Last Words and First Steps

CESLM started with a vision in 1999. During a prayer meeting, Madeline Johnson (founder of CESLM) was reading John 17 aloud and was thinking of the importance of "last words." Her voice changed, her heart pounded, and tears came to her eyes as she read the plea of Jesus in verse 21 and repeated again in verse 23, that the believers would be one "so that the world would believe."

Since 1997 Madeline had been leading Agape Language Centre in Calgary and seeing firsthand how God was using it in the lives of everyone — teachers, students, and church members. In ESL Bible Study she had been asked "How do you know what church to go to? It seems like they’re all competing with each other."

The commitment gelled: more churches need to do ESL as an outreach to newcomers, but we must do it in a way that the world can see that we are one family. As Madeline shared this vision, others caught it and "put their shoulders to the wheel."

Today Madeline is retired, but her vision for reaching newcomers remains steady.  "If we really believe that love is stronger than hate than we need to take the initiative to love our new neighbors as individuals and get through our barriers," says Madeline. 

"Teaching ESL is a wonderful way to demonstrate the Kingdom of God in a world looking to politics for the answers" explains Madeline.  "Through ESL we can offer a safe place for respectful conversations."  She will be teaching the Spiritual Foundations seminar at Fall Training this year where you'll hear more about how God has strategically positioned you and your church reach out in love. 

Fall Training Early Bird Deadline 

Extended to September 22nd!

Learn more about reaching out to immigrants!  Sign up for our ESL Training for Church Volunteers, starting on September 30^th.  There are only a few days left to get our early bird special of $200 ($220 after Sept 22nd).  Some scholarship funds available.  Please contact myra@eslcooperative.ca for more details.

 Visit www.eslcooperative.ca for info or register@eslcooperative.ca.

Dates: Sept 30 & Oct 1, Oct 14 & 15, Oct 28 & 29 (Fridays: 6:30 - 9:30pm, Saturdays 8:30 am - 3:30 pm)

The ESL Cooperative's 30 hour training will prepare you to use ESL to reach your community:

• Receive a comprehensive training manual, textbook and resource CD
• Learn to plan and deliver conversation-style lessons
• Discover how to show Christ's love across cultural boundaries.

Teacher Tips & Tricks

 By James Edel, former CESLM Board Member

I went back from the country where I am a beginner and low level language learner to my home country for a week of holidays.  I noticed a few things that may shed light on the experience that your students are going through.  

First, I felt immediately a better participant in the rhythm of my home culture because I could understand EVERYTHING!  Every idiom, every innuendo, all of the subtleties that let me know the meaning behind the message of everyone I talked to, came naturally.  I felt like I had a new super-power.  I could make small talk so easily, I could command attention with my quick use of the appropriate starting expression.  I could interrupt and interject on cue.  

In my second language even the most basic of interactions can leave me humbled and taxed.  I'm reminded again of how your low level students are so unable to participate in and unable to enjoy their Canadian life to the fullest when they cannot use English appropriately.

Did I mention not feeling lonely?  I was swamped with family and friends.  Why, why did I have to move away from all of these dear ones?  This situation may be exasperated for those who are refugees and have permanently lost home and maybe even the contacts for loved ones.  Before this turns into an essay let me remind you that your ability to teach, to provide good community service information, to befriend, to pray for, to invite over for dinner, can be the perfect remedy for someone feeling powerless, lonely, and lost.  Thank you for giving voice to the voiceless - and aren't their voices, when honed, delightful?!

James Edel teaches English in Akita, Japan and is a busy language learner and new culture learner as well.