My next blog about our Mongolian friends was to follow shortly after my last blog in January but life and time happens. I want to write about a few other things that we experienced in English camp before I write about our awesome friends!
We taught from 2pm to 9pm Tuesday through Saturday, January 10-14. The students were placed through testing in two levels; beginners and intermediate. Class lasted 1 hour 15 minutes with breaks in between. 22 students signed up ranging from age 14 to 30s, high school and university students, mothers, accountants and one Mongolian history teacher.
In Mongolian school, they are taught basic grammar with an emphasis on vocabulary memorization. They have an amazing capability to memorize hundreds of words but had trouble putting those words together to converse in English. For many, this was the first time they had been taught by native English speakers.
Pam and Kevin taught in one room on the second floor of the community center. Geri and I taught together in the room next door. The beginning level would go to Pam/Kevin's class and the intermediate to Geri/Nancy's; then we would switch classes. Class sizes were 4-6 students. The beginners were a challenge because all instructions were given in English. Most couldn't understand so we had to improvise with sign language and dictionaries.
Kevin and Pam teaching the fun all girl class (>>>giggle, giggle<<<)
Christina set up the curriculum for us each morning. She and Marilyn are setting up the iPod to use songs during our lessons. Music plays an important part in learning conversational English. 'How?', you ask. Music teaches intonation and flow of the English language. We used songs such as 'We Are Family' by the Sister Sledge and Michael Buble's version of 'The Way You Look Tonight'. The words of the songs highlighted the theme of that day's English class; family and appearance.
Marilyn, Christina and Geri
We shared meals and lives with each of the four families we visited who live and work in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in various capacities. Dennis and Marilyn are half way around the world from their children and growing number of young grandchildren. My grandma's heart connected with Marilyn as she talked about missing the fun of seeing little ones grow and change. Dennis leads the 'youngsters' with respect and unity as God gives him grace and insight.
Kevin, Dennis and Marilyn
Renee' and Bernie are soon to be empty-nesters but in reverse. Instead of the kids going off to college in the States and having a home in the States to return to at breaks and vacation, their parents are living and working half a world away. Over some morning coffee Renee' and I talked about this transition. My advise to both my friends, "Be easy on yourself and take one day at a time." And dog-gone, if Bernie isn't funny. His analogy while we were crossing Mongolian streets was the 80s video game Frogger. Not a comforting image as we dodged fast moving cars. His heart to enthusiastically worship God with a rhythmic guitar makes me want to dance like a kid!
Renee', Mercy the dog, Kevin and Pam
Bernie and Geri with praise team
Rich and Melody have the heart to see families grow healthy and strong in God's love. They are so awesome in reaching out to neighbors in their apartment. Moving from the Philippines to Mongolia, tropical to cold dessert climate is huge. They perseverance each day to live and work in a cold, unhealthy climate. Rich and Melody inspire me.
Melody, ? and Richel
And Erik and Christina! They are preparing to come home for a year. Their faithfulness to the people they serve and the business they run, UBean Coffee House and Roasterie, must make for a bittersweet next few months. I love being with this young couple and their family. The kids are truly cross-cultural. Geri and I had a Mongolian boy come to Children's church who didn't speak English and was very upset. I depended on Becca to help him feel comfortable because in her brother Jack's words, "You speak better Mongolian than me, Becca."
Erik brews hands-down the best cuppa!
Christina and Marilyn
Becca in the back and Jack-front right
This has been a long blog. I hope you've enjoyed reading it. I want to return in the future to work once again with my friends and the Mongolians. 'Til next time! Have a blessed Resurrection Day!
Nancy
No comments:
Post a Comment