Start an ESL Ministry

Start an ESL Ministry

What is an ESL ministry?

Using English classes to build relationships, serve your community, and share the love of Christ.

An ESL (English as a Second Language) ministry is a church or Christian organization that welcomes people who want to improve their English. Through classes, conversation, and genuine relationships, volunteers have the opportunity to serve people from many different cultures and backgrounds.

At its heart, an ESL ministry is about more than teaching English. It’s about creating a welcoming place where people can learn, connect, feel valued, and experience the love of Christ.

ESL ministries can look different from church to church. Some offer weekly classes, while others include conversation groups, Bible studies, cultural events, or practical English for everyday life. Whatever the format, a healthy ESL ministry combines excellent teaching with authentic relationships and intentional hospitality.

Starting an ESL Ministry

Starting an ESL ministry is an exciting opportunity—but there are many decisions to consider along the way. We’ve created resources to help you at every stage, whether you’re just exploring the idea or getting ready to open your doors.

Want the quick overview? Start with our How to Start an ESL Ministry Brochure for a simple, at-a-glance look at the process.

Ready to go deeper? Our comprehensive A Step-by-Step Guide for Churches: From the First Prayer to the First Year Guide below walks you through the process step by step, with practical tools, checklists, worksheets, and resources to help you move from prayer and planning to launch, growth, and evaluation.

Take a look at the overview in the brochure, then explore the full guide and tools below when you’re ready to dig deeper.

View the Brochure

A step-by-step guide for churches: From the first prayer to the first year

Starting an ESL ministry can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never taught English or started a ministry like this before. You don’t have to have all the answers before you begin.

This guide will walk you through the process one step at a time—from praying about the opportunity and learning from other ministries to welcoming your first students, building relationships, and creating a ministry that can thrive for years to come.

You don’t have to do it alone. TESOL Ministry is here to help.

Stage 1: Discover

Pray, learn, and understand what God may be leading your church to do.

DISCOVER → PLAN → LAUNCH → BUILD → GROW

1. PRAY

Begin with prayer.  Continue with prayer.

Before making plans, ask God to guide your church and show you where He is already working in your community.

Pray for the people who may walk through your doors, for wisdom about how to serve them well, and for the leaders and volunteers who will help build the ministry.

And don’t stop praying when the planning is finished. Prayer should remain part of your ministry—from leadership meetings and volunteer gatherings to praying for students and their families.

Think of prayer as the foundation of the ministry, not the first item on a checklist.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

Not sure how to pray? Download our Prayer Guide for Churches Considering ESL Ministry.

Connect with other Christian ESL ministry leaders and find resources to help your team pray, plan, and prepare. Join us for our free monthly prayer & networking calls or visit our Prayer Summit pages for more free resources. 

Sign up for Monthly Prayer & Networking Calls
Prayer Guide

2. Visit an Existing ESL Ministry

Before you build one, go see one.

 

If there is an ESL ministry near you, ask if you can visit. If possible, visit more than one. Seeing different approaches will help you understand what’s possible—and help you decide what might work well in your church. 

As you visit, notice:

  • How are students welcomed?
  • What happens when students first arrive?
  • How are classes organized?
  • How are students placed into levels?
  • What does a typical lesson look like?
  • How many volunteers are involved?
  • What curriculum do they use?
  • What happens with children?
  • How is faith incorporated?
  • How does the ESL ministry connect with the rest of the church?

And be sure to ask the ministry leader:

“If you were starting over, what would you do differently?”

You can learn a tremendous amount from someone who has already worked through the challenges you’re about to face.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

We can help you connect with other Christian ESL ministry leaders and learn from churches that are already doing this work. Download the ESL Ministry Observation Checklist to help you make the most of your visit. Available for free on TESOL Ministry’s ESL Curriculum Exchange.

Contact Us to Find ESL Ministries Near You
Download the Checklist

3. Start With the Why

Understand your purpose before you build your program.

