The Seventh-day Adventist Language Institute in Korea has launched a new teaching program that allows students to learn English at home. The rapidly growing institute, which now has 32 branch schools and some 37,000 students, developed the “Seventh-day Adventist Home School” program to provide greater convenience for students, and to help deal with the continuing high demand for English language tuition.

The project, initiated by Pastor Shin Kei Hoon, president of the Adventist Church in Korea, began earlier this year and already has an enrollment of some 1,000 students, with 40 visiting teachers. Students learn with a combination of textbooks, audio tapes, and a weekly visit from a language school teacher.

Leaders say the program is integral to the church’s evangelistic efforts, and increases the visibility of Adventists in the community. The program also offers employment to Adventist teachers who often have difficulties finding work that accommodates their Sabbath-keeping.