Missionary Language Progression

The number one factor in language improvement is time spent in intentional practice and study.

The number one influence on missionary language improvement is encouragement from mission leaders. “Experience has shown that one of the greatest positive influences on a missionary’s commitment to improve language ability is the high expectation and encouragement of the mission president” (Handbook for Mission Leaders, 2.4.3).

Download a copy of the language progression reference graphic.

EnglishConnect for Missionaries Materials Are Provided at the MTC

At the MTC, non-English-speaking missionaries receive the EnglishConnect 1 Workbook, EnglishConnect 2 Workbook, and grammar book. When missionaries progress to EnglishConnect 3, they should use the EnglishConnect 3 online course (ec3.englishconnect.org). If missionaries don’t have daily internet access, mission offices can provide printed copies of the EnglishConnect 3 Workbook.

Notes:

• Missionaries who do not attend an MTC will need to receive the workbooks from the mission office.

• Non-English-speaking missionaries assigned to speak English as their mission language will use the EnglishConnect 3 online course as a supplement to their missionary language curriculum.

How Do I Know How Missionaries Are Doing?

Below are a few of the tools to evaluate how missionaries are progressing.

• Native speakers
  Ask native speakers (local members, leaders, and so forth) how the missionaries are doing.

• Language assessments
  Missionaries will take regularly scheduled, tri-annual language assessments. As part of the language assessment, missionaries will answer survey questions indicating how many hours a week they are studying and their feelings about their progress. The results are available in the Language Development Report (found in the Missionary Portal). You can use this information to help missionaries prayerfully set goals and make plans to improve their language ability and account for their efforts.

• Progress over time
  Typically, if a missionary is studying English daily and practicing with their companion, they will progress at this general pace:

Months 1–6	EnglishConnect 1
Months 6–12	EnglishConnect 2
Months 12–18	EnglishConnect 3
Months 18–24	EnglishConnect 3

Note: This general timeline is based on missionaries without prior English experience completing one lesson a week. Some missionaries may move faster through the levels. Encourage missionaries to move to the next level as soon as possible as they complete the activities.

Missionaries can use the assessments on the EnglishConnect for Missionaries website to evaluate their progress and their readiness for EnglishConnect 3.

The EnglishConnect 3 online self-study course includes assessments and tools to help missionaries track their progress.

Missionaries who complete the EnglishConnect 3 online course can receive a certificate for listening, speaking, reading, and writing and waive the English assessment when they apply to BYU–Pathway Worldwide.

What Resources Are Available?

• Language Learning page in Missionary Portal

• Language Development Report

• EnglishConnect for Missionaries website

• Preach My Gospel, chapter 7

• Language Support Team at [e-mail]