A Language Missionary

A friend of mine, an English teacher, sees himself as a language missionary trying to convert the apathetic. I marvel at this comparison, so appropriately epitomizing his passion for and dedication to his work of language teaching. Like a missionary who dedicates his entire life to preaching the good news of the Gospel of God, a language teacher is also committed to helping his students appreciate the goodness of the English language.

In fact, missionaries are people I greatly admire for their dedication, selflessness and courage. A missionary's life is hectic and strewn with obstacles. The missionary's preaching often meets with disapproval or even enmity. He may be working among people who have never even heard of God or may have been nurtured with stubborn Pagan beliefs. To try to convince them of God's existence is an uphill battle. But without the work of these missionaries, Christianity would remain hidden from many parts of the world.

A language teacher's work, too, is an endless struggle. There are a thousand and one things that compete with the English lessons for the students’ attention. Students are thus getting less and less academically motivated. Despite improved teaching support in the forms of technological audio visual aids and computer graphics in textbooks, effective teaching and learning does not always take place as students simply refuse to learn. These are the apathetic, who, unfortunately, make up the majority of the learners. This can be disheartening especially to new recruits, thus posing a threat to the education sector in the long run.

But we English teachers need not feel discouraged. The global spread of Christianity owes its origin to the courage and tenacity of a few missionaries who ventured into the unknown, equipped with nothing but their strong faith. Likewise, with a strong passion for the English language and an endless strife in pursuit of enrichment, we ought to be able to motivate more and more of our students to strive to master the English usage.

Now whenever I feel downcast about work being unrewarding, I call to mind my friend's remark. I will try to be as determined and unquitting as a missionary however hectic the path to success is.