Short-term Missions Trip
Lifehope Autumn - ELCO Sep 2012 - Jan 2013 (United Kingdom)
The purpose of the English Language and Community Outreach (ELCO) programme is to equip trainee mission workers with effective English language communication skills. This is done through English classes and participation in a church-based outreach situation. The partner church will be encouraged and community projects will be developed.
You will have English lessons 5 days a week, for a total of 15-20 hours a week. Lessons are taught by qualified English teachers who will help you improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. You will also work on grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary. You will practise your English as you talk to local people in the community and in your church ministry. Activities will include:
English lessons
Conversation classes
Mission & outreach training sessions
Friendship evangelism
Reaching children
Youth work
Other church ministry
The English you learn will equip you for daily living and for talking with others about your Christian faith. Your involvement in community outreach with a local church will give you practice and help you gain confidence in speaking English. The skills you develop and experience in church ministry will be vital as you look towards a future in missions.
This programme is specifically for trainee mission workers, preparing to join OM or another mission organisation. Before arriving, you must be able to have a simple conversation in English or the classes will be too difficult for you. We cannot take beginners.
You willl live at our Lifehope Training Centre in dormitory style bunk beds.
Food will be provided at our Training Centre by our cook. Special dietary needs have to be communicated in advance.
The arrival point is Birmingham New Street train station or Birmingham Digbeth Coach station. If you are travelling by plane, please try to book flights to Birmingham International Airport (BHX). If there are cheaper flights to any of the London airports or Manchester airport, you can then take a bus or train to Birmingham.
You should be in average good health and able to walk a reasonable distance without difficulty. You are responsible to obtain appropriate emergency health and medical insurance.
Nationals from the EU and EEA do not require a visa for the UK. For all other nationalities you will either require an acceptance letter in order to apply for a visa or just a course acceptance letter to present at the airport on arrival in the UK. In both cases you will enter the UK as a Student Visitor.
Before confirming acceptance we will ask applicants to take a written English placement test to provisionally assess their level of English.
