English Class Update...

We wanted to take a moment to update you all on the exciting things that have been taking place during our Thursday night English classes.  If you recall, we started classes here about 2 months ago for our kids to begin to immerse them in English.  Kim and Jenna have been doing a wonderful job teaching and helping them.  One of the rules that they have during the class is that the children can only speak English.  No Spanish allowed.  

I asked Jenna to write a bit about what’s been going on.  Check it out.

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Jenna Borrelli. I am originally from Oregon, but am currently serving here at Casa De Bendicion for a year. While I am here, I am doing a variety of different things to help serve the orphanage and community. One of those things has been teaching English classes at the orphanage.

In July of 2018, I received my TEFL/ESL (Teaching English Foreign Language) certificate. Meaning I am certified to teach English to non-native English speakers. So coming here and being able to teach these kids has been an absolute dream. I’ve been teaming up with Kim Vargas, who is the administrator here at the orphanage, to help with the classes.

We have been teaching all the basics of English.  So far the kids have learned how to ask each other questions, such as “What is your name? How old are you? Where are you from? What is your favorite food? etc.”  They have learned the colors, fruits, numbers, family, and some animals.  In each lesson, they also learn songs in English and play fun activities to help them remember what they previously learned. The songs are great because the kids continue to sing them outside of class as well. It brings me so much joy when we are eating meals together, and the kids start asking each other questions in English. They are so intelligent and are learning very quickly.  I have no doubt they will be bilingual in the future. 

It is also exciting to see the kids using English in their daily activities. Whether they are playing, cleaning, helping in the kitchen or just hanging out, they are either full of questions about English or are eager to learn more words and phrases.

I count it a blessing to have this opportunity to be here and not only teach, but to speak truth into their precious lives and help them see themselves the way that our Lord Jesus sees them, and to love them with an unconditional love that has been gifted to me from Christ. The good work the Lord is doing here will only continue as we continue to seek Him. I humbly ask for prayers for the English classes, myself, the staff and volunteers, and every single kid that has walked through these doors of Casa De Bendicion.