Cornerstone UniversityBuilding Bridges with ESL in Our Classroom, Church and Community

2023 ESL Conference

Join us for the 21st annual English as a Second Language (ESL) Conference on April 15, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Cornerstone Theological Seminary! You’ll hear from skilled TESOL professionals and learn techniques to strengthen your commitment to transformation and dynamic relationships in your classroom, church and community. We can’t wait to gather with you again and enjoy community together!

Based on the theme Building Bridges with ESL in Our Classroom, Church and Community, this year’s ESL Conference will feature effective techniques and strategies for enhancing student engagement and cultural understanding that can be applied in your ESL classroom or ministry. Workshops include topics such as “Incorporating Spiritual Themes Into Your ESL Lessons” led by Dr. Michael Pasquale, Monica Pasquale and Brian Pickerd.

View printable schedule

Registration

Register for the ESL Conference at Cornerstone today! This conference is designed to empower you and equip you with resources for teaching ESL, as well as connect you with other ESL learners, educators and ministry leaders in our community.

What Can You Expect?

At the conference, you can expect to network with other ESL professionals in our community. You’ll also hear from skilled TESOL professionals and learn skills that will strengthen your commitment to lasting transformation through powerful and dynamic relationships.

Network With Other Professionals

West Michigan is home to many ESL learners, teachers and ministry leaders. This conference is an opportunity to meet and connect with other ESL professionals in the area.

Strengthen Your Craft

The ESL Conference is an opportunity for you to be refreshed and reinvigorated in God’s calling for your life. Our hope is that this conference reignites your passion for teaching and learning.

Gain More Resources

All conference attendees will receive additional resources they can bring with them back into their ministry, classroom and everyday life.

Conference Information
and Resources

Plenary Speaker: Clare Jewell, Executive Director for ABWE EveryEthne

Clare Jewell serves as the Executive Director for ABWE EveryEthne. Their primary focus is to mobilize the church to reach every ethnic group in North America through disciple making that multiplies leaders and churches, believing that every person needs to be in a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Clare has been with ABWE EveryEthne since 2014. He has also been teaching Missional Living at Corban University for the past 7 years. Prior to that time, he served as the Senior Pastor of Lakewood Park Baptist Church in Auburn, IN for 21 years.

ESL Conference Sessions Descriptions: 2023

Heart, Mind, and Soul

God desires all people to come to repentance and live in a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Heart Mind Soul seminars are designed to help Christ followers develop redemptive relationships with people who are not like them. You will leave with a clear understanding of how to share the Gospel with specific people groups living in your geography.

MyCircle Training

Most training on evangelism focus on tools or programs for sharing the Gospel. MyCircle focuses on building relationships with the people God placed in your sphere of influence. This workshop is not about adding a program to your life. Instead, it challenges each believer to live with greater intention. You will leave with a clear strategy for integrating the mission of God into your everyday life.

Incorporating Spiritual Themes into Your ESL Lessons

Join us for a hands-on workshop on incorporating spiritual themes and cultural understanding into ESL lessons. Accompany us as we explore effective techniques and strategies for enhancing student engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to practice incorporating spiritual themes and culture into their language instruction and receive thoughtful feedback from peers and facilitators.

Schedule

The 2023 ESL Conference will be held on April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

8:00–9:00	GRTS Lobby: Registration
9:00-9:05	Seminary Chapel Opening Remarks, Dr. Michael Pasquale, Cornerstone University
9:05-9:30	Seminary Chapel Welcome, Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, President of Cornerstone University
9:30-10:30	Seminary Chapel: Plenary Presentation Heart, Mind, & Soul: Part One Clare Jewell EveryEthne
10:30-10:45	Seminary Lobby: Break (Coffee & Tea)
10:45-12:00	Workshop 1: Seminary Chapel Heart, Mind, & Soul: Part Two Clare Jewell EveryEthne
12:00–1:00	Seminary Lobby: Lunch
1:00–2:00	Workshop: Seminary Chapel MyCircle Training: Part One Clare Jewell EveryEthne	Workshop: Wood 103 Incorporating Spiritual Themes into Your ESL Lessons: Part One Michael Pasquale, Monica Pasquale, Brian Pickerd Cornerstone University, EveryEthne
2:00-2:15	Seminary Lobby: Break (Coffee & Tea)
2:15–3:15	Workshop: Seminary Chapel MyCircle Training: Part Two Clare Jewell EveryEthne	Workshop: Wood 103 Incorporating Spiritual Themes into Your ESL Lessons: Part Two Michael Pasquale, Monica Pasquale, Brian Pickerd Cornerstone University, EveryEthne
3:15-3:30	Seminary Chapel: Closing

Download the Schedule (pdf)

Session Speakers

Dr. Michael Pasquale is a Professor of Linguistics and Director of the MA TESOL program at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned his Ph.D. in Linguistics from Michigan State University. He also serves as the co-director of ESL for EveryEthne, the North American outreach for ABWE ministries.

Monica Pasquale is a passionate about language teaching and learning as a bridge to build relationships. She is an ESL (English as a Second Language) co-director and consultant for Every Ethne of ABWE (the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism). Because Monica’s parents were born and raised in Cuba and Monica grew up in Spain as a missionary kid, she is bilingual. She earned her B.A. from Cedarville College in English Education and her MA in TESOL at Cornerstone University. She has five years of experience teaching Spanish classes at Cornerstone University. She has over 15 years’ experience teaching English, training teachers, and serving as a consultant for churches and parachurch organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

Brian Pickerd is an instructor of languages (German and French) and a teacher trainer at Cornerstone University. He also teaches German and French at Rockford High School in Rockford, Michigan. Brian earned a master’s degree from Aquinas College in education with a focus on language acquisition and bachelor’s degrees in German, English, French and international studies.

Campus Map and Parking

The 2023 ESL Conference will be held at Cornerstone Theological Seminary on the campus of Cornerstone University. GRTS is building 8 on the campus map.

Download Campus Map (PDF)

Academic Programs

Admissions

Tuition & Financial Aid

Student Experience