The Key to Making Language Learning Easier: Teach Everyone Your Language!

As I have been working here in Kinshasa, DR Congo, the idea of sustainability or at least a lasting impact has always been on my mind. How will my actions here have the greatest impact? What can I do that might actually be able to change someone’s life? Am I working towards something that is actually what the people here want? Will the program continue after I have left, or will the Congolese say, “okay, that crazy Canadian is gone, we don’t have to do this anymore.”

In this spirit, our team talked to Jean-Baptiste, our host here in Congo, and asked what he hoped we could do. One thing he mentioned was that his desire for Congo is to build up the next generation, to have a strong group of young leaders coming up in the church, willing to bring about change, in the church and in society. He has a large group of students that he meets with. One piece of this puzzle that he wants to develop is the ability to speak English. Foreign investment from English speaking countries has increased in Congo, from African countries like Nigeria and South Africa, to Western countries, and learning English can change a person’s life in Congo.

Jean-Baptiste told me a story of a man who was a farmer, came into contact with a NGO that was 

developing farming. He picked up a little bit of English, and so after the NGO left, he applied for a job with a foreign importer. He worked with the importer for 10 years, built up his English skills and learned the import business. After the 10 years, the importer pulled out of Congo, but this man stayed in the business, starting small with the little bit of capital he had saved up. He is now a successful business man here in Congo, and this is due only to his having picked up a small amount of English working with an NGO.

So with this in mind, Mark and I have started an English course. We teach English to over 100 students, 70 or so in our evening class (Tuesdays and Thursdays), 25 or so in our morning class (Mondays and Wednesdays), and an advanced class of 15 students Wednesday evenings. We are teaching basic conversation, trying to build up a foundation of verbs, nouns and basic syntax that they can use in real conversation. The advanced class is learning grammar, some idioms, and more complex syntax; how to better express themselves in English. We have started a Bible study with the advanced students, which has been very rewarding.

One thing that always encourages me is how some of the students will come up to me after every class and express thanks that we are teaching English. One student comes up to me and says, “Mr. John, I am so happy that you are teaching English, I want so much to learn English, thank you.” Some of them are so eager to learn English, several of our advanced students go to the beginner class as well, just for the practice, to improve pronunciation and pick up a little bit more vocab.

In the last week, a team from Canada came on a visionary trip, representing MB Mission. They came to visit different organizations, churches and people that MB Mission has supported or is involved with. This visit has evolved how I perceive my time here or how I evaluate what my goals for my time here in Kinshasa are.  Talking with Phil Serez and Murray Nickel, the leaders of the trip, I have come to realize how important the relationships I build here can be. Rather than just looking at how my actions will be lasting, which is still important, I have begun to look at how the relationships I build can be lasting. If I spend time with someone, build a strong relationship and learn what the persons hopes and dreams are for their country, then when I come back to Canada, I can stay in contact; see how their vision is playing out; connect them to churches and organizations back in Canada; encourage the vision and give direction; and maybe some time in the future come back to Kinshasa. Who knows where God can lead with a relationship!

One person that I have met here is Sathoud (pronounced “satoo”). He is someone that Jean-Baptiste has high hopes for. He has been a great friend to us; we have him over at our house once a week. He is in our advanced English class. He is the leader of the student union for the students from the Republic of Congo (across the river) studying in the Democratic Republic of Congo; this is a huge responsibility, as there are tens of thousands of students that he answers to. He is passionate about God; he always makes sure we pray when he visits our house, and he always has something to say at our Bible studies. He is passionate about change in Congo; he made a song and a music video with a group of students, singing against corruption in Congo. If politics comes up, he can talk for hours about it. My point with this description is that Sathoud is a man with the passion, vision, and leadership qualities to bring about change in this place. If I can stay in contact with him, build him up, help him any way I can, help his vision, then I can help him to make a way bigger difference in Congo than I could ever hope to achieve by myself!