From Joy of Learning English

2003-2004 Joy of Learning Farewell


As we complete our 10th and final year of our J.O.L. ministry, I wish to thank all of our dedicated staff members for sharing their time and love of teaching to all the wonderful students who we had the privilege of teaching.

My sincere appreciation and thanks to Rev. Kunizo Nakao for his guidance, prayers and powerful messages throughout these many years.

A big thank you to S. Blume who assumed so many responsibilities after her co-workers moved back to Japan. We could not have functioned without her leadership and dedicated service.

The childcare workers were the core of our ministry. Without these caring ladies who worked with Mrs. Denda, we could not have taught so many students. Mrs. Denda, our Childcare Coordinator shared her special gifts for 8 years. The children and parents were blessed by all her love.

I would also like to recognize Mrs. A. Sueda who helped make the dream of J.O.L. a reality when she was chosen as our first Teaching Staff Coordinator in 1994. She and her five other staff members: Ms. M. A. Ouye, Mrs. E. Hioki, Mrs. D. Ishikawa, Mr. T. Ishikawa and Mrs. T. Kawaye bravely started teaching on November 18, 1994.

A fond farewell to my special students, Akiko, Fumie and Keiko. You have made my last year of teaching such a happy and satisfying experience.

God Bless you!

B. Takahashi
Dean


Administrator: S. Blume Assistant Administrator: Y. Inoue
Advisor: A. Sueda Childcare Coordinator: Y. Denda
Song Leaders: E. Nakagawa, Y. Sekiguchi, Y. Himeno & A. Fujii
Pianist: K. Ozawa

Beginners 1 M. Dua Intermediate R. Tamura
Beginners 1 H. Ichiuji J. Dobashi
Beginners 2 I. Yonemura Idioms R. Okada
Beginners 3 R. Ellis Advanced B. Takahashi
Beginners 4 D. Ishikawa


From the exercise of moving tongue to Rap music of Alphabet Phonics, I had truly a fun time with you this year. May you continue to enjoy learning English and may your life be filled with much love and happiness. I will miss you very much. May God bless you!

M. Dua         


It has been a blessing to have a wonderful year filled with learning, sharing and a bonding of loving friendship. Thank you Yoshiko, Sayaka, Sumiko, Masako and Mami for making this all possible. Thanks also to T. Kawaye for her kind assistance during the year. Wishing you all a safe and happy summer. God Bless you all.

H. Ichiuji         


Our Beginners 2 class, with students Fusako, Rika, Yoshimi, Tomoko and Kiyoko, became a closely knit group as we shared, conversed, and tackled the finer points of English pronunciation. We began each session with an American recipe and learned about various ingredients and how to pronounce them as we munched our way through the year. The goals for our class were two fold: 1) Speaking English in an understandable manner, and 2) Learning about American culture through holiday customs, marketing lingo, and cooking terminology. The ladies did an outstanding job in applying the skills covered in class through their creative sharing. They sketched their families, originated sandwiches, created Christmas ornaments, and made “ants on a log”. We used these activities as tools for speech and conversation. Thank you, class, for the great effort that you put into the Joy of Learning. Your enthusiasm, encouraging one another, and keen interest made each class session a real joy. May you continue to grow in the English language day by day.

I. Yonemura         


I enjoyed the class and I am sorry that JOL is closing. I have felt it has been a good outreach. I have enjoyed meeting all the ladies that I have had in all my classes.

R. Ellis         


It saddens my heart to say good-bye to my students: Fumio, Yumi, Atsuko, and Minako, who already returned to Japan due to her daughter, who passed her Jr. High School entrance examination. Congratulations to their family. May the “Joy of Learning” memories be cherished. God’s blessings to each one in their future endeavor.

D. Ishikawa         


I have been fortunate to substitute for R.Tamura who had to leave suddenly for Southern California. The ladies in this class: Akiko, Chisato, Kyoko, Mitsuyo and Yumiko are each so special, so enthusiastic and love to gather around to share their lives, families, and experiences. We all had fun learning from our workbooks. I know you will each progress and excel in using your English skills. May God bless you! Enjoy a safe & wonderful summer with your families!

J. Dobashi         


Through the warm November of 1944 to the beautiful spring of 2004, the Joy of Learning classes of Idioms had an enjoyable and good fellowship times as well as learning sessions. I learned many Japanese culture from the past idioms classes. In as much as this year is the last session of Joy of Learning, I hope you will continue to visit us from time to time. God bless you lovely girls: Rie, Yukiko, Shizuka and Kanako and all the other past students.

R. Okada