mission
If you’re interested in English-language teaching and missions, this book is for you! Jan Dormer brings wide-ranging experience as a professional language educator and career missionary to her work and it shows. She tackles misconceptions, provides real-life illustrations, and offers practical, easy-to-understand guidelines in this reader-friendly introduction to English-language teaching and missions. While written primarily for those who are new to the area, this book can be read with benefit by anyone concerned with effectiveness and integrity in the ministry of English-language teaching.
Carolyn Kristjánsson, PhD associate professor MA TESOL, Trinity Western University
As missions-minded agencies and individuals have sought to respond to the demand for English, the need for a book like Teaching English in Missions has increased. Jan Dormer’s breadth of experience, lucid writing, and commitment to excellence in both teaching and ministry make this a must-read for every Christian involved in English-language teaching.
Kitty B. Purgason, PhD associate professor, Department of Applied Linguistics and TESOL Biola University author of English Language Teaching in Theological Contexts
Jan Dormer’s introduction to teaching English in mission is well grounded both in the English-teaching profession and the Christian faith. It makes an effective case for the importance of professionalism and integrity among missionaries who teach English, and also provides a great deal of useful guidance and practical information for missionary English teachers. Last and definitely not least, it does all of this in a very lucid and reader-friendly style.
Don Snow, PhD author of English Teaching as Christian Mission: An Applied Theology and More Than a Native Speaker: An Introduction to Teaching English Abroad

TEACHING ENGLISH in MISSIONS
EFFECTIVENESS and INTEGRITY
JAN EDWARDS DORMER


Teaching English in Missions: Effectiveness and Integrity Copyright © 2011 by Jan Edwards Dormer
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except brief quotations used in connection with reviews in magazines or newspapers.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, INc™. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Published by William Carey Library 1605 E. Elizabeth Street Pasadena, CA 91104 | www.missionbooks.org
Kelley K. Wolfe, editor Rose Lee-Norman, copyeditor, indexer Josie Leung, graphic designer Cover photo: © iStockphoto.com/evirgen
William Carey Library is a ministry of Frontier Vemtures Pasadena, CA | www.frontierventures.org
Digital eBook release Primalogue 2016 ISBN: 978-0-87808-982-6
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Dormer, Jan Edwards. Teaching English in missions: effectiveness and integrity / Jan Edwards Dormer. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-87808-526-2 1. Missions--Educational work. 2. English language--Study and teaching- Foreign speakers. I. Title. BV2630.D67 266’.02--dc23 2011017807

To Rod The stability behind my creativity
To Danna Jo and Jenna Who grew up helping in English camps and classes, and who never complained about leading yet another group of English learners in our unique rendition of “Lean on Me”
To my students all over the world Who ultimately make it all worthwhile

CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. If You Can Speak English You Can Teach It. True or False?
2. “First, Do No Harm”: An English Teacher’s Hippocratic Oath
3. English Ministries with Integrity: Four Types
4. English Teachers with Integrity: Three Requirements
5. English-teaching Formats: Four Models
6. English Classes: Three Building Blocks
7. Putting It All Together: Making Decisions about English Ministry
Appendix A: English for Life Curriculum
Appendix B: A Topical Course Syllabus
Appendix C: A Sample Lesson Plan: Family Words
Appendix D: Organizing an English Camp
Appendix E: Resources
Appendix F: Acronyms Used in English Teaching
Appendix G: Principles of Language Learning
References
Index
End Notes

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am deeply indebted to the Christian TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) community for my continued formation as a Christian TESOL professional. Among this group of godly men and women are individuals who have encouraged my involvement in TESOL and cast a vision for me of what a Christian TESOL professional could look like. Articles, books, and conferences produced by this special community of believers have contributed much to my work overseas as a Christian English teacher and have helped shape my perspectives on what it means to engage in the teaching of English with effectiveness and integrity. In writing this book, several individuals took the time to read various chapters and provide me with invaluable feedback. I seek to pass on the mentorship I have received to those now entering the profession and Christian service.

INTRODUCTION
I think I started teaching English when I was twelve. I was a missionary kid (MK) in Brazil, and I remember Brazilian young people at our youth camps gathering around me to practice their English. Later in high school I actually earned a little money as an English tutor. But my real English-teaching career began in the United States several years later, as I taught for two years while acquiring an MA in TESOL in Indiana. I then married a Canadian pastor, moved to Ontario, and taught in both immigrant and international student programs for eight years.
The next bend in the road took us into missions, as we went with our two young daughters to Indonesia and worked with an international school for four years. There I taught both elementary and high school English learners. This was followed by a five-year stint in Brazil—“back home” for me. During this time I developed an English school, which grew to 150 students with programs for adults, teens, and children. While furloughing in Canada, we learned that the Brazilian government had unexpectedly denied our request for permanent visas. This led to our return to Indonesia. I was just completing a Doctorate of Education at the University of Toronto and spent the next four years developing a Master of Education program for Indonesian teachers while also teaching English in a seminary and a Muslim elementary school. Our next move took us back to the US for two years while preparing for our next assignment—a new ministry in Kenya.
I have taught English to all ages, at all language levels, in many different types of schools and programs, and to numerous ethnic and culture groups on four continents. To some, my diverse background may seem to have taught me nearly everything there is to know about teaching English in missions. How I wish this were true! Alas, I am painfully aware that there are many countries, teaching contexts, cultural issues, and government policies that I know absolutely nothing about. This reality nearly stopped me in my tracks and kept me from completing this book.
Then God spoke to me through what has been our lifelong ministry verse: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Pet 4:10, NIV). This verse has given me confidence in numerous ministry situations in which I felt inadequate, from growing an English school in Brazil to teaching in a Muslim elementary school. With each difficult situation God has reassured me that I am only required to use the gifts that he has given me to bless others as I am able, and that I need be neither perfect nor infinitely wise. These qualities reside in God alone.
And so I introduce this book with the same perspective. I have used the gifts of education and experience that God has given me to provide the thoughts and suggestions on these pages. These are, I am certain, incomplete and imperfect. Nevertheless it is what I have to offer for those engaged in carrying out the Great Commission through English