Language classes teach Bible stories

Caroline Schaeffer from Simcoe, Ontario teaches the Lord's Prayer in English to students in Nicaragua

by James Morgan

We often hear about churches using English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to reach out to new immigrants in their community. But there is also a strong demand for English among people living in non-English speaking countries. As a result, last month Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) sent its first English as a Foreign Language (EFL) volunteer to Nicaragua to work with its partner synod, the Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua (ILSN).

Caroline Schaeffer, a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Simcoe, Ontario travelled to Nicaragua on August 29 and will return to Canada on November 24. While there she teaches English at six sites including the ILSN centre in Chinandega; children’s education classes in Santa Patricia; a public college in Chinandega; community gatherings in Telica and Leon; children’s education classes in Chinandega province; and daily teaching at the home of Rev. Luis Turcios, president of the ILSN. Ms. Schaeffer lives with the president and his family and they are enjoying the opportunity to learn English through having her there. 

“People are pleased with her work, and she will be very busy for three months,” says Rev. Dr. Neitzel, LCC’s executive for missions and social ministry about Ms. Schaeffer’s work.   

Since this is a pilot project, Rev. Neitzel also reports that Ms. Schaeffer developed her own curriculum based on Concordia Publishing House’s Bible lessons for children.  Her efforts in curriculum development mean that when another EFL volunteer, Liz Mellecke of Kincardine, Ontario arrives in February 2012, a framework is in place for her and other volunteers to follow. 

“We base the lessons on Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments with lots of activities and interaction with people.  The focus of the curriculum is to share the love of Jesus Christ and Bible knowledge through the Holy text,” says Rev. Neitzel.

For more information about this unique volunteer opportunity, contact Dr. Neitzel and missions@lutheranchurch.ca.

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