Approved Locations

Asia

Bangladesh

EnglishConnect in Bangladesh

Summary

February 14, 2024 updated March 21, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as an unregistered ecclesiastical body (the “Church”), can carry out the revised EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Bangladesh using the revised religious curriculum approved in 20231 as an unregistered ecclesiastical activity. The revised EnglishConnect novice program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities that may also take place in Bangladesh. The Church may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Church provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content and that they will not carry accredited value.

The revised EnglishConnect novice program in Bangladesh was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines.

There should be no cost associated with the program or its materials. 2
The Church should take precautions to ensure that the program activities (invitations and conversations sessions) do not wound religious sentiments of other religions in Bangladesh. This includes:
- Completely avoid initiating any controversy or contention, and withdraw immediately from any such situation that arises;
- Avoid any social media posts regarding the program;
- Church members should not invite Muslims to participate unless Area policy changes in this respect. 3
Do not engage in mass media messaging without prior approval from the Area. 4
Church members may extend respectful personal invitations to friends and acquaintances; such invitations should disclose the religious nature of the sessions.

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Bangladesh according to the following general program guidelines:

Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it. 5
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program.
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.

EnglishConnect 3
The advice above does not apply to BYU-Pathway Worldwide (“BYU-PW”) and its offering of EnglishConnect 3. For information regarding BYU-PW’s EnglishConnect3 program please reference InfoGuide.

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.
Currently there is no legal entity available to administer the program and any funds collected. Even if a legal entity is later created, local counsel advises not to charge any fees to avoid any issue with the tax-exempt status of that entity.
It is legally permitted to invite Muslims but highly sensitive with potential safety implications. The current Asia Area policy is NOT to invite or include Muslims in religious activities such as EnglishConnect. If the Asia Area policy changes after consideration of safety concerns, legally Muslims may be invited.
The general tenor of the applicable law is that advertisements or media which may hurt cultural values or social norms in Bangladesh or may wound religious sentiment are prohibited. We understand that nonMuslim religions typically avoid advertising religious programs (such as EnglishConnect) in Bangladesh for this reason. In addition, under the Cyber Security Act 2023, publishing any content in any website or electronic media that hurts or incites to hurt any religious feeling is punishable with imprisonment up to two years and/or fine up to BDT 500,000 (BDT Five hundred thousand) or both. This provision is a reenactment of a similar restriction set out in the former Digital Security Act 2018, which was replaced and amended by the Cyber Security Act 2023. Local counsel advises that there have been instances of misuse of this penal provision, whereby cases were filed against liberal or different views which were deemed as hurting religious sentiment.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Cambodia

EnglishConnect in Cambodia

Summary

January 25, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Cambodian association (the “Association”), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Cambodia as long as it uses the revised religious curriculum approved in 2023.1 The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Cambodia. The Association should ensure that each participant understands that these groups will contain significant religious content and that they will not carry accredited value. The Association should also outline to prospective participants the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect materials.

The EnglishConnect program in Cambodia was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines:

Classes should focus on learning the gospel, with gospel principles incorporated into every speaking activity and lesson. Even going beyond the religious principles already incorporated into the revised curriculum to include additional religious conversation is appropriate since the objective is to be more of a religious conversation in English than an English class per se.
EnglishConnect groups should be less formal than the manual suggests, with a focus on conversation rather than formal teaching.
Instructors should divide the course into shorter, more flexible, and less formal modules of 4-5 sessions.
EnglishConnect groups in Cambodia should be marketed as “Christian (or religious) conversations in English” or “English conversation groups” rather than “free English classes.”

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Cambodia according to the following general program guidelines:

The program may be advertised through mass media (newspaper, radio, paid social media ads) or by handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards, provided the advertisements contain:
- Prominent placement of the Church’s name;
- A statement that there is no cost for EnglishConnect novice programs; and
- A statement that EnglishConnect novice programs are not accredited.
Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible; and
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.2
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.