What is God calling your church to do?

An ESL ministry is more than an English class. It can be a way for your church to serve its community, build relationships with people from around the world, demonstrate the love of Christ, and help people become part of the life of the church.

Before deciding what your classes will look like, determine what you hope the ministry will accomplish.

Ask:

  • Who do we want to serve?
  • Why do we want to offer ESL?
  • What do we want students to experience?
  • How will relationships be part of the ministry?
  • How does ESL ministry fit our church’s mission?
  • What would success look like after one year?

 

Your “why” will help guide many of the decisions that come later.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

Use our planning resources to help your team clarify its vision and goals before you begin.

4. Learn About Your Community

Don’t guess what your community needs. Listen and learn.

Before deciding what classes to offer, find out who you’re hoping to serve.

Look at your community and ask:

  • Who are the English learners in our area?
  • What languages and cultures are represented?
  • Where do potential students live, work, worship, and gather?
  • What English programs already exist?
  • What needs aren’t being met?
  • What days and times might work best?
  • What do potential students want to learn?

Talk with people in your community whenever possible. A conversation with potential students can often teach you more than a demographic report.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

Use our community assessment tools to help you identify opportunities and make informed decisions about your program.

5. Get Church Leadership's Support

Get the green light before you build the program.

An ESL ministry needs more than one enthusiastic volunteer. Before moving forward, talk with your pastor and appropriate church leadership.

Discuss:

  • Why you want to begin an ESL ministry
  • How it fits the church’s mission
  • Who will lead it
  • What space will be needed
  • What it will cost
  • What volunteers will be needed
  • What safety policies apply
  • What will happen if the ministry grows

It’s especially important to discuss what could happen if the ministry is successful.

Students may begin attending your church. Families may become involved. Your congregation may become increasingly multicultural.

Is your church ready to welcome them—not just into an ESL class, but into the life of the church?

TESOL Ministry Can Help

We can provide resources to help you communicate the vision of ESL ministry to church leaders and prepare for the decisions ahead.

6. Prepare the Whole Church

An ESL ministry can change the church, too.

The goal isn’t to create a small group of volunteers who serve “the ESL people.”

The goal is to help the whole church become a welcoming community for people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Invite church members to:

  • Pray for students
  • Attend social events
  • Become conversation partners
  • Help with childcare
  • Host meals
  • Participate in cultural activities
  • Welcome students at church
  • Build friendships outside the ESL classroom

As the ministry grows, look for ways to involve more people.

You don’t have to teach ESL to be part of the ministry.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

We can connect you with ideas and resources for involving the broader church and building relationships between ESL students and congregation members.

Stage 2: Plan

Make thoughtful decisions about the ministry you want to build.

DISCOVER → PLAN → LAUNCH → BUILD → GROW

7. Decide What Kind of ESL Ministry You Want to Offer

Not every ESL ministry needs to look the same.

Before choosing a curriculum, decide what you actually want students to experience.

Conversation Groups

Students practice speaking and listening through guided conversation.

Best for: Students who already have some English and want to become more comfortable speaking.

Traditional ESL Class

Students receive systematic instruction in English vocabulary, grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Best for: Students who want to develop their overall English ability, particularly beginning and intermediate learners.

Conversation + Teaching

A structured ESL lesson is combined with opportunities to practice conversation.

Best for: Many church ESL programs because it combines language development with relationship-building.

ESL Bible Study

Students study the Bible while developing their English.

Best for: Students with enough English to participate in Bible discussion.

ESL + Devotional or Prayer

A traditional ESL class includes a short devotional, Scripture reading, or prayer component.

Best for: Churches that want faith to be an intentional part of the class while maintaining systematic English instruction.

English for Specific Purposes

English instruction focuses on a particular need, such as employment, healthcare, citizenship, or everyday life.

Best for: Programs serving students with a specific practical goal.

