Those who can, Teach!

At first the local stallholders in the African market were surprised to see a stall run by an American couple, with Christian books and pictures on display. However, little by little they got to know the couple and learned that the Americans were willing to spend time with them, teaching them to speak English or French, or teaching them literacy skills. They would come to learn from the couple, returning to their own stalls whenever a customer appeared. But for those who were interested, there was the opportunity to learn more than just the language. Through the relationships built and the teaching which took place, several people from that market place now have a place in God's kingdom.

The English class in the Central Asian school did a great job of performing the nativity story in the style of a news report with a news reader and reporters. Those who wanted to find out more about the Christmas story and Jesus' life were able to take a New Testament in English in comic format. Most students took a copy and a couple of them commented "This is really thoughtful gift for this time of the year, thank you".

The students had enjoyed the games and the sports, the English lessons and the bible studies on the summer camp in the mountains of Slovakia. Many of the camp leaders and helpers were the same age as the campers and good, lasting friendships had developed. One student had attended the camps for 4 summers but had not shown any interest in the more spiritual side of the camp activities. But now for the first time he started to really take in what the camp leaders were saying about their Christian faith, and he began to take those steps which would eventually lead him to put his own trust in God.

The university student sat in a cafe in Asia and listened as her English teacher shared the story of how her life had changed. Several times the girl would put her hands on her cheeks with open mouth and just shake her head in amazement. It was all new to her - the first time she had ever heard such things. "I feel like I am in a box and I want to see what is outside the box" she said, gladly welcoming the gift of a New Testament and the opportunity to read the scriptures.

What do these stories have in common? All are examples of ways in which Christians are using English teaching in mission throughout the world.

Why English teaching? Like it or not, English is the most sought after language in the world. For many poorer people the ability to speak English is a path to employment and a way out of the poverty trap. For others, a knowledge of English provides them with much needed access to text books. For street children in Uganda, attending lessons in numeracy, hygiene and English gives them a sense of self worth.

In some communities Christians find that being an English teacher gives them acceptance into the community. They are no longer viewed with suspicion or hostility. A teacher in her early 20's went to Honduras and comments "You can offer something and quickly be accepted in a community. I have found this to be true. I'm not just 'the English girl', I'm the English teacher".

The formal English classroom is often not an appropriate place to share the gospel, but it provides many opportunities for encouraging students to discuss the values which are important to them in life. And as students spend time with their teacher, they see the teacher's own lifestyle and they begin to get to know him or her as a person. Often this will cause them to wonder and ask questions about the beliefs which are central to their teacher's life. A Polish lady said to her Christian teacher, who was in her 60's, "I often have spells of depression and can hardly cope with myself and life. At such moments I think of you and wonder what is it that gives you so much energy and enthusiasm to offer such excellent teaching and such a special approach to us. What is it that makes you the person you are?" Another student said "At the language school I met a lot of committed Christians who were to me a great example of those who put Jesus in the centre of their lives. I started realising then how far I was from God and how much I needed God's grace and love to become a real believer".

The opportunities are vast and varied: In English-speaking countries, English teaching skills are needed for work with immigrants, asylum seekers and international students; Overseas such skills are used in many contexts, for example summer camps, gap year and short term mission placements, conversation classes, youth clubs, one-to-one informal lessons in homes and formal classes held in private language schools, junior and high schools and universities.

Whatever the context, it's important for the teacher to have received training in how to teach the English language. Are you one of 'those who can'?