1) Some distinctions: - If you are interested in teaching children, especially those who are economically disadvantaged, it would be helpful to study elementary education. This would train you to understand the needs of children, what motivates them, and how to communicate with them. - ESL is always helpful, but this would be more for either high-school children or adults.

2) The scenarios - Thinking in terms of Latin America, there are Christian schools. In the old days, when the missionaries were doing pioneer work, they often founded schools as a way of making contact with the people and winning their good will. Run by missions, the education was either free or low cost, heavily subsidized by foreign funds. More and more, Christian schools are being run by nationals and the goal is for them to be self-sustaining. This means they have to charge, and though they try to give some scholarships, parents have to be able to pay for the education their children are receiving. Thus, one does not see the really poor kids able to afford this kind of education. Some of these schools still have foreign teachers, but more and more there are Christian young people graduating from college who are eager for a job, and see the foreign teachers as competition. - There are agencies working with "children at risk," street kids, slum dwellers, etc. These agencies would love to have a teacher with a heart for the poor and training to teach.

3) Preparation - As a Christian your purpose would be more than teach kids secular subjects. You would want to help them come to know Jesus. Therefore, you will need Bible and some theological training. - One possibility would be to attend a Bible college where you could major in elementary education, take Bible courses, and mission courses as well. I would check out Moody Bible Institute (Chicago) or Columbia International University (look them up on the web). - If you are interested in Latin America and like Spanish, take your language requirement in Spanish. However, if you become a missionary you'll be able to go to language school with expert teachers, living in the Latin American context, probably living with a national family. This is where you'll learn your language.

4) Experience. - While in college, look for opportunities to work with inner city kids or at least a Sunday School class. - You also want to grow in your own spiritual life. Look for like minded students, form a prayer group for missions, and encourage each other in your spiritual disciples of Bible reading and prayer. - I would recommend that you attend the Urbana Student Mission Convention to be held the last week of the year in 2009 in St. Louis. There you will be able to meet representatives of hundreds of mission agencies. - You might also like to consider the Latin America Spearhead program - a two month long, hands on experience in Mexico.

Well, Julia, this is probably more than you bargained for! Think through what I have suggested, and if you have any more questions, just let me know.