The English House | Crossroads Missions

In a border city like Piedras Negras, speaking English is a very valuable skill. Many schools offer English classes, but they are not taught by native English speakers. In 2023 our Mexico team decided to use this need to reach out to the community in a new way.

English classes

“Speaking English is something that is super practical and it’s a great opportunity for people living in a border city,” Explains Melany Perez who is a year-long intern, teacher at the English House, and a Piedras Negras native. “Sometimes English is a requirement in your workplace, in school, and even sometimes to communicate with others. I remember when I was learning English I was in the same place they are right now and seeing them get better in their English makes me happy.”

It is one thing to learn a new language, another to be comfortable with the variety of American accents and slang. One student praised the teachers for closing this gap, “I like the English House a lot because it feels very personalized. At each table we have someone who is explaining it very well. The accent I think will help us all immensely. We learn the word, but also how to pronounce it correctly.”

The Ranch School

The English House has also continued to teach at the Ranch, a place for immigrants to stay while they wait to legally cross to the US. Larissa volunteered to organize a camp at the Ranch, then joined the English House staff later on as a year-long intern to continue teaching at the Ranch. “It has been an amazing project because it has brought education to kids that haven’t been able to be in school for a long time because of the difficult journey that they have had to make. This is a really special opportunity for us to serve these kids. And we give all the glory to God.”

Read more about The Ranch School

Volunteering

Back in the classroom, Javier, another student, talked about practicing conversations, “My favorite part of class is when they encourage us to speak English and more than anything when you practice a lot with simple questions in groups.”

Volunteers help in the English House during their mission trip by practicing with students during class. No Spanish necessary to help practice, as Bethany from The King’s Academy discovered: “I felt intimidated to help with The English House, but was trying to engage. I was paired with a woman named Teresa during English class. We found out we had some things in common. It was fun to engage with the language bridge in a classroom instead of in a social situation because that was much more my comfort zone. Even when the tables got turned and Teresa had to help me with Spanish, I finally felt a bit relaxed and less self conscious about engaging.”

Bethany volunteering at the English House

English Camp

In July, the English House expanded even more. Alongside volunteers from Village Bible Church, the Mexico staff and interns hosted an English camp of 53 kids. There were classes on a variety of subjects, snacks, music, and games! Larissa was integral to the first ever English Camp, and was beyond happy with the response:

“I feel so thankful for this opportunity. During my whole life my dad was an amazing supporter and he was always telling me things like ‘You are going to be a good principal one day.’ For me last week was the beginning of a new season. I feel so thankful for all the things that I have been learning at CrossRoads. I feel so thankful for Judy and Amanda, they have been trusting me and they let me be in charge of this amazing camp. I can’t believe it and I don’t have words. I just can say that everything is for God’s glory!!!”