Building resilient communities through English language programs
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Imagine, you are forced to leave your country because it is no longer safe for you to live there. Your life and the lives of your family are in danger. You just have to get out. You only have the clothes on your back and the money in your pocket. You leave with your partner and your children to move to a new country. When you arrive in this new strange place, you don’t know anyone. You don’t know where to start to find housing, a school for your children, how to go to the doctor or anything else you need for settlement. How do you feel? You feel lost, uprooted, tired, possibly scared and worried. And you can’t speak the language, maybe you can’t even read it, and so you start with Learning English. Learning a new language as a tool for social integration.
Navitas Skilled Futures is funded by the federal government to deliver the AMEP and SEE Programs. In these programs we create learning environments that foster a sense of belonging by adapting our classroom practice and encouraging learners to develop meaningful relationships with their classmates both in and outside of class. Students attend class not only to develop their LLND skills, but also to connect with classmates and their teachers. Many students live alone or in small households, and don’t have family and friends around, so our classes become a place for them to feel they belong in a community. Excursions also help specific community classes to improve connection to the community and how learning English within the new community (English in Australia) can enhance the feelings of being part of the community, part of the society and part of culture. Our students have had opportunities to apply language skills in real world communities through programs such as our ‘English for Sewing’ ‘English for driving’ and Pathways to Work which incorporates work experience where learners develop skills for work and apply what they have learned in the classroom in a real workplace. This presentation will focus on showcasing best practice in delivering English learning with a purpose through culturally based practices to new migrants and refugees through a combination of language and life skills.
Presenter: Vlasta Gunning
A language teacher and educator since 1995, experienced in teaching a number of languages across the world. English as a second language teacher for 19 years, teaching English to CALD communities in Australia since 2006.
Highly skilled in Inter-cultural Communication, Teaching Languages other than English, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Educational Assessment and Quality Assurance.
Highly experienced in delivering curricula-based training and training packages in the CALD sector, including foundation skills programs, digital learning and vocational education. Currently working as the Lead Quality Assurance at Navitas Skilled Futures.
Presenter: Grace Nabhan
English Language teacher since 2012, experienced in teaching in Distance Learning, and face to face classes. Have taught across different levels and programs teaching English to CALD communities preparing them for settlement and employment in Australia.
Highly skilled in integrating technology in delivery with over 3 experiences working as a mentor for staff to help them integrate technology into their lessons with workshops and 1-1 training, designing learning materials and training teachers to design interactive learning materials using an LMS.
Currently working as an Academic Teal Leader at one of the colleges in South West Sydney for Navitas Skilled Futures.
