ESL:

ESL stands for English as a Second Language.

Mrs. Chris Diener:
I was born in Asuncion, Paraguay, where my parents and older sister lived for two years helping refugees from Russia resettle. I believe that was what literally birthed in me an interest in speaking other languages and understanding other cultures. I studied Spanish in high school and college. During my college years I had the privilege of studying in Mexico for one month and in Costa Rica for three months. I remained in Goshen after graduating from college and had a variety of opportunities to learn more Spanish.

In 1979 I married Daniel Diener. Dan had returned from two years in Uruguay, S.A., in early 1978 and almost exactly two years after our marriage we left for that same country working as missionaries under the Mennonite Board of Missions. We lived in that beautiful country for five years and our oldest daughter Katrina was born there. It was also there that almost all of the Spanish grammar began to make sense to me. We continue to have contact with wonderful friends from Uruguay.

Soon after our return to the U.S. in late 1986, our son Benjamin was born, and two years later our youngest Nancy joined the family. Katrina is presently teaching English in a preschool in Hong Kong, China. Benjamin is a junior at Taylor University studying to be a math teacher and Nancy is a senior at Goshen High with plans to attend college next year. My husband is a Spanish teacher at West Noble High School in Ligonier. Neither he nor I thought that we would work in a school setting but so it has happened.

I am both excited and challenged to be the ESL instructor for Wakarusa and Nappanee Elementary Schools. I am finding that I really do enjoy learning more about English as well as the five languages represented by the students that I see.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to email me at cdiener@wanee.org.