CrossTalk: Learning English Together in Community

Praise God for a wonderful start to 2023, as CrossTalk resumed classes after a two-year break.

Not exactly a break, though, as teachers Belinda, Jenny and Marion were kept busy during that time developing a new curriculum plan. We pray this will be used by God to help students develop English and cross-cultural skills well.

The CrossTalk curriculum aims to enable students to

• become familiar with varieties of English and be better prepared for an IELTS English test towards the end of term 3,
• acquaint themselves with Australian culture and understand their own cultural background a little bit more,
• build relationships with people from a variety of cultures,
  develop vocabulary for sharing faith and participating in English church and Bible study contexts, and
• catch a vision for a bigger picture of what God is doing throughout the world.

Four students came to CrossTalk for term 1, full of anticipation in this new venture in their lives and have been immersed in English ever since. In their study students learned about language and cultural aspects of living in Sydney and Australia. They also visited several churches.

The program includes outings such as

• encounters with Australian animals and birds at Featherdale Wildlife Park,
• exploring the Nepean River bridge-to-bridge walk,
• discovering cafés in the area,
• enjoying the more famous city sights of Sydney, and
• venturing further afield on weekends in their free time.

These shared experiences are invaluable in learning another language and provide extensive speaking practice opportunities.

It has been an added blessing to have CrossConnect discipleship course students in the same building, after their relocation from Tasmania. It is a joy to see all the students interacting with each other and having fun in and out of class. A study of prayer has helped students to pray in English during devotion times right from the beginning of their course. It has been a special encouragement to walk through the gospel of Mark in devotions, and see again the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to transform lives, overcome evil, and give His life for us, a power still at work in each one of us today.

We are so thankful for the students God has sent us this year so far. They in turn are thankful to their families and friends who are supporting them in this important time in their lives. We are also looking forward to meeting others who may come mid-year. Please pray for those who are considering further study at CrossTalk, as well as our current students.

Let me introduce each one to you now.

Una (Yu-Ting Ma)

Taipei Assembly, Taiwan

Una had in mind to study at GLO a few years ago, however God had other plans and brought her here this year. Her three-year plan includes CrossConnect and CrossTrain, in preparation for overseas missionary service. She has appreciated the work of GLO staff to make her stay in Australia so comfortable, and has learned how to mow the lawn by herself!

Amelia (Huiseon Jeong) and Lucas (Chanwook Yu),

Seodaemun Assembly in Seoul,
South Korea.

Before coming to Australia, Lucas worked in the field of environmental research, and Amelia worked in a cyber life-long-education company. They were married in May 2022.

For Lucas, this is the first experience of traveling abroad, and he is happy to be learning and experiencing many things, such as grammar, IELTS tests, birthday culture, the jolly swagman, exploring Sydney, soccer, Christian music … and more!

Amelia was touched by the strong faith she saw in Filipino believers during a mission trip. She hopes this year in Australia will help her to know Christians in the wider world, and how they believe in God and keep their life of faith. She is enjoying the easy-going lifestyle, friendly people, and beautiful nature.