FIRST EVER ENGLISH TRAINING WORKSHOP IN TORONTO!

There is a special feeling coming to Toronto for an English Language Training workshop. In the picture (left) standing next to me is Paul Terry Robinson and in front in the blue blouse is Mabel Wee. Paul Terry and Mabel attended the 2003 training institute in Tulsa and returned to Toronto with ESL as their vision and passion. I came to Toronto in 2003 and led a workshop using PASSPORT to the World of English as our text. Over the seven years, they have created English classes among the muslim community and established a resource cooperative for any church or Christian in Toronto teaching English - all online over the internet.
Between Paul Terry and Mabel is Carey Jo Johnston who leads our LEI-Canada office as well as co-pastoring Knox Presbyterian Church in a small town an hour away from Toronto. The two on the end (right) is Ken and Lori Martin. Lori is preparing herself to be the lead English trainer for Canada. She is scheduled to join Carey Jo on a primer construction training and project in Sierra Leone late October and November. She will be quite versatile and an indispensible member of the new Canadian team. Ken supports her work with a full-time employment in Toronto.

Juanita is working with Peng and Steven on lesson 2 of Using Everyday English doing the Theme Picture. Peng was quite advanced in English and was able to create some incredible storylines which made all of us roll with laughter. Steven felt a tad overwhelmed with Peng's stories, and being an electrical engineer was enjoying the stories and adding more. Peng's comment to us when before leaving was "I enjoy tonight. It is more fun! In my ESL class there is one teacher and 30 students. I don't speak any English. Here is speak a lot." A good commentary on the value of the textbook and the need for English ministry within the local church.

Here is Ruth leading the Theme Picture. The video will show you how creative Peng is. Ruth is 80 years 'young' and travels annually to Budapest, Hungry where she is part of Scripture Union and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. While in Hungry, she teaches Bible classes with small groups of university students and plans on using the ESL methods and skills on her next trip this Fall. I hope when you watch this video that you will be convinced that age is not a factor when tutoring. Her humble spirit, passion for the lost, compassion to bring people close to Jesus through teaching and language learning is a great inspiration to all of us.