Kingfisher College offers a one year programme that combines English Language, theology and practical mission training. The course is community orientated - students will have local church support and be part of a learning community. Teaching and mentoring is based in true spirituality and empowered service.

Cross-cultural mission takes place in Birmingham, the second largest city in Britain. The locality is multi-racial and represents various religions and cultures from all over the world. The area is socially deprived and poor and the churches are small and struggling - an urban mission field. For more information go to Kingfisher College Locations.

All teaching will be applied rather than theoretical - teaching English means speaking English - teaching Theology means applied Theology. Acquiring information requires application. An essential part of training is the development of skills in Christian service. The most important part of training is in Christian character. The effectiveness and success of the missionary depends entirely on character.

The course consists of an average of 25 hours of lessons per week, as well as morning worship and prayer. Some modules include practical workshops, but there is also ample scope for evangelistic activities in East Birmingham. Please go to the Kingfisher Fees page for information about price.

Students will pray, live and learn together - developing their evangelistic skills and their spiritual character.

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English Language

Students will have the Pre-intermediate English Standard (level 3) before they arrive at Kingfisher College , and will be taught to the internationally recognised Cambridge First Certificate in English (Intermediate and Upper Intermediate levels 4-5). Students will also be taught Conversational English and, importantly, English for Mission Purposes.

Each language is formed by a particular culture. There is, therefore, considerable overlay between learning a language and learning its culture. Many of the English Language teaching materials enable students to explore cultural issues (such as Food, Greeting customs, Hospitality customs, Humour, Punctuality, Tradition and history, weather), and use the related vocabulary as the vehicle for learning the language. However, there will also be continued teaching on cultural issues through The Cultural Perspective for Communicating the Gospel (part of Training for Global Mission). Other location-specific cultural issues (for example English customs and humour), will need specialist training.

A brief summary of the syllabus (which is subject to change) is as follows:

Preparing the student to gain the Cambridge First Certificate In English.

Enabling the student to converse confidently in English.

Preparing the student for the theology (hyperlink back to training for global mission) section of the Kingfisher course.

In addition the programme will also include a short 20hr module aimed at familiarising students with English methods of study called 'Introduction, Assessment and Study Skills'

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Training for Global Mission

Mission training combines Bible-based study (for example, an investigation of 1 Corinthians) and studies of mission in the world church with practical workshops on how to communicate the gospel in a different culture. The modules for the course (subject to change) are as follows: