English as a Missionary Language

Teaching English as a Missionary Language has become a growing concern amongst teachers as more and more churches operate missionary activities in the guise of teaching English which undermines the credibility and the motives of professional language teachers.

Often when a country will not issue missionary visas (e.g., China) a church will get around this barrier by seeking work visas for missionaries who then get work as English teachers. However, being organized by churches, the aim of these migrant workers is actually to seek converts rather than teach English.

The Mormon Church sends hundreds of missionaries to China and Japan in this way through Interac and its other subsidiaries.