Why English?
Our SALT team facilitators spent 5 days working with 40 Indonesian participants on conversational English. We started at 7 a.m. and sometimes didn’t stop until 9 or 10 p.m. In between 4 formal sessions a day the participants were engaged in conversation and exposed to English during worship services, tea breaks, meal times, field trips, shopping experiences, photo opportunities, game nights, and when it seemed just right to sing and dance.
Why do they want to learn English? I was asked the question before I left and have been asked it since. Here are some reasons shared by the participants and HKBP leaders: 1) If you are an English teacher you need to be able to confidently speak English. 2) All the schools in Indonesia teach English, it’s a requirement of the government. 3) Indonesia is facing globalization, the global current is ruled by English. 4) English is needed to compete with other nations in international affairs, in both secular and church arenas. 5) Higher level education opportunities usually require knowing English. 6) Resource books, i.e. psychology, are in English. 7) English can help people understand some concepts found in science that are foreign to the local culture. 8) The companionship between HKBP and the IK Synod needs a common language to help it become strong and grow.
We may have traveled half way around the world but our hosts and the participants made us feel at home. They embraced us with a smile, an easy going and positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a willingness to use whatever English they knew. In no time we found out that we have a lot in common- problems with finding time for family devotions, questions about effective evangelism, a desire to raise kids free from bad influences, high cholesterol…….and we all worship and serve a Risen Savior!
Its amazing what happened in just a matter of 5 days and how much we all learned. A little bit of English, God’s plan for each of us, a beautiful setting, and wonderful people was all it took. It was a recipe for success! Thanks to all who made this experience possible! Rachel
Our SALT team facilitators spent 5 days working with 40 Indonesian participants on conversational English. We started at 7 a.m. and sometimes didn’t stop until 9 or 10 p.m. In between 4 formal sessions a day the participants were engaged in conversation and exposed to English during worship services, tea breaks, meal times, field trips, shopping experiences, photo opportunities, game nights, and when it seemed just right to sing and dance.
Why do they want to learn English? I was asked the question before I left and have been asked it since. Here are some reasons shared by the participants and HKBP leaders: 1) If you are an English teacher you need to be able to confidently speak English. 2) All the schools in Indonesia teach English, it’s a requirement of the government. 3) Indonesia is facing globalization, the global current is ruled by English. 4) English is needed to compete with other nations in international affairs, in both secular and church arenas. 5) Higher level education opportunities usually require knowing English. 6) Resource books, i.e. psychology, are in English. 7) English can help people understand some concepts found in science that are foreign to the local culture. 8) The companionship between HKBP and the IK Synod needs a common language to help it become strong and grow.
We may have traveled half way around the world but our hosts and the participants made us feel at home. They embraced us with a smile, an easy going and positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a willingness to use whatever English they knew. In no time we found out that we have a lot in common- problems with finding time for family devotions, questions about effective evangelism, a desire to raise kids free from bad influences, high cholesterol…….and we all worship and serve a Risen Savior!
Its amazing what happened in just a matter of 5 days and how much we all learned. A little bit of English, God’s plan for each of us, a beautiful setting, and wonderful people was all it took. It was a recipe for success! Thanks to all who made this experience possible! Rachel
posted by SALT 2006: Indiana/Kentucky Synod ELCA at 3:44 PM
2 Comments:
Rachel, this is SO well-written! Thanks for posting it.
MB Foster
Rachel, thanks for your good words.
Kathleen
Post a Comment
<< Home