This article was first published in Wesley TIDINGS, September 2021.
This is a story about teaching and learning on an English project with the Nong Bua Lam Phu (NBLP) community in north-eastern Thailand.
The teaching team shares the learning each member went through, reflecting on methods, materials, approaches, learning needs, motivation and teaching aids.
Flights overseas were cancelled. Missions trips came to a standstill. At the NBLP Methodist Church in north-eastern Thailand, there were times when church services halted and the children who came to church for after-school activities were all physically isolated at home.
Before the highly infectious coronavirus news emerged, God had already planted the seeds for this English teaching project. So when the lockdowns began, we were ready to start English lessons with the NBLP adults and children. God’s timing was, as always, impeccable.
“It started with the need. Meeting Pastor Winai, Pastor Roong and their team in Thailand during a missions trip really touched many of us with their dedication, warmth, and the way they serve at the church wholeheartedly. While missions trips are very meaningful, we wondered how we could be of more practical help to the church there,” said Yong Ai Lei.
Initially, the challenges of teaching English with thousands of miles separating us seemed impossible to overcome — we had no curriculum, the church had no library of English books or video conferencing technology, and teaching online meant that it was a lot harder to read any visual or physical cues from the learners. The online platform limits the diversity of activities that are helpful to sustain the learner’s attention.
God again pointed the way, bringing together a team with relevant skills, one complementing another. Each member has been a real blessing, all of them serving humbly with heart, commitment, excellence, and with one mind. The preferences and skills of each team member met the needs of the tasks and fell perfectly into place like a jigsaw puzzle.
While there are many resources available for teaching phonics and reading, the challenge was selecting suitable readers and a teaching approach that engages a group of children that has a range of ages and with very limited exposure to the English language.
The NBLP pastors helped by providing insights into the cultural and learning profiles of the children. They ensured a conducive learning environment with good classroom management as they supervised the learning activities for the children. The reflections and feedback by both the teaching team and the pastors, based on their observations of the lessons and the children’s responses, were used to refine lessons, determine suitable worksheets, and select teaching materials.
“I have been spurred on by
the joy and fulfilment in service and sensing God’s leading in the project,” said Eleanor Goh.
“He has been the impetus behind forming the team and orchestrating the pioneering work on curriculum, teaching methodology and logistics.”
Sharon Teo was similarly touched by God’s grace, even as she strived to make the lessons interesting through engaging online videos, colourful powerpoint presentations, worksheets, and she even learned some Thai to communicate with the children.
For Peggie Chan, the children’s zeal for learning was eye-opening. “Some children come faithfully to learn week after week, even though they looked tired by 2pm in the afternoon after a full morning at church. When there were movement restrictions, they followed the class via video conferencing from their homes.
“It was so rewarding to see the children grow in their learning of words as the weeks went by. I learnt to wait upon God, for their learning,“ said Peggie.
English For Adults
The focus of the adult class started with lessons that would complement what was happening with the children’s English programme, so that they could apply what they were learning. In the second year, the focus on the lessons shifted to biographies.
While the lessons have the typical elements of grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary building, sentence construction, reading and listening, there is always the underlying goal to express their thoughts, ideas and experiences in English, with communication being the ultimate goal.
“Teaching has multiple purposes and layers but when teaching language leads to authentic communication, then to the strengthening of community, it is a joy to witness,” said Hope Chan.
“I am truly blessed by the insights, experiences and stories that the adult class expressed while learning English and it is my hope that this class allows them an opportunity to grow in confidence in their language skills and ultimately use it for the glory of His Kingdom.”
Out of Phonics and Vocabulary, fresh blessings
While teaching English was our goal, the experience has blessed us immensely as well.
“In unity there is strength. The camaraderie between us volunteer ‘teachers’ is unique as we each bring our different gifts to the table, as we brainstormed the syllabus, lesson plans and the structure week after week,” shared Sharon.
“The dedication and the Christ-likeness of Pastor Roong and Pastor Winai shone through as they have invested so much of their time, effort and love for the NBLP church, its congregation and the neighbourhood.
“I am personally overwhelmed by this couple’s teacher-like persona and truly admire their tenacity and labour of love. This, to me, is my greatest motivation to wanting to continue giving my best and serving in whatever capacity I can,” said Sharon.
Peggie is also similarly touched by the Thai team. “The pastors and church staff taught me dedication. They are a truly devoted lot. To list only a few jobs, they rear fish, plant fruits and vegetables, and cook lunch for the children who stay back for lunch after church in pre-pandemic days. Week after week, as they update us with photos and prayer requests, we see a church caring deeply for their community. During the pandemic, they cooked food and sent it to the hospital staff and needy villagers in their midst. Before class on Sundays, the community would be hard at work cooking the lunch, and cleaning up after the meal.
“In the children’s class, one of the pastors would be on hand at every class to translate for the children, providing that bridge and hand-holding that the children needed
to make sense of the lessons. In the adult class too, one of them acts as a translator to their co-learners — the sense of sharing and servanthood taught me what it means to be in community.
If you wish to find out more about Wesley Missions, please reach out to us at: missions@wesleymc.org
