ESL Curriculum

About Neighbor to Neighbor

Many ESL ministries have been searching for a curriculum written for them, volunteer programs who want to teach quality English lessons and share Jesus in the one or two classes they hold each week. Neighbor to Neighbor: Uniting through English was written for these ministries. It is a vocabulary- and life skills-based curriculum of 34 lessons with clearly written instructions for volunteer teachers and student books that
contain content that is not in conflict with our biblical values. The student books are secular, but the teacher’s guide is not and includes weekly personal devotions for teachers to encourage them as they plan their lessons.

This curriculum has been developed to be used by churches and anyone else teaching English as a Second Language. It is designed to work perfectly with the MNA ESL training so that teachers will never need to wade through college course materials or adapt workbooks into lesson plans again. It’s carefully crafted to provide learners with a strong foundation to communicate in their new country but without introducing them to controversial cultural elements.

Each of the five fluency levels includes 34 lessons per year, more than enough material for most ESL ministries. Colorful illustrations in the student book enhance the vocabulary taught. Spiral binding and well-spaced graphics allow students to make notes.

• Our first level, the Intro Level, gives students with very little or no English skills a basic foundation for communicating in their new country. They will learn concrete vocabulary and common expressions as they develop new skills in English.
•  Level 1 builds on what was taught in Intro Level, giving students the practical vocabulary they need as they integrate into their communities.  They will start to develop some confidence in their abilities to communicate in English as they learn additional skills.
• Level 2 continues to build on the foundation laid in the earlier levels, giving students more practical, life skill vocabulary and helping them develop greater confidence in their ability to use English in their communities. In this level, students’ knowledge of basic words is assumed.
• Available in mid-June 2025, Level 3 has been written for low intermediate students who can converse in a meaningful way in English but need more specific language, grammar skills, and cultural knowledge to interact confidently with English speakers.
• Available in early August 2025, Level 4 was written for high intermediate students who are hoping to improve their English for both social and professional interactions. They want specific vocabulary and grammar skills and to grow in their knowledge of the culture. When students have mastered Level 4, they are considered advanced English learners.

FAQ's Neighbor to Neighbor

How do Neighbor to Neighbor levels compare with those of other curricula?

You can find a comparison chart labeled Equivalencies for Student Assessment on the MNA ESL N2N webpage: https://pcamna.org/esl-information/

 Do teachers need a copy of the student book?

Yes, all teachers need a teacher book and a student book for their fluency level.

Is there a placement test for Neighbor to Neighbor?

Yes, there is a placement test for Neighbor to Neighbor, composed of 20 questions with three corresponding pictures. It’s available for free on our website at https://pcamna.org/esl-information/, but you will need a password to access it. The password is found at the end of the introduction in every N2N’s teacher’s guide. Because this is a brand-new placement test, we appreciate any feedback you would like to give us after you interview your students. Please send feedback to kbennet@pcanet.org. 

How much time should I allow for ordering?

Please place orders as soon as possible. Every effort is being made to ensure that orders are filled as soon as possible. If you are concerned about the time, consider using FedEx instead of the free shipping through Media Mail. If you do not receive your books in time for class, you can download the first lesson from this website or the N2N webpage, https://pcamna.org/esl-information/ .  If you need more lessons, contact Kathy Bennett at kbennett@pcanet.org and she will help you get what you need electronically.

Are there more books in the N2N series coming? 

Yes, we are expecting to have a literacy book available in the fall of 2026.  It will be a supplement for teachers to be used with the Intro Level books. 

How many lessons are included in each level?

There are 34 lessons in each level, with ten communication practice activities in each lesson.

Why write a new curriculum when there are so many other curricula available?

N2N was written for church and faith-based ministries, so that volunteers who take the MNA ESL training can easily teach excellent ESL classes with confidence. The teacher’s guides are specifically formatted to follow the MNA ESL lesson plan, saving time and removing guesswork. Also, there is no need to be concerned about the content of the lessons. While the student books are secular, N2N was written to be consistent with biblical values.  

How do I find out more about the MNA ESL training?

A list of scheduled ESL Trainings is on our website, www.pcamna.org/ministry/esl-ministries under Trainings.  If you would like to schedule one for your church, please contact Nancy Booher, MNA ESL Ministries Director, at nbooher@pcanet.org.