Online Hosting from Abroad
Online hosting of the EnglishConnect novice program described above from Hong Kong or from the United States is also permissible and would not impact the legal analysis.

EnglishConnect 3
BYU-Pathway Worldwide (“BYU-PW”) can offer EnglishConnect 3 in Cambodia. Because BYUPW will offer EnglishConnect 3 through the Pathway program, it must operate under the same conditions as Pathway. For more information on EnglishConnect 3 and the Pathway program, please refer to the Pathway Program Report, under the Church Education key topic for Cambodia on InfoGuide. (In the past, Brigham Young University – Idaho was the entity that offered Pathway programs, but it transferred its Pathway activities to BYU-PW in 2019.)

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.

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Hong Kong

EnglishConnect in Hong Kong

Summary

September 11, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hong Kong Limited, a Hong Kong company limited by guarantee (“HK Ltd.”), should not implement the revised curriculum approved in 2023 1 for the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Hong Kong. Local counsel has advised that under Hong Kong law, if the number of students participating in the program exceeds 19 students on any given day or exceeds seven students in any class, the program must be registered under Hong Kong’s Education Ordinance (Cap. 279), unless it can be shown that the gatherings are “solely religious” in nature. Although the revised EnglishConnect curriculum has more religious content than previously, local counsel has advised that the amount of religious content and the structure of the program leave significant questions about whether the program is able to satisfy that requirement. HK Ltd. may continue its present practice of organizing informal English Conversation Groups consistent with the July 2019 “Promotional Guidelines for English Conversation Groups” approved by the Asia Area Presidency for use in selected sensitive jurisdictions, including Hong Kong (the “Guidelines”). The revised curriculum may be used as reference materials for those leading the informal conversation groups but should not be the core curriculum. The Guidelines include the following:

English conversation groups should be promoted as an “English Conversation Group” rather than a “Free English Class” or other related terms.
No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
- No newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising.
- Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or pass-along cards are acceptable.
- Facebook Messenger, Line, WhatsApp and other announcements in closed groups or to specific individuals for the English Conversation Groups are acceptable.
- Missionaries can share information about English Conversation Groups on street corners with signage or pass-along cards.
Websites sharing information about the location(s) and time(s) of the English Conversation Group are acceptable; however, they should only refer to English Conversation Groups, they should not contain information that promotes or refers to “teaching English” or “English classes.”
- Quizlets may be used with the English conversation groups if the link does not direct them to the EnglishConnect website. The quizlets may be hosted on the country webpage under English Conversation Groups.
No online registration for English Conversation Groups that collects information beyond a name, district/city, email address or social media contact ID, and contact phone number.
Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form found on English conversation groups.lds.org/leaders) as well as the translated PDF version of the parental consent form provided:
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible; and
- If someone 18 or under is living on their own, parental consent is not needed.

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.

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India

EnglishConnect in India

Summary

August 15, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The Indian Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the “Society"), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in India under a non-religious curriculum without missionary involvement. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already permitted to take place in India. The Society may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Society provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will not carry accredited value and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials. Based on the advice of local counsel the EnglishConnect program should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines:

The pre-2023 (non-religious) curriculum should be used and religious principles should not be included in the group discussions.
The program should be promoted among members of the Church and non-members. Any advertisement or promotion of the program should be inclusive of non-members and members, alike.
Missionaries located within India should not participate in the program either as hosts or participants.
Neither hosts nor participants may be located in a tax-exempt meetinghouse or other taxexempt property of the Society during group discussions.
Prior to implementing the program in any State or Union Territory within India, OGC must be advised and complete a legal review for that State or Union Territory to ascertain whether there are any additional local regulations that may be applicable to teaching English.

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in India according to the following general program guidelines:

Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.1
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides unless they conflict with the country-specific guidelines above.

Online Hosting from Abroad
Online hosting of the EnglishConnect novice program from outside of India is also permissible subject to the following. Participants should not be located in a tax-exempt property within India during the group discussions. Missionaries outside India may host such group discussions with participants located within India, provided that either (i) the program is limited to members of the Church or (ii) the program does not include religious content. Missionary hosts must be trained to ensure the program does not contain religious content, either in the curriculum or through conversation.

