Welcoming International Students to PCA

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OCT. 9, 2015

Introduction

Kim Anderson – kander59@emich.edu

BA Mass Communications, Moody Bible Institute

MA Teaching English as Foreign Language/Intercultural Studies, Columbia Biblical Seminary

Short term missions to Liberia, Egypt, Jamaica, Russia

Director of the ESL Program at Eastern Michigan University for 15 years

Today’s theme: The Table of the Lord

The Invitation

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

Scripture is full of examples of Jesus inviting people to dine with Him and to fellowship with Him. He shared meals as a means of ministry with the lost and as a means of discipleship with His disciples. Ministry to international students in the U.S. can be easily understood in the context of dining as well, and when believers approach international student ministry with a spirit of kindness, hospitality, preparation and generosity, God’s love and mercy does mighty things.

A glimpse of heaven – already at PCA

Going away party for Jade & Ysi Carrell, summer 2014

International Students have arrived at PCA!

Setting the table

What are our expectations?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqw715DaVxE

The “right” way

What are some features of the best meal events you have had?

Caviar on the mission field in Russia

What is the context from which you go about ministry to others?

(favorite salvation verses)

Setting the table

Acts 17:26-27 (NIV) 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 

Matthew 25 The Sheep and the Goats (NIV)

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  32All the nations will be gathered before him, 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

The Guests

International Students Choose USA (Education USA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKrToqjeJT8

Open Doors Infographic

http://www.iie.org/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors/Data/International-Students/Infographic

The dream starts in high school for many families

Questions/Comments

Student Perspectives

The Student’s experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckdtV6qEsDc

Take notes on specific points the student mentions in her experience.

Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally, 2nd edition by David J. Hesselgrave, 1991

Teaching ESL Writing by Joy M. Reid.Teaching ESL Writing by Joy M. Reid.

Teaching by Principles by H. Douglas Brown

Culture Shock

What is culture shock?

When do students experience culture shock? In what ways?

Do teachers experience culture shock?

(go to Word documents Culture Shock)

Managing expectations

Culture shock is all about expectations and managing situations when expectations (values) collide.

(see Culture Shock flowchart)

Communication is key to building bridges of understanding, which enables students to adjust and adapt. Listening and compassion are hallmarks of a Christian response that show students they are cared about and valued.

Questions/Comments

Language Issues

English proficiency required for admission

standardized tests (recognition vs. production)

BICS – basic interpersonal communication skills vs.

CALP – cognitive academic language proficiency

Idiomatic language and cultural references

Historical treatment of ELLs (separated instruction, content-based,etc.)

SIOP – Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (go to handout)

Managing languages needs in class

Incorporate language objectives in lessons – samples in content areas with handout

Utilize supplemental materials – academic vocabulary, cultural background, ESL library, ESL resource person

Give multiple options for response Give longer “wait time” than what seems comfortable

(international students need time for processing)

Building Community and Global Skills

Be intentional. Adding a brief activity once or twice a week to build awareness, competence.

Focus on collaboration for desired outcomes (solving a problem, analyzing a situation, adding to collective understanding, etc); don’t focus on comparing/contrasting culture and language.

Respect the students’ culture and language. International students need Jesus for personal salvation and relationship with God; they don’t need Jesus because they are culturally deprived or inferior. The Gospel transcends “success in the American culture.”

Suggestions for next steps for PCA

Accept where you are – there is much to do, much to learn. Take persistent manageable steps.

Establish ESL support system.

Establish mentor system (students, staff, teachers…)

Hold to English proficiency at the admission stage.

Establish common understanding of academic expectations (course completion), graduation requirements, Bible course expectations, etc.

Establish philosophy of ministry (mutual reciprocity vs. goal to convert)

Establish network of cultural buddies, cultural enlightenment (sports, entertainment, family life, etc.)

Closing Thought

“Heaven will be full of worshippers of the Lamb who are there because someone crossed geographical, linguistic and cultural barriers to present the powerful, supernatural message of the living Jesus Christ.” - William D. Taylor

Questions/Comments

References

American Cultural Patterns, by Stewart and Bennett, 1972.

Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally, 2nd Edition by Hesselgrave, 1991.

Learner English: A teacher’s guide to interference and other problems, by Swan and Smith, 1987.

Making Content Comprehensible for English Learners: The SIOP Model, by Echevarria, Vogt and Short, 2008.

Pronunciation Contrasts In English, 2nd Edition by Nilsen and Nilsen, 2010.

Teaching ESL Writing, by Joy M. Reid, 1993.

Teaching by Principles, by H. Douglas Brown.

The Art of Crossing Cultures, by Craig Storti.