“English is a global language, and for me, knowing English helps me talk to people from different countries.” (Asian Learner of English) Picture an affluent, humid, subtropical 24/7 skyscraper-city pulsating at a million miles per hour. Did you think of Hong Kong? Fast forward to a hilly, damp, windswept townscape dominated by tired and run-down red-brick … Read more …
A Gift I Can Give: English Language, Witness, and An Ordinary Church Member
Manchester: Cosmopolitan melting pot of rusting railway arches, shabby warehouses, brash pop-up skyscrapers, anarchic Britpop, and football fanaticism. Not an easy place to witness to Jesus. Yet God is at work amongst the immigrant and refugee communities throughout the city. 2:19 had the treat of catching up with Sarah[1] who hails from Oldham, a town … Read more …
Cantonese thoughts from a pastor and a volunteer
Around one and a half years ago we had our first family from Hong Kong come to church. Since then, our congregation has almost doubled with Hong Kongers. They have been a great blessing to us, and we are constantly thankful to God for them. They have come to a local English-speaking church because they … Read more …
Ordinary People using English Language Classes in Amazing Ways
Understanding, acceptance, warm: first words that come to mind from some of the learners who have studied English with the help of an ordinary bunch of people in an ordinary church in the suburbs of London. It all began with the church wanting to connect and build relationships in the name of Jesus with people … Read more …
Abbey iCaf
In the autumn of 2021, we were finally able (after the end of lockdown) to launch our long-awaited English Language Conversation Café at Abbey Baptist Church in the centre of Reading. Reading is one of the largest towns in the UK with a population of 350,000 people, 35% of which are migrants (drawn to Reading … Read more …
Using Start to Speak – an interview with Frances
I have the weekly pleasure of working with Frances Forshaw coordinating and teaching at Bridges Argyle English Classes in Reading. Over the past few months, on zoom of course, Frances has been teaching our lower level class and using 2:19’s new Start to Speak resource. We had a chat about how it’s been going. Does … Read more …
‘Who’s zoomin’ who?’ – Being a volunteer on zoom
We asked our volunteers what worked and what didn’t?
What does 2:19 look like in practice?
Hilary Nichols describes her experience leading an English language class, with the help of 2:19, in Highlands Village, North London. The surrounding area comprises lots of flats, with a diverse population. It has been difficult to reach into the community as most people live in closed flats. It is serviced by two large primary schools … Read more …
Tavid & Marcin’s Stories
Watch David tell Jonathan two very different stories of men who met Jesus through 2:19’s work and local churches reaching out to help immigrants.
Caroline’s story: English classes in Croydon
Caroline Greaves shares with 2:19 some of the joys and challenges of running English classes in Croydon. When and how did you become interested in English Language teaching? I’ve been interested in English language teaching since doing a gap year with BMS World Mission in 2002, working on the ‘Circus of Hope’ in Brazil. This … Read more …
Jane’s story: Bible storytelling to lower level learners
Jane McNabb is based in Plumstead where her husband is pastor of Slade Evangelical Church. Jane is involved in English conversation classes based at the church and has experience of storytelling/Bible studies with lower-level English learners. You can hear the seminar that she lead at Forum 2016 on Bible storytelling here. Could you tell us … Read more …
Natasha’s story: Running women-only English classes
Natasha from ‘Selam’ English school in Croydon chats with Marina about her group and what makes it special. Could you begin by giving us a brief description of your English School? We have been going since April 2014, when my friend Rachel and I set up the class. We both have lived and worked abroad … Read more …