Teaching English as a Second Language

By Christine Salisbury

Sarah and Christine with KSOM students

We have arrived back safely after 19 days in India teaching English to the KSOM students. During our first visit to the school, we completed an assessment of each of the 11 students. It was decided that we would teach all the students, both first and second year, and soon realized that their skills at reading, speaking, and comprehending English varied greatly. Three or four had had little or no English education, and others had gone far beyond what they call "standard 10", which would be comparable to a 10th grade education here in the States.

I learned that India’s educational system is structured in a teacher lecturing / students taking notes format. Rarely would students be asked questions, and even more rarely would they ask a question of their teacher for clarification. So there is little chance for the students to actually practice speaking English, if they study English at all. Since this format is what the students are accustomed to, our approach was quite different for them.

Since the students at KSOM are taught in English, our goal was to improve not only comprehension, but speaking, so that these students would be able to ask questions and converse with fellow believers in a meaningful way. The Lord was faithful, providing the skills we needed to teach, as well as the energy to prepare for the day ahead. I am not trained to teach English, and yet we found ways to encourage our students to speak—so I know that the Lord was really using me. In fact, in the beginning of the second week, one of our students told me that our English classes were the first time in all his schooling that he had been asked to speak in front of the class, either by sharing a predetermined dialog or participating in a short skit. By the end of the second week, some of our activities involved scenarios where there the lines were not provided, thus requiring the students to think quickly and respond appropriately. To some this was quite challenging. Others were quite creative!

For me, many times it was difficult to just understand what THEY were saying, because many students were not taught how to enunciate sounds. So often we also speak too quickly and are equally guilty of slurring our words together. No wonder they sometimes don't understand us!

I learned many things about their culture and I shared some western ways. I got to share that classic tune, "We Are One in the Spirit", also known as "And They'fll Know We Are Christians by Our Love". (If you were young in the 1960fs you probably know it.) Even more of a blessing to me was teaching the precious Sunday School children "Jesus Loves Me". during the second Sunday afternoon. Our Lord also used the conversations we had with the professors on staff to encourage and minister to me throughout the two weeks.

Even though English and Hindi are India's official languages, there are many other languages spoken within its 27 states. It is not like here, where our language is the same but one might speak with a Southern drawl. or a Long Island accent.. Each language in India is unique.

One afternoon, we took some time off to speak with Pastor Joseph about the new KSOM school building. We were privileged to see some of the possible floor plans which included dorm rooms, a cafeteria, kitchen, and a library. Then we walked across the street from where we had been sitting and stood looking at the plot of land where, Lord willing, the structure will be built. How exciting it was to just stand there!

One evening, we had time to speak and pray with Dr. Namrata Hiwale, who is in charge of the medical clinic at the end of the street. She continues to provide medical services to those in need after the Medical/Dental team was there last winter. Lord willing, a larger building will be built so that more people can be helped and the Gospel can be shared.

I could probably write many more pages about all the things we saw that are so unlike (or sometimes just like) Rochester. Many people living with so little. Many people needing the Lord. Many people living in worn vessels, day to day not knowing where they will find food for the next meal. Yet, our Lord loves them all. And yet with all the inequity in India (as there is here in the U.S.), I come back with a more grateful heart, for all that God has provided for me. I also return with a wonderful comfort knowing that on the other side of this small world, there are fellow believers speaking whatever language to share His Word.

Your sister in Christ,
Christine