Teaching English as a Second Language

This course examines the importance of culture and worldview in an increasingly multicultural world, and will give special attention to “reading” a city in preparation for service. It explores cultural diversity and the necessary skills for identifying the traits of different cultures (including the student’s own), in order to equip them to effectively interact with people of other cultures as they seek to fulfill the Great Commission and do their part to extend the kingdom of God among all nations.

Cultural Anthropology
This course is an introduction to the social science known as cultural anthropology. Readings, films, websites, lectures, reports, and an exam provide a survey of vocabulary, concepts, and illustrations related to this branch of anthropology. Class lectures, outside reading, and films provide more in-depth case studies on the Near East Bedouin, Western Apache, and Old Order Amish, among others.

Practical Anthropology
This course introduces cultural anthropology with special attention to the application of an anthropological perspective to Christian mission. Students learn to examine the framework of beliefs, assumptions, values, and behaviors that shape people’s lives, in order to be more effective in ministry.

This course focuses on practical strategies of evangelism and discipleship in a cross-cultural setting that result in indigenous-led churches which reproduce themselves by planting more churches. Special attention is given to contextualization, creative access strategies into closed countries, personal spiritual development, spiritual warfare, raising support, communicating with supporters, family dynamics, choosing an organization, and the changing role of the western missionary.

This course presents a comprehensive and dynamic view of the mandate for Christian missionary activity. Students are challenged to a growing awareness that world evangelism is four-dimensional: biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic. A special emphasis is given to issues revolving around cultural and cross-cultural communication, along with how sensitivity in these areas can help further realize God’s global purpose.

This course examines the unique problems and strategies for communicating the gospel effectively in intercultural contexts. Special attention is
given to the student’s personal role in intercultural communication, including language, behavior, and sensitivities needed to bridge cultural boundaries.

This course introduces students to principles and processes for developing a theology of mission for the context in which they serve. Emphasis is placed on biblical precedent and a practical approach to the local context.

This course helps students understand the system of rules that comprise the real grammar of English and leads students systematically from an understanding of the structures themselves to an ability to use this understanding in an ESL/EFL classroom, as well as in more informal “tutoring” situations. The course deals more with concepts and content than with application.

Students consider the challenges and joys of the cross-cultural educator. The course seeks to help teachers better understand their own culture of learning and teaching, while becoming effective teachers in a context other than their own. Cross-cultural teaching methods, techniques, appropriate lesson planning, and more are addressed for those who teach in cross-cultural or multicultural settings.

Foundations in Linguistics
This course introduces students to the complexity of human language. It is designed to introduce material in three interrelated units, including the nature of language, the grammatical aspects of language, and the applied areas of language. The course focuses on issues such as how the brain and language are related, how language sounds are produced and formed into words and sentences, and how those words and sentences are used to convey meaning. The course also addresses applied areas, such as dialects of English, pragmatics, bilingualism, language acquisition, and language instruction. While covering these various aspects of language, the ways in which the content relates to ministry are addressed.

Introduction to Linguistics
This course introduces the process of language analysis with the goal of enhancing the student’s ability to learn language. Students gain a framework for understanding and identifying the sound systems and grammatical structures of different languages.

This course examines the four second/foreign-language learning skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and introduces students to a variety of instructional methodologies developed by ESL practitioners. Attention is also given to the teaching of grammar, the creation and use of placement and testing instruments, the critical examination of classroom texts, the study of contemporary theories of second/foreign language teaching, and to further study of current theory regarding language acquisition. Development of classroom lessons implementing methodologies discussed in class, especially the production of instructional visuals, is emphasized.

Typically completed during the spring term, this course consists of orientation meetings, required paperwork, required reading, cultural research, application for the student’s internship, and other necessary preparations for the field internship.

This internship provides on-the-job training under the supervision and guidance of an experienced missions practitioner where students are given opportunities to apply classroom instruction in cross-cultural situations. Internships directed by Johnson University’s School of Intercultural Studies enable students to gain ministry experience in their area of concentration in a cross-cultural setting. The term “cross-cultural” refers to cultural “distance,” whether geographical, theological, linguistic, or social, without regard to “foreign” or “home” distinctions. Internships test students’ aptitude for intercultural ministry, provide a laboratory for the application of classroom-learned theory, and offer exposure to life and practice on the cross-cultural field, all under the supervision and mentoring of an experienced and successful practitioner. Three-credit 10-week (minimum) internships include a minimum 300 hours of cross-cultural work, which students normally complete during the summer between their junior and senior years.

Typically this course is completed during Fall Session 1, upon successful completion of the internship preparation and internship. During this course, students will successfully complete all paperwork and other debriefing requirements for their time on the field in internship. Elements such as debriefing, field reports, and supporter reports are a part of this course. Successful completion of all course components is required.

This senior-level course completes the examination of the four second/foreign language learning skills begun in ESL/EFL Methods & Materials by stressing strategies for teaching reading and writing. The course provides more in-depth study of teaching methods, pronunciation instruction techniques, lesson planning, and English for Special Purposes. The course also examines the use of video production and instructional technology for the ESL classroom, explores topics in curriculum development, and examines ESL standards by grade/age level. Additionally, students investigate research in ESL classroom communication, the role of culture in ESL instruction, development of ESL ministries, and other relevant topics.