EnglishConnect 3
EnglishConnect 3 is a separate program conducted in association with the Pathway Program. For information regarding this program in India, please refer to the Church Education key topic on InfoGuide.

If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using an LDS Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Macau

EnglishConnect in Macau

Summary

April 1, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now
The Macau Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the “Association”), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Macau using the revised religious curriculum approved in 2023. 1 The revised EnglishConnect novice program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Macau. The Association may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Association provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content and that they will not carry accredited value. This disclosure should also outline the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.

The revised EnglishConnect novice program in Macau was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following Macau-specific guidelines.

Non-resident missionaries who do not have work visas should not spend more than 45 days in a six-month period teaching EnglishConnect courses and the mission president should consult with OGC before missionaries with work visas teach EnglishConnect. 2
As of the date of this summary we understand that non-resident proselyting missionaries serving in Macau enter on a “Limit Stay Granted Upon Arrival” and may stay in Macau for up to 30 days (6 months if from the U.K and 1 year if from Hong Kong). We further understand that there are no missionaries in Macau on longer-term work visas currently. If the Association applies for longer-term work visas for missionaries in the future, the Association should include “conducting religious conversation groups in English” or specify the activities to be undertaken in the visa application in order to permit missionaries to conduct EnglishConnect classes while on a longer-term visa.
Any advertising of EnglishConnect in Macau should be coordinated with the Area.3 Subject to Area approval, the program may be advertised through mass media (newspaper, radio, paid social media ads) or by handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards, provided the advertisements contain:
- Prominent placement of the Church’s name;
- A statement that there is no cost for EnglishConnect novice programs; and
- A statement that EnglishConnect novice programs are not accredited.

Obtain parental consent for each student under 18 years old (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):

Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
If someone under 18 is legally emancipated, parental consent is not needed.

In addition to the Macau-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Macau according to the following general program guidelines:

Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.4
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program.
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.

Online Hosting from Abroad
Online hosting of the EnglishConnect novice program described above from within the Asia Area or from the United States is also permissible and would not impact the legal analysis. It would facilitate any immigration-related restrictions contained in the Macau-specific guidelines above.

EnglishConnect 3
BYU-Pathway Worldwide (“BYU-PW”) can offer EnglishConnect 3 in Macau. Because BYUPW will offer EnglishConnect 3 through the Pathway program, it must operate under the same conditions as Pathway. For more information on EnglishConnect 3 and the Pathway program, please refer to the Pathway Program Report, under the Church Education key topic for Macau on InfoGuide. (In the past, Brigham Young University – Idaho was the entity that offered Pathway programs, but it transferred its Pathway activities to BYU-PW in 2019.)

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.
Under the Regulation on Prohibition of Illegal Work, Macau non-residents may not work on behalf of others without the necessary authorization, even if such work is not paid. As an exception, a person or entity, such as the Association, may invite a non-resident to engage in religious, sporting, academic, cultural and artistic activities without authorization for up to 45 days within a calendar period of six months. Non-resident missionaries who have work visas may teach EnglishConnect courses under specific circumstances that should be evaluated by OGC before permitting such missionaries to teach English.
While no legal issue was raised regarding mass advertising, in the past the Asia Area has been concerned that broad advertising may attract the attention of for-profit English teachers who may complain to the government that EnglishConnect should be registered. Also, advertisements on billboards are subject to a license from the Municipal Affairs Bureau in Macau.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Malaysia

EnglishConnect in Malaysia

Summary

January 25, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now
In a discussion on December 12, 2023, between Karen DelPriore, Jeff Robinson, Chad Furness (DTA), Greg Clark (ALC) and Mickey Lui (Area WSR Manager), the decision was made not to proceed to implement the newly approved EnglishConnect curriculum in Malaysia due to visarelated concerns for missionary instructors. However, if and when foreign missionaries in Malaysia are able to obtain professional visit passes (PVPs) allowing them to engage in English-teaching activities, the new curriculum may be adopted in Malaysia. Material considerations follow:

