Many of my Thai students have been told they should learn English for their own benefit — so they can get more from the world.

I have a problem with this reasoning.

It’s true that English has become a global language and English speakers may have more opportunities (which is inherently unfair). But this reasoning fails to acknowledge the value of the individual learner and what they have to offer the world in return.

To combat this mentality, I start each school year with a lesson on “Why English?” I aim to teach my students from day one that they have inherent value. The reason they should consider learning English is so others can see their value the way that I do. The world would be a better place if more people knew you and heard your ideas, I say. And I mean it.

At the end of the lesson, I give each student a notebook and ask them to affirm their individual value on the cover.

Jin Ji has value. Gan has value. Sirada has value.

They decorate the notebooks any way they like. Then we spend the year filling their notebooks with English writing assignments that explore topics that are important to them.

Helping people recognize their God-given value is one of our highest callings as followers of Jesus. This is what “bringing God’s love to life” looks like for me as an English teacher in Thailand.

Crossworld worker Grant and his family live and work in Thailand.