International Conversation Cafe

Anybody who seriously takes the challenge of learning another language is an inspiration to me.  This spring, I met Chau, a young woman from Vietnam. She has a master’s degree in physics and her husband is doing research at Kansas State University.

Chau began to learn English in her high school years in Vietnam. Mostly the instruction emphasized reading, grammar, and a little writing.  Speaking English took place only in the classroom with the teacher.

At the university, Chau took a few English classes for physic majors.  Before coming to the United States, she took refresher courses at an English center, studying for the TOEIC.  She and her husband arrived in Kansas, in March, 2015.

As soon as I met Chau, I realized she was a person who was serious about learning English. First of all, she comes to group events like the Conversation Cafe. She is not afraid to use English, smiling all the while.  She also attends World Friendship, a community organization for the wives of international students at Kansas State University.  At each event, I noticed how eager she was to speak and make friends.

When I began meeting Chau for English practice, I knew I was in for a delightful experience.  Her determination is inspiring.  For one thing, she brings a list of words for me to speak into a recorder so she can practice them for our next meeting.  We look up definitions and make up sentences together. During the week, Chau looks at websites like http://learningenglish.voanews.com, www.effortlessenglish.com, and www.notefull.com.  She reads books and watches film, with and without subtitles.

People like Chau amaze me.  They have a big task and work steadily with determination and humor.  They are resourceful and courageous. Chau and others will be successful, no doubt.

Sometimes questions and problems lead to new solutions.  Our Conversation Cafe attendance was lagging a bit in January and February so we, the Bridges International team at Kansas State University, decided to advertise at the dining centers.  We wondered what we could do to attract attention that was different from all the other tables students encounter.  After brainstorming, we felt we landed on a few good solutions.  We would buy a life-size cutout of President Obama and provide from some photo opportunities.  At the other dining center, we decided to play, “Name that Flag.”  At both we would offer a raffle for coffee shop gift cards.

Did our efforts pay off?  Our attendance was up, in spite of the cold.  But as important, our morale was boosted and we had a lot of fun. I wonder what creative solutions you come up with?

Questions also prompt new discussion guides.  Recently I was asked, “Was it necessary that Jesus died on the cross.  Wasn’t it enough that he suffer?” This led to a new discussion guide found under “Topics from a Biblical Perspective.” Earlier someone asked me about the timeline of the Bible.  “Old and New Testament Introduction” was the result of that question.

There are some new topics under the Lifestyle heading.  Look for “The Bucket List” and “Sports Sayings and Idioms.”  Some new game ideas are a result of the class I am taking in Creative Drama.

Enjoying the journey,

Jane

January 1 brings to mind the topic of New Year’s resolutions. What changes do most of us resolve to make and how long do we keep our resolutions are good places to begin. I think it is always fascinating to learn about other traditions surrounding the new year. What kind of food do people eat, are there certain clothes that are worn, what do they do to celebrate, and when do they celebrate the beginning of the new year?

These questions combined with statistics and a painting are in the new Lifestyle Discussion titled, “New Year’s Resolutions.” Oh yes, if you think it is too late in January to begin a discussion like this, remember that by June, only forty six percent are still keeping their resolutions.

I wish you all a happy and successful new year. May your lives be enriched in the love of God and in friendships from around the world.

Jane

Keisai Eisen, Japanese, 1790-1848. Planting the New Year’s Pine. Print, 20.8 cm x17.6 cm. Harvard Art Museums.

When my children were growing up, we made up a game using the daily newspaper. Reading the question sent into an advice columnist like, Dear Abby, we would then each suggest a solution before we read the written reply in the paper. Some of the letters were entertaining and some were quite sad. But in playing the game with my kids, I discovered their perspective on relationship problems. A lot of helpful and funny discussions came from this game.

Years later, I met a woman working on her English by reading the newspaper. Specifically, she read, Dear Abby. The conversations we had about the situations in the letters were quite amusing and enlightening for both of us. I found her point of view broadened my understanding of her culture and she was eager to learn how Americans handled difficult relationships. There was usually new vocabulary in the column; some of it was slang, which she was always eager to learn.

The Lifestyle conversation on “Advice,” has some examples of Dear Abby letters and responses. You can also Google Dear Abby, and find more letters for English conversation.

Learning from each other brings a lot of pleasure.

Enjoy,

Jane

Last Friday, Cru.org published a story I wrote about friendship with international students. I realized the story and this website would not be possible with help from many friends. So I would like to thank them now.

Starting with those who patiently used my lessons as they evolved into something better, I’d like to thank Karla and David Dennis, Susan Kejr, Janet Larson, and Darrin Stineman.

Many thanks to Bridges International, as they gave me opportunity, leadership, and encouragement along the way. A special thanks to David Stuckenschmidt and Nancy Wallace.

Rick James from Cru Press Green, kindly looked over the website in the beginning and gave me helpful suggestions. Becky Thomton refined my story for Cru.org. I am so grateful.

My family offered other advice. My brother, Mike Seiler, pointed out I needed to properly identify the artwork. Graham, my son, suggested I use Word Press and introduced me to Creative Commons. Rod, my husband and partner in life and ministry, helped me set up the website and patiently listens to my ideas. I appreciate his kindness and wisdom.

Finally, my greatest thanks goes to God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the one that gives me opportunity, ideas, motivation, and friends. “From him and through him and for him are all things.” Amen.

Learning how to trust a Christian is the first step to faith in Christ.  This is the premise of the book, I Once Was Lost, by Don Everts and Doug Schaupp.  Community Groups gives opportunity to our international friends to experience fun, service, and faith with believers in Jesus.  It also gives them time to process their questions.

Our Community Group at Kansas State University met each week for two semesters.  We ate together, played some games, listened to each other stories, performed skits, watched videos, and discussed important topics together.  We also planned fun events for our group and completed a couple of service projects for our city and beyond.

A big thank you goes to Hillary Hendricks, Spencer Baur, and Patrick Hodson for their contributions to the lesson topics and content and for their capable, consistent  leadership and kindness over the semester.  Another thank you goes to the Alpha Course from HTB, London.  We used many of their topic ideas but presented them in story form.

I hope you will check the resource out.  You will find it under, “Bible Discussion Lessons.”

May God be your guide,

Jane Fox

Since opening my website in November, 2013, I have continued to work on the lessons posted.  First, you will notice all the lessons have the same heading and uniform professional look.  The art work is labeled properly and there is a Creative Commons License at the end of each lesson.  You are free to copy and distribute the lessons, but not for financial profit.

There are two new pages under Bible Discussion.  The first is titled, “Booklets.”  One booklet is called, “All of us are looking for love,” which is an explanation of how we can be restored to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  The second booklet is called,
“Life With God,” which shows that developing a relationship with God is similar to developing relationships with people: using listening and speaking skills.  These booklets are valuable because there are less words to read, the questions further conversation, the topics involve stories, and the graphics are colorful, yet simple. The instructions to print the booklets are included on that page.  

The next new page is called, “Foxtrot English.” These are English/Bible lessons for middle and high school students learning English as a second language. Each lesson contains a game, American idioms and slang, a Bible reading and discussion questions, and a song. All are centered around a relevant topic for preteen and teen.  There are a variety of uses for Foxtrot English including after school English clubs, English camps, and church outreaches.

Thanks so much for checking out my website.  I hope you find it a valuable tool to encourage spiritual conversations with your international friends.

May God be your guide,

Jane Fox