Under the revised curriculum, it is reasonable to take the position that the program is dedicated “exclusively to the teaching of any religion” and therefore would not render it an educational institution requiring registration and licensing.1
Similarly, with respect to the Malaysian PCLE’s tax exemption under the “Guidelines on Income Tax Exemption for Religious Institutions or Organizations” issued by the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board on 25 March 2021, the Church may, without undue risk, take the position that the revised program would not change the fact that the Thai Principal Church Legal Entity’s (the “PCLE’s”) “objective is exclusively for the purpose of religious worship and the advancement of religion”. Thus, implementation of the revised program would not involve undue risk to the PCLE’s tax exempt status.2
Foreign missionaries teaching the revised curriculum, which is more formal than the current approved approach in Malaysia,3 would involve undue risk because such activity is likely beyond the scope of permitted activities under their short-term (SVP) visas.4

Due to the visa implications, the revised EnglishConnect curriculum will not be implemented in Malaysia so long as foreign missionaries only have SVPs. If, in the future, missionaries are able to obtain longer-term PVP visas and their applications mention the teaching of English as part of their missionary service, the revised EnglishConnect program may be implemented.
While it is possible for stakes to implement the standard program under the revised curriculum, if local resident members (not missionaries) serve as instructors, Area personnel preferred not to have two separate approaches (one for missionaries and one within stakes). If, in the future, there is a desire to implement EnglishConnect using local resident instructors, through stake channels, please consult with the Area Legal Counsel and Area Self-Reliance Manager before proceeding.

Missionaries may continue to utilize the EnglishConnect materials amongst themselves to learn the English language, which is viewed as part of their missionary training and not as a separate program to teach English.

EnglishConnect 3
EnglishConnect 3 is a separate program conducted in association with the Pathway Program. For information regarding this program in Malaysia, please refer to the Church Education key topic on InfoGuide.

See Section 2.2 of Wong & Partners opinion dated 11 August 2023 available on InfoGuide.
See Section 1.7 of Wong & Partners opinion dated 11 August 2023.
That approach is described in InfoGuide Key Topics under “Missions/Missionary – Teaching English.”
See Sections 6.2 and 6.6 of Wong Partners opinion dated 11 August 2023.

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Nepal

EnglishConnect in Nepal

Summary

March 21, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as an unregistered ecclesiastical body1 , can carry out the revised EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Nepal using the revised religious curriculum approved in 20232 as an unregistered ecclesiastical activity. The Church should not issue any OGC-approved certificates of completion. We recommend that the Church disclose to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content and that they will not carry accredited value.

The EnglishConnect program in Nepal was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines:

EnglishConnect conversations should be hosted from abroad with online participation within Nepal.
The Church meetinghouse may be used for online participants within Nepal if desired. Individual (or family) online participation in homes is also permitted, but if groups gather to participate online it should be in a meetinghouse as opposed to in a home.
There should be no cost associated with the program or its materials.
Church members may extend respectful personal word of mouth invitations to friends and acquaintances; such invitations should disclose the religious nature of the sessions.
The Church should take precautions to ensure that program activities (invitations and conversation sessions) do not wound religious sentiments of other religions in Nepal. This includes:
- Completely avoid initiating any controversy or contention, and withdraw immediately from any such situation that arises;
- Avoid any social media posts regarding the program;
- Church members should not invite Muslims to participate unless Area policy changes in this respect. 3
Do not produce or distribute any printed invitations or engage in mass media messaging.4

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Nepal according to the following general program guidelines:

Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.5
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.

Online Hosting from Abroad
As noted above the Church may host online classes described above from outside of Nepal without increased regulatory implications and in fact the approved program model in Nepal is online participation hosted from abroad.

