Fifteen years ago, together with education experts from the Bay Area, I established the team that founded ivyGoal Education Co. From the beginning, ivyGoal was positioned as a research-focused educational institution. We dedicated ourselves to developing English learning courseware suitable for Chinese learners. Over the years, we concentrated on this singular task, investing significant manpower and resources. We developed a comprehensive set of English course software covering all grades from elementary to high school, authored over 40 textbooks, and achieved remarkable results. This effort has helped numerous Chinese immigrants efficiently and swiftly overcome language barriers.

In January 2023, our courseware received authoritative certification from the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), making us the only certified English training institution in North America.

In January 2013, we established Student Partners In Learning US (Spilus), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Over the years, we have provided tutoring and assistance to many homeless and underprivileged students. For over a decade, and especially during the three-year pandemic, we continued to offer free online tutoring to many Chinese immigrant students learning English.

In 2024, the non-profit organization Spilus will leverage the many years of research and development experience and technology from its affiliated company, IvyGoal Education Co., to become an institution mainly focused on developing "English Bible Course" for Chinese students. Spilus is dedicated to the research, development, and dissemination of "English Bible Course" for Chinese students.

The objectives and tasks of Student Partners In Learning US (Spilus)：

Spilus aims to develop "English Bible Course" for students from grades 1-12 over the next 5-10 years. For Chinese immigrant students, especially those with English proficiency levels of grades 1-5, the vocabulary in reading materials should not be too difficult. The courseware should adapt to the appropriate grade level, breaking down Bible content into detailed, story-like, and simplified forms. The difficulty of vocabulary should match the corresponding grade level, with continuous repetition, so students can naturally improve their English vocabulary and reading skills through reading, exercises, and writing without needing to memorize vocabulary intentionally.

We will conduct extensive and meticulous research and development. For grades 1-5, we will use bilingual English and Chinese forms, while grades 6-12 will be in English only, making it easy for students to read, understand, and remember, thus efficiently improving their reading skills without losing the core truths of the Bible.

The mission of Spilus is to "Caring for and serving new immigrant students and families, and promoting Christian culture." Over the next 5-10 years, we will continue to dedicate significant manpower and resources to develop a set of "English Bible Course" that spans grades 1-12, suitable for Chinese students. This courseware will be provided to English training institutions, churches, and missionary organizations in the US and China to help Chinese students and adults strengthen their English reading skills while learning the Bible, gradually understanding Christian culture.

Community Service by Spilus:

In 2024, Spilus will launch "English Bible Course "(bilingual for grades 1-5 and English-only for grades 6-12),  "Christian Culture Course ", and  "Free English Courses ". These courses will help Chinese youth, especially overseas Chinese immigrant youth and adults, improve their English proficiency, understand Christian thought, and comprehend Western cultural concepts, thereby better integrating into American society.

Over the next five years, Spilus will offer more than one hour of free weekly "English Bible  course "and more than one hour of "Christian Culture Course." These courses aim to help Chinese students and adults learn the English Bible while subtly introducing them to Christian culture, fostering mutual love and understanding. The goal is to transform Chinese cultural and ideological perspectives, instilling the cultural values of "loving others as oneself" and "forgiveness" in Chinese students. Spilus aims to cultivate pious descendants who fear and obey the Lord.

In collaboration with ivyGoal Education Co., Spilus will also provide long-term "Free English Courses" for immigrant students and their families over the next five years. These courses will include more than 10 hours of free ESL classes each week, from Monday to Friday, covering all grade levels, listening and speaking, reading and writing, and grammar. The goal is to help immigrant students and their families achieve or approach native-level English proficiency, enabling them to freely converse and use English in their daily lives while continuously striving for improvement.

Historical Background of Spilus:

Twenty years ago, while teaching English, I noticed that Chinese students in ESL classes at schools progressed slowly, often taking 4-6 years to exit the second language program. This issue stemmed from ESL courses designed in the 1960s and 70s for European and Hispanic students, which were unsuitable for Chinese students. There were no ESL course materials in North American schools specifically tailored for Chinese students. Typically, Chinese students in ELD classes took 200 hours to complete a grade level, progressing slowly and often facing the risk of marginalization. Determined to change this, I resolved to develop a courseware system suitable for Chinese students.

From its inception, ivyGoal Education Co. was positioned as a research-focused educational institution. Fifteen years ago, we established the affiliate company of Spilus, ivyGoal Education Co., leveraging modern information technology and forming a team with Bay Area education experts. We focused on developing English learning courseware specifically suitable for Chinese learners. Through nearly a decade of dedicated research, we invested substantial funds and developed a comprehensive set of course software covering all grades from elementary to high school, authoring over 40 textbooks. The courseware, designed specifically for Chinese learners, uses the "Natural Repetition Learning Method," making learning easy without the need to memorize vocabulary.

In January 2023, Ivy Goal Education Co., an affiliated company, received authoritative certification from WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) under the U.S. Department of Education for its uniquely developed English teaching courseware tailored to Chinese learners. It is the only certified English training institution in North America:

lStudents can advance a grade level in just 40 hours，improve by four grade levels in one year.

l90% of students can exit the ELD (English Language Development) program within one year and surpass native English speakers' levels within two years.

