Arbor Christian Fellowship

ESL MINISTRY

ARBOR CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Our ESL program presently ministers only to Spanish-speakers because these are the people who surround our church and who come to us looking to learn English. Although they all speak Spanish, their cultures and dialects are very different and varied since they are originally from different parts of South America, Central America and Mexico.

Right now we have 4 ESL classes so we can accommodate students who need to begin at a very basic level as well as those who are more advanced. I take all the Entry level students since they require more Spanish directions, Janet Larson has the next level 1 group, Joane West teaches the level 1 accelerated group and Sue Thompson takes the Level II English Conversation class. Rob Gulley & Roy Ortiz Jr. are ESL Volunteers who do all the rest of the work the teachers don’t get around to doing and whose help we couldn’t do without. This program is mostly conversational English however we do get into grammar, reading, writing and phonetics.

We’re so happy to have Ernestine Jones who offers extra one on one help to our students during class time, in reading, writing and pronunciation.

We’re praying for more volunteers who would be willing to take even a half hour to work with one person. You may be the one who some student is waiting for…

Mr. Bill is a new and most welcome volunteer. Bill West teaches Theology at Newport’s Mariners Church and is our Chaplain!  He comes faithfully, bringing a new Bible lesson to our students each Thursday. He delivers the message in a unique way that helps the students understand the Word and to learn Bible terms and greetings like “Shalom”! The students love it and so do we! After Bible study we all enjoy a time of fellowship!

The time that we spend together in ESL is a time of renewal. Sometimes when we leave our house we feel tired, we’re dragging our feet, we’re wishing we didn’t have to go but the minute we arrive at the church and see Virgilio’s face light up, (even if he’s been sitting outside in the cold waiting for us), and he says, “Hola, my teachers, I’m so glad to see you!” our hearts melt! The Lord washes us with his love and joy! The tiredness, the unwillingness, the aches & pains, everything dissipates!    HE renews our spirit & strengthens us. The time flies by and too soon it’s time to leave again!  Many of our students and the other teachers feel the same way; they have related the same experiences to us. The lessons, laughter, prayer, Bible Study, hot chocolate, cookies and coffee are enjoyed by all.  Do you want to be blessed?

Do you want to feel renewed?  Do you want to feel joyful and useful?  Join ESL!  Ask anyone in our team if we need you! We meet on Monday & Thursday 7:00PM -9:00 PM.

You can contact Sue Thompson or Rosie Montoya

at: (949) 588-8626

for more information.