LIVING HOPE NICARAGUA | English Program

The Nica English Language Learning Program (NICA ELL)

Was created with the purpose of providing youth a powerful tool for opening up additional employment opportunities, which in turn could also mean a better future. The course is designed for young people between 15 and 30 years old; but, of course, others interested in learning English are welcome.

The English program is currently designed in five levels— Levels I, II, III, IV, and V; but we are continually adding to our curriculum. Each level is generally intended to be completed in approximately 14 weeks. However, we strongly focus on student success, so the successful completion of a level might take longer. We believe that a student who successfully completes the five levels will have acquired a proficient level of English knowledge. A proof of that is evidenced in the Living Hope teachers, who now teach Levels 1-4.

• We provide classes in all five levels in a local school in downtown León on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

• Level V students receive instruction through a North American teacher, Patricia Striplin, from Tallahassee, Florida. This class participates through Zoom when the other classes are in session on Wednesdays and Thursdays. (Patricia is able to come to Nicaragua periodically enabling her to enhance her personal relationship with the students).

• The Nicaraguan Director of the English Program is Aarón Gómez, who in addition to providing instruction in one of the classes, provides training and assistance to the other teachers every week through lesson planning meetings. Aarón has been teaching English for eight years.

These young people come from churches, from universities, from high schools, many of whom from poor families. Classes offer not only instruction in English but opportunities to share the gospel of Christ with them. Classes are begun with prayer, and learning Bible verses in English is a part of instruction.

The English Program is currently successfully operating. Other programs are in the development stage or are just beginning. We offer opportunities to partner with us as we further build on this beautiful work in León, Nicaragua.

We are adding a new dimension to the programs offered in Living Hope Nicaragua. We are calling this addition Volunteering for Hope. English speakers from different countries who are temporarily staying in Nicaragua will be invited to volunteer with us during their stay. We will begin by having these volunteers work in our English Program. They will come to our classrooms and speak in English with the students telling about their experiences in Nicaragua and/or teaching something in the English classes. These interactions with volunteers will help a lot of our students to practice their English with other fluent English speakers.