In January 2013, we established Student Partners In Learning US (Spilus), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free tutoring services to underprivileged groups. With the tireless efforts of our volunteers (mainly high school students), we have tutored hundreds of homeless and underprivileged students. Over the past decade, and especially during the three-year pandemic, we have continued to offer free online tutoring to many Chinese immigrant students learning English.

Over the past 11 years, Spilus has helped many students with English learning and life challenges, but we found that these new immigrant students and families still struggled to integrate into school and community life in the US. Our extensive data revealed that the core issues troubling these new immigrant students and families were not only language barriers but also cultural and ideological differences. Christian culture and faith are central to addressing these issues.

With this goal in mind, the nonprofit organization Spilus has decided to develop a comprehensive set of "English Bible Course" over the next 5-10 years, covering grades 1-12 in American elementary, middle, and high schools. This courseware aims to improve the English proficiency of Chinese immigrant students while also helping them learn about Christian culture. It will assist Chinese immigrant students in systematically and deeply studying, thereby better integrating into American life, study, and work.

In 2024, Spilus will leverage the many years of courseware development technology and experience from its affiliated company, ivyGoal Education Co., to become a research institution dedicated to developing and disseminating "English Bible Course" for Chinese students.

Spilus's Mission:

Spilus, as a non-profit organization, is dedicated to caring for and serving new immigrant students and their families, promoting Christian culture. Throughout my  more than 20 years of teaching English, I have noticed that many immigrant parents report their children facing numerous challenges in learning and daily life after coming to the United States. Two major issues that many Chinese immigrants commonly encounter upon arriving in the United States are:

The first is the language barrier. Many new immigrant students and adults are hesitant to speak upon their initial arrival in the United States, making language the most significant obstacle to their integration into American communities and campus life. Quickly reaching or approximating native language proficiency for adult members or students of immigrant families is a crucial issue they face.

The second is cultural differences. The deeply-rooted Confucian tradition in Chinese culture stands in stark contrast to the predominantly Christian-based American culture and Western culture. Understanding and embracing American culture and Western culture, is an essential step for our Chinese community to integrate into American community life. The culture of love advocated by Christianity emphasizes the connection between people and mutual assistance, enabling Chinese immigrants to build relationships and receive warmth through communal connections. By learning to "love thy neighbor" and "love others as oneself," Chinese immigrants can better integrate into American community life.

Future Outlook for Spilus:

Spilus aims to focus on developing a comprehensive set of "English Bible Course" for Chinese immigrant students over the next 5-10 years. This courseware will cover all grades from elementary to high school (grades 1-12), with bilingual instruction in English and Chinese for grades 1-5 and entirely in English for grades 6-12. We aim to break down the Bible's content into detailed, story-like, and simplified lessons. The English vocabulary level of the study materials should match the appropriate grade levels, with repeated exposure to the vocabulary. This way, students can naturally improve their vocabulary and reading skills through reading, post-lesson exercises, and writing, without the need for rote memorization of words.

The "English Bible Course" developed and produced by the non-profit organization Spilus ，utilizes the courseware development technology and experience of its affiliated company IvyGoal Education Co., The design and organization of the research are led by Nick, the principal of IvyGoal Education Co., executed and written by scholars specializing in Bible studies, and jointly reviewed and revised by senior American teachers from IvyGoal and other institutions.

Over the next 5-10 years, Spilus will provide the "English Bible Course" (bilingual for grades 1-5 and English-only for grades 6-12) to students and adults at ivyGoal Education Co. and other English training institutions for reading and learning. It will also be offered to Chinese churches and missionary organizations in the United States and China to support the development of youth Bible Sunday schools.

Over the next 5-10 years, Spilus will offer free online courses to Chinese immigrant students and adults, including "English Bible Course",  "Christian Culture Course ", and  "Free English Courses ". We will provide over 10 hours of free online courses weekly, with 2-3 classes each evening from Monday to Friday.

Spilus will provide various services to students at ivyGoal Education Co. and other English training institutions, including teaching and tutoring in English, Bible studies, and various subject courses. Additionally, they will offer free language, various subject, and psychological counseling services to disadvantaged youth.

Spilus will establish interactive relationships with churches in California to collaborate on English corner activities. Utilizing church facilities one day a week, they will organize gatherings for free adult English learners from the church and surrounding areas. These gatherings will focus on studying "English Bible courses," sharing learning experiences, and fostering mutual love and support to encourage consistent learning. Additionally, these activities will promote Christian culture and help more Chinese immigrants become Christians.

Over the next 5-10 years, Spilus will establish "ELD Learning Mutual Association (Club)" in middle and high schools with high Chinese populations in California. Spilus will provide "English Bible Course"(bilingual in English and Chinese) and "Free English Courses" to help Chinese immigrant students improve their English proficiency, learn about the Bible, and build mutual support relationships among students, better integrating into school life.

Looking Ahead:We have many tasks to accomplish in the future, requiring more volunteer support and cooperation from various churches and missionary organizations. We hope to receive support and assistance from friends in all sectors of society. The dedication and charitable contributions of volunteers will provide continuous motivation for the future development of Spilus. We hope to receive your love and support in every small way!

Everything we do comes from the spiritual wellspring of loving God and loving others as ourselves. All the glory belongs to God!