Funenglish - Learn English in a Christian Atmosphere

The School
 

John & Jill Karlik
History of the School

Functional English was founded by John and Jill Karlik. They had formerly worked as Bible translators in West Africa with WEC International and had seen the need of some of their colleagues in missionary work for a better understanding of English as an international language. They ran their first course in rented premises in York in the summer of 1972 and repeated these summer courses for the next four years. As there was a demand for longer courses, they purchased a building at 5 Chubb Hill, Whitby in 1977 and ran courses there until June 2006.

The school is now located in the Margaret Cope Centre, part of the Sneaton Castle Centre on the outskirts of Whitby. The building has computer-controlled gas central-heating and is mostly double-glazed. We are currently using 2 classrooms and two offices in the centre.

Margaret Cope Centre, Sneaton Castle Centre
"Functional English"

The name of the school reflects the belief that a language is best learnt through using it for some purpose beyond that of simply learning a language. "Functional" English is language which you can use for whatever you want to do - whether it is booking a train, writing a letter or having a conversation with English speakers. 

Therefore, we try to make the programme of activities in the school  "practical" - in addition to the language classes, the students have practical classes where they learn how to do something as well as talk about it, and we encourage projects where students go out to talk to local people.

 
 

 

They worked to build up the quality and reputation of the school both in Britain and abroad. In 1980 the school was inspected and officially recognised by the British Council. The school has passed further inspections in 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2004. In 1981 Functional English became a member of the Association of Recognised English Language Services ( ARELS ). The school is also a member of the Evangelical Alliance and in 1997 joined the local council of churches - Whitby Churches Together.
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The Karlik's retirement

In December 1995, Dr and Mrs Karlik retired from Functional English, to concentrate on their Bible translation work, and sold the business to a partnership of employees: Neil McKelvie, Tony Saunders, Philip Smith, Derryck Orridge and Lindsay Barber.

 Corinne Templeton was one of the original partners but left in March 1997 to go to live in Germany with her husband. Philip Smith retired at the end of 2000, and Tony Saunders left at the end of 2003.

Lindsay Barber and Derryck Orridge left at the end of June 2006, and leaving Neil & Kristy McKelvie to run the school.
The new partners

Some of the original partners in 1995
 

 

 

 
History of the Chubb Hill Building

The building in Chubb Hill stood in three quarters of an acre of terraced gardens close to the centre of Whitby and opposite a public park. The building was originally a convent for the Sisters of Mercy - a religious order of nuns. It was built in 1892 and extended in 1936. 

Outreach meeting in the early days of the school.
 
  • Last revision Nov 2004
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