Troy Peterson loves teaching ESL small groups

The foundation for any ESL (English as a second language) small groups is a love for God and his people. Jesus’ ministry often revolved around meeting people’s felt need first, then ministering to their real need—the need for relationship with God.

As the world’s Chinese population moves to cities all around the globe, there is often a need to learn English. Whether you live in Los Angeles or Cape Town, you can invite your Chinese neighbors into your house or your church and help them to learn English.

Me? An English teacher?
Sure! If you meet these simple criteria, you can indeed teach your Chinese friends English.

1. First of all you need a willingness to commit to teaching a class on a regular (preferably weekly) basis.

2. Hand in hand with commitment to teaching comes commitment to preparation. Consider presenting students with the components of multiple learning opportunities: Combine lesson content with current events and local applications. During the week, students should be able to implement what they have learned.

What materials should I use?
Though you could use materials of your own, ORTV would like to present to you our English-teaching magazines as the most suitable content for your small group. Individuals and schools have used our materials for the past 40 years!Lesson material comes to you in the form of magazine articles in three distinct levels:

Let’s Talk in English: Conversation-based lessons for beginner levelsStudio Classroom: Article-based lessons for intermediate learners of EnglishAdvanced: Article-based lessons for advanced learners of English
Daily radio and/or television programs accompany each magazine. The Let’s Talk programs are available in Taiwan, the US and Canada West Coast, Hawaii and all over Europe. In addition to cable broadcasts in Taiwan, the US and Canada, Studio Classroom’s TV programs can also be viewed daily on the Internet. (Studio Classroom / Let's Talk in English)

In addition to the magazines and radio and TV programs, you will find daily discussion questions for the two higher-level magazines on their Web site (Studio Classroom). As for Let’s Talk in English, you will find simple review questions printed in the magazine.

Both Web sites (Studio Classroom / Let's Talk in English) have a teachers' resource center, where you can find activity ideas pertaining to this month's magazines. These activities are suitable for small groups as well as larger classrooms.

In the Classroom
1. Give each student your full attention. They might have a hard time expressing themselves initially. If they do not sense patience from your side, they may decide not to attend your classes after all.

2. Teach with humor and balance. When a student hesitates or mispronounces a word, carefully move in without criticism—only a proven heart to help. Laugh at yourself and you miss-uses! The class loves it.

3. Prepare well for class. Know the current magazine lessons and subjects and the recommended vocabulary. You may search the magazine Web sites for teaching ideas.

4. Make conversational warm-ups spontaneous. If students appear to be weighed down by a subject, move on, and move back at a more appropriate time. It enhances conversation if you know a bit of background from the students, their employment, family, relatives in China or Taiwan. If you don’t know about their countries etc., ask. The students will love to tell you about their backgrounds.

4.1. Some simple warm-ups proven to stimulate conversation are:

a. Tell us where you were born? Talk a bit about the area.

b. What was your first job in America?

c. Do you remember your first paycheck?

d. How are your kids enjoying American schools? What is a little tough for them?

e. Do you watch Chinese or American Television?

f. If you have men in the group, talk about sports. If you know little about sports, prepare by taking a look at the sports section of your local newspaper.

What should the focus of my lessons be?
It’s paramount to be practical in your teaching. The goal is let them converse with Americans, shop with skills and most of all, have confidence.

Once students have learned to trust you and receive your love, they might ask you about your life, providing opportunities to share about your faith in Christ. This, in turn, will open the door to you inviting them to church or other evangelistic outreaches.

Students’ Feedback
At one of the classes currently being taught in Los Angeles, the teacher/facilitator asked them, “What do you hope for when you are enrolling in English classes?”

The answers were simple but very profound to the teacher.

“I need to talk smart.”

“I want o communicate with my kids who go to American schools.”

“My husband is American and I don’t want to be dumb!”

“Reading and grammar are important but not as important to me as just being able to talk and not drop my head because I cant find simple words.”

Teacher’s Feedback
In Los Angeles, ORTV staffer Sarah Jepson Coleman recently started teaching such a class. This was a first for Sarah who has a background in writing and TV production. Initially, Sarah had many questions and concerns. A few months into teaching, the Saturday class has become the highlight of Sarah’s week. Says Sarah, “Nothing is more gratifying than observing the gradation of skills developed by simple application with progression. When a quiet person suddenly sits up and starts talking in English, any teacher’s heart would leap within as the ‘talker’ finishes and claps for herself!

“Surrounding the class with God’s unconditional love and expressing it as opportunities arise, is the over-arching reason.”

Simple Reminders
Love God; love your students. Living a lifestyle honoring God will make Jesus much more attractive to your Asian friends.
Be committed to helping your new friends learn.
Prepare for classes.
Never present materials as rote assignments.
Enjoy!