End of the year activities...back to the start!

It seems odd for my first blog post on ESL programs with the end, but as a former boss of mine always said, "Begin with the end in mind.".  This is the end of the academic year in most areas of the US, and if your church follows the local school calendar and you break for the summer, this is the end of the semester for you too. Most programs have an end of the year party or get together, and that is good. It is good to let the students fellowship and celebrate their accomplishments. But this is also a time to begin thinking about next semester and evaluating your program. What did you do that worked? What did the students enjoy? What helped them learn? Who are the teachers that are most effective, and what makes them so? What challenges did your students face this year academically, spirituality, emotionally, or financially?  How can you help your students become equipped with the language skills they need to overcome those challenges? What kind of teachers do you want to recruit next year? What kind of curriculum do you want to use? What worked this year and how can it be improved for next year? What did you teachers find difficult to handle, and how can you help them? Have you organized prayer support for you ministry? What would you like to accomplish beyond English language learning?  How do you what students to speak of your program to others? What kind of reputation do you want to have, and what can you do to make others see the help you give and the hope you represent? This is not an exhaustive list of questions, but it may get you thinking so you are ready to being strong next academic year!

If you've ever taught English as a Second Language at your church, you understand that there are many interesting tales that can be told about the events that occur in class! Maybe you teach on Wednesday nights in a room next door to the room where the youth group praise and worship band practices. Maybe your class starts at 10 am, but the students don't show up until 10:45. Or maybe you are relegated to the church basement while the other programs get space in the brand new annex. No matter what your situation, if you teach in a church-based ESL program, this blog is for you. Here you will find lesson ideas, group gathering ideas, Bible study ideas, teacher training ideas,  and encouragement to keep the work going. Teaching English is an important undertaking. It is a blessing for me to be a part of this nationwide (and even international) ministry. I hope you find it a blessing as well. Please feel free to leave questions, comments, or your own brilliant ideas!