CELT 2021 Presenter Information
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Andrew Schneider
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Andrew Schneider is a Doctoral student in the Department of Applied Linguistics and ESL at Georgia State University and Aviation English Coordinator at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Florida. He is a mixed-methods researcher who specializes in second language acquisition, language policy and planning, and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) research - Aviation English. To God be the Glory.
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Session 5 on Saturday, March 6, from 3:30-4:00 (PT)
Language Policy Towards Proselytization in U.S. Church-Sponsored ESL Programs
Language Policy Towards Proselytization in U.S. Church-Sponsored ESL Programs
The role that faith can and should play in ESL/EFL teaching is fraught with controversy. This presentation will discuss findings from a case study which focuses on language policies and planning related to proselytizing in church-sponsored ESL programs. It will examine the implicit beliefs, values, and practices of volunteer instructors regarding proselytizing in church-sponsored ESL programs. Results from the qualitative analysis indicate that volunteers have different interpretations about how the Christian faith should or should not be integrated into curriculum. These beliefs stem from theological interpretations about religious conversion as well as the volunteers’ self-reported depth of religious beliefs. No evidence of proselytization or religious activities were observed, showing that locally-created policy was effective in its goal of separating the teaching of faith during ESL classes. This is significant because it represents, to date, the only example of examining explicit language policy and planning, adult ESL, and church-sponsored programs.