The following was inspired by CELT conference in Hong Kong this past month. Hopefully it will inspire others to teach well.
To all those called into English language teaching who belong to Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God for each and every one of you and the work that you do. I pray that God will strengthen you, fill you with the Holy Spirit, and give you wisdom inside and outside the classroom.
I pray that Christ's example as a teacher will inspire you to be excellent in class. Christ, our Lord, knew the Scriptures and taught them well. If you are teaching other Christians, use scripture and prepare your lessons well. If you are planting seeds for the gospel, grammar and vocabulary are an important part of the lesson, but they do not have to be the focus.
I also pray that you will follow Christ's example of engagement. He was deliberately provocative. He expressed many things that were not immediately understood. He made people question what they knew and pushed them to think differently. As you teach, expect that your students will engage you, question you, and challenge you.
As they challenge you, you and the students are changing. You are becoming more Christ-like and your students will have paradigm shifts in their thinking. Godd is working in you and through you.
Also, take a moment before class to pray. Ask our Lord, how do you see my students? This is important when they challenge you with unfinished homework, and half-hearted homework attempts at English. With vision, you will be able to treat your students with kindness and respect, listening to them carefully, and welcoming their questions.
Importantly, wherever you are, remember that you are part of a community of believers, a global community of Christian English language teachers. When you feel alienated, remember that the Israelites also felt alienated from God during the Exodus. But they were not. God was working to bring them into the promised land.
Lastly, do it all in love. Christ's life on this earth, death, and resurrection needs to be reflected in you through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus be with you as you teach.
To all those called into English language teaching who belong to Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
First, I thank my God for each and every one of you and the work that you do. I pray that God will strengthen you, fill you with the Holy Spirit, and give you wisdom inside and outside the classroom.
I pray that Christ's example as a teacher will inspire you to be excellent in class. Christ, our Lord, knew the Scriptures and taught them well. If you are teaching other Christians, use scripture and prepare your lessons well. If you are planting seeds for the gospel, grammar and vocabulary are an important part of the lesson, but they do not have to be the focus.
I also pray that you will follow Christ's example of engagement. He was deliberately provocative. He expressed many things that were not immediately understood. He made people question what they knew and pushed them to think differently. As you teach, expect that your students will engage you, question you, and challenge you.
As they challenge you, you and the students are changing. You are becoming more Christ-like and your students will have paradigm shifts in their thinking. Godd is working in you and through you.
Also, take a moment before class to pray. Ask our Lord, how do you see my students? This is important when they challenge you with unfinished homework, and half-hearted homework attempts at English. With vision, you will be able to treat your students with kindness and respect, listening to them carefully, and welcoming their questions.
Importantly, wherever you are, remember that you are part of a community of believers, a global community of Christian English language teachers. When you feel alienated, remember that the Israelites also felt alienated from God during the Exodus. But they were not. God was working to bring them into the promised land.
Lastly, do it all in love. Christ's life on this earth, death, and resurrection needs to be reflected in you through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus be with you as you teach.
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