What does English Club look like?  

During a typical night in English Club, the class time goes by very fast.  We start promptly at 6PM and have 1 hour of English Vocabulary, Idioms, maybe a video on a featured topic,  all focused to give the student the maximum amount of discussion time,  to utilize their English speaking skills.

Below you will see a typical night where they have been asked to share with their partner using the English Vocabulary words they learned that evening.

We break for about 5-8 minutes to give the students time to grab something to drink before starting our Bible Hour.  The Bible hour always has a passage in Scripture, this could be select verses or a parable which the students will read in their own language first, then the passage will be read to them in English. They also have the opportunity to read this same passage several times,  in English in their small group.  After reading we ask them to 'retell' the story or verses in their own words, picking out the main characters, describe the plot, address the theme or main points before engaging them in their own personal opinions about the text.

It gives for lively discussion and openness in regards to what they are truly thinking.  I personally enjoy this time with the students as it shows me how they may be struggling with what to do with this new information.  The Lord always shows up when His Word is shared and I pray that the students are as much aware of His presence as I am.  It is very humbling and such a blessing.

Our third hour is all about relationship building.  Students are asked to create a power point presentation about themselves to share with the class.  The University here is very big, and these students 'do not' know each other before English Club.  These presentations give the class the opportunity to get to know more about each other.  Students get excited when they learn a fellow classmate comes from the same region or hometown, shares a hobby or class, and even may have the same love of books, sports or another topic of interest.

When I came back this year, I found out that one of the friendships that came about from English Club last year is still intact and thriving this year, even though there is a large age difference between the two students.  

Besides the presentations, third hour is a time for games!  Students and teachers play games that help us get to know each other, build trust and just plain have fun. 

My takeaway from each night is how much bigger God has stretched my heart.  The students definitely become very special to you and in a way change your life forever.  There is a song from the Broadway Show 'Wicked' that is called 'FOR GOOD', its about how knowing you has changed me, maybe for the better, but nonetheless, it has changed me 'for good'.  English Club will do that, it will change you, it will not leave you where you are now.  It will impact your life, your thinking and your ability to love- for the better, and it will do it for good....