Because of the English Classroom - Part 2

The English Language Learning (ELL) classroom is the perfect place to personally connect with local internationals by teaching English, building relationships, instilling confidence and independence, and ultimately pointing them to Jesus. Two Knox County ELL programs have facilitated incredible friendships, impacting lives on a deeper level along the way. They began with different target groups, but have the same beautiful story of network collaboration! ​

by Bobbie McClain
​Another program made stronger through collaboration has been Village Church ELL. It began in 2014 when Cindy Hood, with a heart for international families in the Norwood community, ran a summer English camp at Tillery Ridge apartments for Iraqis new to that area, and then her family personally moved into the neighborhood! 

Seeing a need that these mothers had for their preschool children, families involved with camp were invited to a “Kindergarten Readiness Program” held in Norwood Elementary cafeteria. Courageous volunteers separated children from their moms by coaxing the little ones to participate in blanket activities stationed around the room: books, toys, snacks, singing and forming water fountain lines. Meanwhile, the moms on the other side of the cafeteria were learning lessons of their own. One delighted teacher “watched the confidence of these moms blossom as they walked into school each week and even talked to school staff about issues with their older children.” 

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