This is a Group Chat IRL session. These lively, highly interactive sessions are designed to highlight the wealth of knowledge and experience among conference attendees.
Sit in groups at round tables, and be guided by an expert facilitator on a relevant topic. Come prepared to share, to listen, to learn something new – and to go home with practical skills and fresh ideas.
(IRL = “In Real Life”)
About This Session
Description
Teaching in a faith-affiliated ESL program brings unique opportunities and challenges. This interactive Group Chat IRL session will give participants a chance to share experiences, discuss common concerns, and learn practical solutions from fellow teachers and volunteers.
Faith-affiliated ESL programs often face similar questions: How do we improve student persistence and overcome barriers to success? How do we engage students from diverse levels and backgrounds in the same classroom? How do we create pathways from ESL class to the life of the church? How do we navigate multilevel classrooms, lesson planning, and faith conversations in appropriate ways?
This discussion-based session will create space for participants to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and explore practical approaches to common challenges in faith-affiliated ESL ministry.
What we'll cover:
Participants will discuss real-world classroom challenges and share strategies that have worked in their own programs.
Topics may include student attendance, encouraging conversation, multilevel instruction, lesson planning, and sharing faith naturally and respectfully.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Identify practical strategies for addressing common ESL classroom challenges
- Learn from the experiences and best practices of other faith-affiliated ESL educators
Topics & Focus
Primary Topic Area
Session will also cover:
Assigned by TCALL
Pending
Audience
Level
Case study?
Promotion?
This session is sponsored by / will focus on –
Find definitions of topic areas, audiences, levels, and PD categories by clicking on any icon, or see them all on this page.
Discussion Facilitator
Matthew Johnston
Executive Director
Literacy ConneXus
Visit Literacy ConneXus in the conference Exhibitor Area!
Matthew Johnston is an experienced instructional specialist and ESL educator based in Dallas, Texas. Currently, he serves as an ESL and Outreach Catalyst with Forefront Experience, an ESL teacher at the Northwest Community Center in Dallas, and an ESL Support Coordinator and TECs trainer with Literacy ConneXus.
Matthew has a strong background in curriculum development, teaching diverse students, and fostering cross-cultural learning.
Breakout26 – JOHNSTON
Page checked or updated: 6/19/2026
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