Theological English
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The March 9 issue of Brigada Today contained the following item:
HELP DESIGN A THEOLOGICAL ENGLISH COURSE -- Jandre is a missionary living in Madagascar. She teaches English at a seminary, among other things. She writes, "The students only have two hours per week for English. As you can think, this is not nearly enough! And therefore I am looking for ways to maximise this time!" She wrote, looking for someone, "a clever person, who can help design a Theological English course!" If you'd like to brainstorm with her about this, just click "Edit" above in the top-line menu, then start your ideas below the "Please start brainstorming below this line":
To subscribe to Brigada Today, write to brigada-today-subscribe@yahoogroups.com See the Brigada website [1] for more information.
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[edit] Please start brainstorming below this line:
[edit] Ideas for teaching English EBT as a theological tool.
I taught Bible for theology for a number years of in a couple of seminaries in Latin America. First I determined the level of each group--basic, intermediate, advanced. thus, I decided to use all English or the native language for the group. I collected the materials for the level of English background. sometimes I taught in English. Sometimes I used the native language a lot in classes.
I emphasized that the course was to teach English for reading theological tools (commentaries, Bible dictionaries, etc.) there was usually no time to teach conversational English.
I collected a conglomerate of tools for the students--
- a very simple summary of English grammar. I did not emphasize grammar as teachers did years ago, but usually reviewed a major concept in each class (for example, irregular verbs)
- a list of reading strategies to help students learn to read and glean what they are looking for. I found these on internet and in texts to teach reading and comprehension. These strategies are very important. the class reviewed the strategy and did simple exercises to put it in practice.
- basic theological vocabulary. I used a Dictionary of Theological Terms in Simplified English published by EMIS. Sometimes I used a workbook based on that dictionary. With basic level English groups I made my own list.
- short articles from Christian magazines or online commentaries. The students read these for homework, sometimes making summaries in their own language, and sometimes answering questions of comprehension that I formulated.
- Just for fun, I occasionally began class with a dramatization of a Bible story with basic English vocabulary. Or, we sang a praise song with simple words.
Dodd, Debbie. Dictionary of Theological Terms in Simplified English. EMIS, Wheaton College, 2003.
Pierson, Cheri. Dictionary of Theological Terms in Simplified English: Student Workbook. EMIS, Wheaton College, 2003.
[edit] Passport Curriculum
Have you checked out Passport curriculum - I have enjoyed using it cross culturally for years:
- English Ministry
- Literacy and Evangelism > English Ministry
- ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE MINISTRY
- Literacy & Evangelism International's new Bible-content English curriculum, Passport to the World of English, is being successfully used around the world. Christian groups use this effective tool to minister and witness to those who cannot speak English, in countries where English is desired or needed.
- Bible-content ESL curriculum, Passport to the World of English
Passport to the World of English, published by Literacy & Evangelism International, is a 4-level series with student manuals, teacher's notes, and a total of 13 audio tapes. Each level:
- is adult-oriented
- stresses learner independence
- has easy-to-expand and easy-to-adapt lessons
- provides multi-media teaching and learning aids
- contains hundreds of line drawings, many by overseas artists
- has Bible content in every lesson
- teaches practical, everyday English.
Level 1: Let's Get Started! (Alphabet, major stress, rhythm and intonation patterns, high frequency words, common conversations, a selection from Psalms, Proverbs, or parables in every lesson, memorization and recitation of well-known English texts; 2 audio tapes or 2 CD's - this option to be used with the student text).
Level 2: Spelling & Grammar (emphasis on sound-symbol relationships and syllables, practical basic grammar, word families, and well-known Old Testament passages; 4 audio tapes with student text and familiar songs and hymns).
Level 3: Reading & Writing (emphasis on reading for meaning, writing clearly, and expressing oneself well; each lesson built on a New Testament passage; 4 audio tapes with student text and Gospel songs).
Level 4: Luke: ESL Study Edition (the Gospel of Luke, Today's English Version, especially annotated and illustrated for ESL use; 3 audio tapes with student text and Gospel songs, some from other cultures)
[edit] DVD for ESL Ministry
NATIONS TO NATIONS
This is a ten-lesson, thematic, multi-skill level textbook following the tutoring methodology of Passport to the World of English (PWE). It is designed for church teams to use on short-term mission trips.
TRAINING DVD (also available on VHS video tape)
This is the next best thing to a live training. It is great for churches and missionaries when a trainer is not available or when a refresher is needed on any or all aspects of teaching English with our materials.
In the United States, Consultants/Trainers travel to any location when invited by a church, to hold a 12-hour ESL tutor-training workshops that prepares volunteers to successfully tutor non-English speakers. The curriculum uses our Bible-content Passport to the World of English.
Overseas, our missionaries and associates may incorporate teaching English along with their basic literacy ministries. Consultants may also travel to other countries to hold English Language tutor-training workshops as invited by interested groups. We also hold one-week ESL Institutes with more intensive study, several times each year, in different locations.
We have prepared a handout entitled How to Begin an English Language Ministry at Your Church which you may request.
We have short-term and long-term mission opportunities in teaching English in the U.S. or overseas.
Source: Literacy & Evangelism International, 918-585-3826, 1800 S. Jackson Ave., Tulsa, OK 74107
Chronological Bible Study Bible Storying It is my understanding that oral learners find it is easier to learn when storying is used, similiar to Jesus' "style." Chronological teaching of the Biblical concepts are remembered best when the Bible events are attached to a concept such as substitutionary atonement: the first preview of the future completed work of Christ on the cross is in the Garden of Eden event of an animal's death to provide clothing for the first couple, Abraham's aborted sacrifice of Isaac, specific rules regarding sacrifices in the tabernacle and temple, and Jesus' death on the cross.
[edit] Alphabet, rudimentary English reading and pronunciation tip
When taught the English alphabet, students often get a huge emphasis on phonics. This is good and indeed necessary for starting and for most words, however, "th", "ge", "ce", "ck", "cy" are often very very dificult for most students to pick up. This makes it harder to sound things out. Sounding out words is how you read and learn a word that you haven't experienced yet, but when you as an experienced English reader read words, you read them as the entire word. Introducing the alphabet as "a, b, c, ce, ck, cy, d, etc" makes it faster to learn this from the start.
