In order to help people become self-reliant, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides English language classes to help participants learn new communication skills.
English Connect is part of the Church’s Self-Reliance effort, based on the principle of individual responsibility in achieving social, emotional, spiritual, physical and economic well-being.
Maeva Ching Soy, manager of the English Connect program in French Polynesia, has already launched four classes of 15 students each in the Punaauia Tahiti Stake.
- At-an-English-Connect-class,-people-work-together-in-pairs-to-practice-their-newly-acquired-knowledge.--French-Polynesia,-January-2021
- Families-learn-and-increase-proficiency-in-English-while-working-together-in-the-English-Connect-program.-French-Polynesia,-January-2021
- Raihau-Gariki,-a-graduate-of-Brigham-Young-University-Hawaii,-teaches-English-language-skills-in-the-English-Connect-intermediate-class.--French-Polynesia,-January-2021
- Shirley-Hunter-helps-students-practice-English-every-Saturday-for-six-months-in-the-English-Connect-program.French-Polynesia,-January-2021
- A-father-and-son-practice-English-together-at-an-English-Connect-class-sponsored-by-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.--French-Polynesia,-January-2021
- English-Connect-is-a-one-and-a-half-hour-weekly-course-for-six-months-open-to-anyone-12-years-and-older.-French-Polynesia,-January-2021-
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The program is open to all people over 12 who want to learn English or improve their skills. The weekly course lasts six months and includes one hour of English lessons and 30 minutes of "My Foundation" self-reliance principles.
Among her students is the family of Johnny Brothers and Repeta Conroy, and their sons Enoha and Hinoï.
For Repeta, English Connect is a real blessing. "The English Connect activity allows us to improve as a family because the four of us are in the same class. We have the same focus and the same center of interest. It’s very rewarding!
“We do our homework at the kitchen table and talk and share a lot. We take ten minutes to speak in English when eating and sometimes, we designate someone to pray in English.
"What is more, our kids love this class, and say, ‘It's just awesome!’"
Johnny added, “This course helped us better prepare for our trip to the United States. It is a great way to put what we had learned into practice. In addition, this class has become our family activity on Saturday."
English-Connect-participants-study-English-and-principles-of-self-reliance-from-the-manual-My-Foundation.--French-Polynesia,-January-2021
English Connect participants study English and principles of self-reliance from the manual "My Foundation." French Polynesia, January 2021© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Repeta continues: “We recommend English Connect for several reasons: Because it's free, it’s a great opportunity to learn together as a family, and you get to know other people. And with the spirituality of ‘My Foundation,’ we learn English the Lord’s way.”
English Connect complements Self-Reliance courses offered by the Church to empower individuals and families, such as "Starting and Growing My Business," "Finding a Better Job,” "Education for Better Work,” and “Personal Finances.”
The Self-Reliance program is based on God’s invitation to all His children to become self-reliant and independent.
"I intend to provide for the needs of my saints, for everything is mine." (Doctrine & Covenants 104:15)