Because there is no legal entity associated with the Church that is currently registered in Nepal, the EnglishConnect discussions would be associated with the Church as a global Christian faith, but not with any Nepal-registered legal entity.
At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.
It is legally permitted to invite Muslims but highly sensitive with potential safety implications. The current Asia Area policy is NOT to invite or include Muslims in religious activities such as EnglishConnect. If the Asia Area policy changes after consideration of safety concerns, legally Muslims may be invited.
Even friendly word of mouth invitations can be a sensitive religious issue giving rise to allegations of proselytizing and conversion. Printed advertisements should not be part of the program in Nepal.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Pakistan

EnglishConnect in Pakistan

Summary

March 21, 2024

EnglishConnect 1 and EnglishConnect 2
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Pakistan, a company limited by guarantee (the “Pakistan Church”), can carry out the revised EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2 and Learn English Now) in Pakistan through stake/district channels only using the revised religious curriculum approved in 20231 . The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Pakistan. The Pakistan Church should NOT issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses.

The EnglishConnect program in Pakistan was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines:

Only Church members should participate in the program; invitations to friends or acquaintances should not be extended..
Instructors/discussion leaders should be stake or district volunteers, not missionaries.
The EnglishConnect conversation sessions should be held exclusively within a Church meetinghouse.
The program should not be advertised in print in any way.
Participants should not be provided with any printed materials. Materials may only be accessed online by members within the meetinghouse.
Missionaries in Pakistan may not use the EnglishConnect program to conduct or engage in proselytizing activities for Muslims or others in Pakistan. They may personally study the curriculum as part of their mission training only.

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Pakistan according to the following general program guidelines:

Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.2
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program. This should easily be met using the revised curriculum.
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.

EnglishConnect 3
EnglishConnect 3 is a separate program conducted in association with the Pathway Program. For information regarding this program in Pakistan, please refer to the Church Education key topic on InfoGuide.

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Singapore

EnglishConnect in Singapore

Summary

June 8, 2023

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Singapore Limited, a Singapore company limited by guarantee (“Singapore Ltd.”), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Singapore. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Singapore. Missionaries in Singapore may also use the EnglishConnect program to teach gospel principles. Singapore Ltd. may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Singapore Ltd. provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.

The EnglishConnect program in Singapore was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines:

To comply with legal requirements governing personal data privacy and telemarketing messages, there should be no advertising via email, telephone, text messaging, or direct mail;
Where possible, advertisements should identify any nominal cost for program materials.

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Singapore according to the following general program guidelines:

The program may be advertised through mass media (newspaper, radio, paid social media ads) or by handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards, provided the advertisements contain:
- Prominent placement of the Church’s name;
- A statement that there is no cost for EnglishConnect novice programs; and
- A statement that EnglishConnect novice programs are not accredited.
Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.1
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.

EnglishConnect 3
BYU-Pathway Worldwide (“BYU-PW”) can offer EnglishConnect 3 in Singapore. Because BYU-PW will offer EnglishConnect 3 through the Pathway program, it must operate under the same conditions as Pathway. For more information on EnglishConnect 3 and the Pathway program, please refer to the Pathway Program Report, under the Church Education key topic for Singapore on InfoGuide. (In the past, Brigham Young University – Idaho was the entity that offered Pathway programs, but it transferred its Pathway activities to BYU-PW in 2019.)

If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using an LDS Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Sri Lanka

EnglishConnect in Sri Lanka

Summary

September 3, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ceylon (Guarantee) Limited, a Sri Lankan Company Limited by Guarantee (“Ceylon”), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Sri Lanka. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Sri Lanka. Ceylon may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that Ceylon provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content and that they will not carry accredited value.

The legal framework of the EnglishConnect program in Sri Lanka was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines:

Program participation should be strictly limited to members of the Church.
The program should not be advertised through mass media (newspaper, radio, paid social media ads) but may be advertised to Church members by handbills, posters, and announcements in Church. Such advertisements should contain:
- Prominent placement of the Church’s name (the global Christian faith as opposed to the Ceylon legal entity);
- The religious nature of the content of the program;
- A statement that there is no cost for EnglishConnect novice programs; and
- A statement that EnglishConnect novice programs are not accredited.
Ceylon should not charge any fees for materials. Program materials should be provided for free by online download where possible.