You can combine these approaches. The important thing is to decide what you’re offering and communicate it clearly.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

We can help you explore examples of different ESL ministry models and find resources to help you determine which approach fits your church and community.

8. Decide How Faith Will Be Incorporated

Be clear with students from the beginning.

If your ESL ministry is part of a Christian church, decide ahead of time how faith will be part of the program.

Possibilities include:

  • Secular ESL curriculum with a separate devotional
  • ESL classes that include prayer
  • Christian ESL curriculum
  • ESL classes with biblical content
  • An optional ESL Bible study
  • A combination of ESL instruction and Bible study

There isn’t one right model for every church.

What matters is that your church makes an intentional decision and communicates honestly with students about what the program includes.

For example, if Bible study is a required part of the class, students should know that when they register—not discover it unexpectedly after they arrive.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

Explore different approaches to integrating faith and English instruction, along with curriculum and Bible study resources.

9. Understand English Levels

“Beginner” doesn’t tell you nearly enough.

One of the first things new ESL programs discover is that students can have very different abilities.

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) provides a common way to describe English proficiency.

Very simply:

Pre-A1 — Little or no English
A1 — Can use very basic words and phrases
A2 — Can communicate about familiar, everyday topics
B1 — Can handle many everyday conversations
B2 — Can communicate comfortably about many topics
C1 — Can communicate effectively in complex situations
C2 — Highly proficient

Students may also have different abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

That’s why a placement assessment is helpful.

And remember:

A student’s country of origin does not tell you their English level.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

We provide resources to help you understand English levels, place students appropriately, and measure progress over time.

 

10. Decide Who You Are Serving

Who is your ministry designed to serve?

Consider whether your program is primarily for:

  • Adults
  • Parents
  • International students
  • Immigrants
  • Refugees
  • Seniors
  • Professionals
  • Families
  • People with very limited literacy

Also consider students who may have had little formal education or may not read or write well in their first language. 

When you begin classes, you might have students from different countries attend. This can add a richness to the community your classes create.

Knowing your students will help you choose your classes, curriculum, schedule, and volunteers.

 

11. Plan Your Ministry Team

Don’t do everything yourself.

Think about the people needed to make the ministry work.  If your church is small or you don’t expect many volunteers, it’s fine to start with just one class.  If there are people interested in starting the ministry, invite them to be involved in the planning process. 

  • Ministry leader
  • Administrator
  • Teachers
  • Conversation partners
  • Greeters
  • Registration
  • Childcare volunteers
  • Prayer team
  • Substitute teachers
  • Social/event helpers

Give each role a clear purpose (and even a job description) and realistic time commitment.

Teachers don’t need to speak another language to teach English.

A healthy ministry distributes responsibility rather than depending on one person.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

Connect with other ESL ministry leaders and find resources to help define, recruit, and prepare volunteer roles.

12. Decide What to Do With Children

Don’t leave childcare until the last minute.

Many English learners are parents. If they don’t have a safe place for their children, they may not be able to attend.

Determine:

  • Will childcare be offered?
  • What ages can you accommodate?
  • Will children participate in existing children’s programs?
  • Will there be separate children’s activities?
  • What ages will you accommodate?
  • How many volunteers are needed?
  • What safety policies apply?
  • Who will coordinate the children’s program?
  • Will childcare be only babysitting, have a lesson, craft, game?

This decision needs to happen before you advertise, because your childcare plan may affect who can participate.

13. Create a Budget & Facilities Plan

Know what it will take to operate the ministry.

Facilities: Work with church leadership to find out what rooms you can use for classes & childcare if you are offering it. Remember that you will need a place to store materials and supplies, as well as securely store files. Find out how class rooms need to be left after class. (Take pictures if necessary so furniture can be returned to the same state.)

Budget Considerations:

  • Curriculum
  • Printing
  • Classroom supplies
  • Technology
  • Advertising
  • Background checks
  • Childcare & children’s activities
  • Refreshments
  • Special events
  • Student materials
  • Training
  • Volunteer Appreciation

Then ask:

What will this ministry cost after the first year?

