An innovative new program is re-engaging adult English language learners who have had to give up attending classes to earn a living.
The AMEP Innovation Program, delivered by AMES Australia in Mildura and Robinvale, in Victoria's north-west, is giving migrants and refugees the opportunity to fulfil their educational and career ambitions.
AMES Australia teacher Albi Dinkar said the program was offering alternative ways for migrants and refugees to improve their English.
She said most of the 30 students in the program had started learning English in conventional Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) classes but were forced to stop when they gained employment.
“Many of these people need to earn a living in the short term but they also have long term goals in their career aspirations or educational priorities," Ms Dinkar said.
“These goals inevitably require higher levels of English and the AMEP Innovation Program is helping the learners to realise them," she said.
The program utilises 'MyAMES Chat' a new AI driven mobile app that is aimed at supporting migrants and refugees improve their English.
The app has a particular focus on helping learners achieve their employment goals and to resume their professional careers more quickly.
The program also uses AMES online learning resources through MyAMES platform as well as volunteer tutors and one-on-one sessions with professional teachers when required.
The program allows learners to study at home at their own convenience.
English student Theofille Niyokwizera, who also works with Mildura Fruits said the program enabled him to continue to study while also working.
“This program helps me to improve my pronunciation, writing and confidence to talk to people. It gives the flexibility to learn English while working," he said
AMES CEO Cath Scarth the AMEP Innovation Program was a realisation that English language learning for migrants and refuges needed to be flexible and tailored to the needs of the individual learner.
“A professionally delivered English language program is critical to successful settlement. It underpins the high level of social cohesion Australia enjoys and it delivers positive economic outcomes for individuals and society as a whole," she said.
“An English program that is flexible and meets the individual needs and aspirations of students and that offers language acquisition that is relevant to people's everyday lives is critical to the success of Australia's migration and humanitarian programs," Ms Scarth said.
AMES Australia is an AMEP provider in Regional Victoria. AMEP is funded by the Department of Home Affairs. You can learn more at https://www.ames.net.au/students/about-amep