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Sri Lanka according to the following general program guidelines:

Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under1 (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible.
Provide every student (or the parents or guardian for a minor) a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it. 2
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation.
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program. This should easily be met using the revised curriculum.
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21 per global Church policy.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.

EnglishConnect 3
EnglishConnect 3 is a separate program conducted in association with the Pathway Program. For information regarding this program in Sri Lanka, please refer to the Church Education key topic on InfoGuide.

Since the age of majority is not linked to independence in Sri Lanka a person under the age of 18, though living alone, must still provide parental/guardian consent.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using an LDS Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Taiwan

EnglishConnect in Taiwan

Summary

December 30, 2023

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now The Foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan, a Taiwanese foundation (the “Foundation”), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Taiwan, as long as it uses the revised religious curriculum approved in 2023.1 The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Taiwan. The Foundation may issue OGCapproved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Foundation provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.

The EnglishConnect program in Taiwan was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines.

EnglishConnect groups in Taiwan should be marketed as “Christian conversations in English” or “English religious conversation groups” rather than “free English classes.”
EnglishConnect groups should be conducted in a manner that emphasizes “using English to conduct the preaching”. Classes should focus on learning the gospel, with gospel principles incorporated into every speaking activity and lesson. While the revised manual includes religious principles in every group discussion, it would be prudent to focus even more on religious discussion than what is reflected in the manual, particularly if a foreign missionary is involved in leading the discussion.

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Taiwan according to the following general program guidelines:

The program may be advertised through mass media2 (newspaper, radio, paid social media ads) or by handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards, provided the advertisements contain:
- Prominent placement of the Church’s name;
- A statement that there is no cost for EnglishConnect novice programs; and
- A statement that EnglishConnect novice programs are not accredited.
Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.3
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program.
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.

EnglishConnect 3
BYU-Pathway Worldwide (“BYU-PW”) can offer EnglishConnect 3 in Taiwan. Because BYUPW will offer EnglishConnect 3 through the Pathway program, it must operate under the same conditions as Pathway. For more information on EnglishConnect 3 and the Pathway program, please refer to the Pathway Program Report, under the Church Education key topic for Taiwan on InfoGuide. (In the past, Brigham Young University – Idaho was the entity that offered Pathway programs, but it transferred its Pathway activities to BYU-PW in 2019.)

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.
While no particular legal issue was raised regarding advertising, in the past the Asia Area has been concerned that broad advertising may attract the attention of for-profit English teachers who may complain to the government that EnglishConnect should be registered. Therefore, we recommend coordinating any advertising program with the Area and in consideration of the possibility that it could invite regulatory scrutiny.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Thailand

EnglishConnect in Thailand

Summary

April 1, 2024

EnglishConnect 1 and EnglishConnect 2

The Foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Thai foundation (the “Foundation”), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2 and Learn English Now) in Thailand using the revised religious curriculum approved in 20231 . The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Thailand. The Foundation should NOT issue certificates of completion (even OGC-approved certificates) to participants who complete EnglishConnect courses.

The EnglishConnect program in Thailand was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines.

EnglishConnect groups should be open to the public; there should be no formal registration or enrollment process and any person should be able to join in any group session at any time.
Groups should be less formal than the manual suggests, with a focus on conversation rather than formal teaching.
Instructors should not divide the course into any sort of modules or imply that there is a completion point for the group.
The Foundation should NOT issue certificates of completion.
Groups should not include any type of measurement or examination.
EnglishConnect groups in Thailand should be marketed as “Christian conversations in English” or “English conversation groups” rather than “free English classes.”

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Thailand according to the following general program guidelines:

Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.2
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program. This should easily be met using the revised curriculum.
Follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.

Online Hosting from Abroad
Online hosting of the EnglishConnect novice program described above from within the Asia Area or from the United States is also permissible and would not impact the legal analysis. EnglishConnect 3 EnglishConnect 3 is a separate program conducted in association with the Pathway Program. For information regarding this program in Thailand, please refer to the Church Education key topic on InfoGuide.