A sustainable ministry needs a plan for ongoing funding—not just startup expenses.

 

14. Design Your Program

Now put the pieces together.

Decide:

  • How many classes will you offer?
  • Which levels?
  • How many students per class?
  • How often will you meet?
  • How long will classes last?
  • In person, online, or hybrid?
  • Will you offer conversation practice?
  • Will you offer a Bible study?
  • Will you include prayer or a devotional?
  • Will you have social activities?
  • Will you offer refreshments?
  • What are your attendance expectations?
  • How will students register?

Start with what your church can do well and sustain. You can always grow.

15. Choose Your Curriculum & Teaching Approach

Choose curriculum based on your students needs.

Now that you know your ministry model and students, you can evaluate curriculum.  Choose your curriculum based on your students’ needs, your purpose for starting an ESL ministry, your teachers’ experience, and how often your classes will meet.  

Look at:

  • English levels covered
  • Speaking and listening
  • Reading and writing
  • Grammar and vocabulary
  • Teacher preparation
  • Student materials
  • Homework
  • Online practice
  • Assessments
  • Cost
  • Printing requirements
  • Cultural appropriateness
  • Christian content, if desired

There is no single curriculum that is right for every ESL ministry.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

Explore curriculum designed for Christian ESL ministries and resources that can help students continue practicing English between classes.

16. Establish Policies & Safety

Create a safe environment for students, children, and volunteers.

Before classes begin, make sure you understand your church’s policies and determine what additional procedures are needed for the ESL ministry. 

For safety reasons do not post photos of your students or their children on church or social media pages without their express, written consent (on a form in their native language).  If they sign the waiver to grant permission, talk with them to make sure they understood their picture may appear on the church’s social media pages that are viewable anywhere in the world.

Consider:

  • Volunteer screening
  • Background checks
  • Child protection
  • Confidentiality
  • Appropriate boundaries
  • Emergency procedures
  • Transportation
  • Photography/media
  • Student information
  • Building safety

 

Whenever possible, use your church’s existing policies rather than creating separate policies for ESL.

17. Recruit & Train Volunteers

Volunteers don’t have to speak Spanish to teach ESL.

Look for people who are:

  • Patient
  • Dependable
  • Teachable
  • Relational
  • Comfortable around people from different cultures
  • Willing to learn

Volunteers should understand or be willing to learn:

  • How adults learn languages
  • How to work with different English levels
  • How to use the curriculum
  • How to encourage conversation
  • Cultural awareness
  • Building relationships
  • Appropriate faith conversations
  • Safety and boundaries

Good training helps volunteers feel confident—and helps students receive a better experience.

Your entire team should be trained before launching the program.  

TESOL Ministry Can Help

We’ll help you find training and practical resources for ESL teachers and volunteers.

 

Stage 3: Launch

Put your plans into action and welcome your first students.

DISCOVER → PLAN → LAUNCH → BUILD → GROW

18. Reach Out to Your Community

Let people know you’re here.

Even the best ESL ministry won’t help anyone if people don’t know it exists. Think about where English learners in your community already spend time and who they already trust.

Invite students through:

  • Personal relationships
  • Church members
  • Community organizations
  • Libraries
  • Schools
  • Local businesses
  • Social media
  • Flyers
  • Word of mouth
  • Community partnerships

Don’t rely on just one method. A personal invitation from someone a student already knows may be more effective than an advertisement.

Make your invitation clear:

Who is the class for? What will students learn? When and where does it meet? Is it free? Is Bible study or prayer included? Is childcare available?

Use simple, accessible language in your promotional materials. If possible, provide information in the languages commonly spoken in your community.

Don’t make people guess what they’re signing up for.

TESOL Ministry Can Help

Find outreach ideas, sample promotional materials, and resources to help you invite students into your ministry.

We're building the rest of the guide... Check back soon for more steps!