Hold the course....
in memory of Pastor Chuck Smith
Because of his faithfulness, I am where I am today.
And I continue with the work the Lord has given me.
Forgive my absence! Horizon School of English started and I've been up to my ears in grammar!
My adult class started off well, and has continued to grow. I average around 20-30 students every Thursday night.
They are eager to learn and very serious!
They range in age from older to University students. All have a desire to learn and understand English for either their jobs or interacting with other Americans.
Some have visited America before and desire to improve their English in preparation for their next visit.
Not only do my students learn grammar, but they also learn a new memory verse every other week. Our first verse was John 3:16.
This is not just "let's memorize a verse" but I ask them to write down, using the knowledge we have learned about English grammar, what this verse means in general and what it means to them personally. They have also challenged me to learn the verses in Ukrainian. Ok, the challenge is on!! Pray for me in this endeavor.
My adult class meets once a week on Thursdays for 1 1/2 hours. The last half hour I try to include a Bible based activity to go along with the teaching. They also must keep a journal of new words they've learned, the memory verse and an explanation of what the verse means to them, and any new thoughts from a sermon they have heard. Every other week the journals are turned in to me. This helps me to know how well they are progressing in their knowledge, and if I need to slow down, speed up, or repeat any concepts.
My English classes for children are going well too. I average about 10 children on Tuesdays and Thursdays
for low to mid intermediate (with some high beginners thrown in).
. Wednesdays I have a one on one Basic Beginner. With the children we only meet for 1 hour and 15 minutes, so the teaching period is not long. I like to break up the teaching, with a game before they go home. So far it's been tic tac toe or BINGO (the latter they absolutely love) and I weave words that we have learned into the games. Sometimes on Bingo, if they win, they must put the words into a sentence using one of the tenses they have learned. The children usually have a homework consisting of 6-8 sentences to put in correct tense form. This also helps me to see what they have learned and understand. My upper level beginner students are starting to catch up with my lower level intermediates students. God is good!
I am desiring to have a game night once a month with the adult class. I desire for the games to be fun, but also to help them learn in an interactive environment. I have one game already, but with 20-30 people it isn't enough and it is based for advanced students. I would like to buy bananagram or a game called "In a Pickle" (for my advanced students). If anyone has these and would like to donate, please email or fb message me. Or if anyone would like to buy them and donate them, please do the same.
In both the adult and children's class, yes there is much teaching, but we also have a blast learning together, getting to know each other, laughing and being serious. I am truly enjoying myself, although I have to say that by the time Thursday is done (I teach the children in the afternoon, then an hour break to prepare for the adult class in the evening) my brain is swimming with grammar. Friday is my day off (I don't have to be at church at all on Fridays) so I am able to use that as a preparation day, or clean house day. God is good.
Winter is starting to set in here. Brrr, our highs have been in the mid 40's most days. Some have said we will have a long cold winter. I am praying the cold involves lots of snow!! I'll let you know when the first snow comes!!