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Timor Leste

EnglishConnect in Timor Leste

Summary

April 4, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as a global Christian faith (the “Church”), is in the process of registering a non-profit association in Timor Leste (the “Association”). The Church can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Timor Leste pending registration of the Association using the revised religious curriculum approved in 2023. 1 Thereafter, the Association can carry out the program. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities that may also begin to take place in Timor Leste. Missionaries in Timor Leste may also use the EnglishConnect program. The Church and, once it is registered, the Association may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Church, and subsequently the Association provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost, if any, of EnglishConnect course materials.

The EnglishConnect program in Timor Leste was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines:

Any advertisements displayed on public property or viewable from public property require preapproval of the Municipal Administration or Municipal Authority.
Obtain parental consent for each student under 17 years old (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone under 17 is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.

In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Timor Leste according to the following general program guidelines:

Other than advertising messages requiring prior authorization under the country specific guideline above, the program may be advertised through mass media (newspaper, radio, paid social media ads) or by handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “passalong” cards, provided the advertisements contain:
- Prominent placement of the Church’s name;
- A statement that there is no cost for EnglishConnect novice programs; and
- A statement that EnglishConnect novice programs are not accredited.
Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.2
Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program. This should easily be met using the revised curriculum.
Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 17.
Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.

EnglishConnect 3
EnglishConnect 3 is a separate program conducted in association with the Pathway Program. For information regarding this program in Timor Leste, please refer to the Church Education key topic on InfoGuide.

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.

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Vietnam

EnglishConnect in Vietnam

Summary

September 11, 2024

EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now

The members of the Church in Vietnam, who are represented to the government in Vietnam by the Coordinating Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Vietnam, should not fully implement the revised curriculum approved in 20231 for the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Vietnam. Local counsel advises that facilities used by the Church in Vietnam are authorized to support religious activities, but the permits granting such authority do not support English teaching activities even if mixed with religious content as contemplated by the revised curriculum. The permits do support informal religious conversations in English as has been conducted in the past. Accordingly, Church members (including full-time service volunteers) may continue their present practice of organizing informal English Conversation Groups consistent with the July 2019 “Promotional Guidelines for English Conversation Groups” approved by the Asia Area Presidency for use in selected sensitive jurisdictions, including Vietnam (the “Guidelines”). The revised curriculum may be used as reference materials for those leading the informal conversation groups but should not be the core curriculum. The Guidelines include the following:

English conversation groups should be promoted as an “English Conversation Group” rather than a “Free English Class” or other related terms.
No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
- No newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising.
- Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or pass-along cards are acceptable.
- Facebook Messenger, Line, WhatsApp and other announcements in closed groups or to specific individuals for the English Conversation Groups are acceptable.
- Missionaries can share information about English Conversation Groups on street corners with signage or pass-along cards.
Websites sharing information about the location(s) and time(s) of the English Conversation Group are acceptable; however, they should only refer to English Conversation Groups, they should not contain information that promotes or refers to “teaching English” or “English classes.”
- Quizlets may be used with the English conversation groups if the link does not direct them to the EnglishConnect website. The quizlets may be hosted on the country webpage under English Conversation Groups.
No online registration for English Conversation Groups that collects information beyond a name, district/city, email address or social media contact ID, and contact phone number.
Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form found on English conversation groups.lds.org/leaders) as well as the translated PDF version of the parental consent form provided:
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible; and
- If someone 18 or under is living on their own, parental consent is not needed.

At the end of 2023, the EnglishConnect team developed and approved a new curriculum that incorporates the following changes: 1) the new manual includes gospel principles, including scripture references and discussion questions, into each conversation group session; 2) lessons will be mainly conversation practice (75% of class time), rather than more formal instruction; and 3) rather than 12-week prescribed modules, the curriculum is more flexible, with shorter, adaptable modules of 4-5 sessions each.