For migrants and refugees looking to learn not only English but also the intricacies of Australian culture, the Melbourne AMEP volunteer tutor scheme program does just that.
Pairing volunteers with eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants, the program ensures they can enhance their English language skills and settle into life in a new country.
Interested volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and better understand the program with an information session at Croydon Library on Monday 26 May between 10am and 11am.
The AMEP, or the Adult Migrant English Program, is funded by the Department of Home Affairs allowing the service to be provided for free.
An added layer of support under the volunteer tutor scheme (VTS) matches a volunteer with a student for one to two hours per week for one-on-one sessions.
Melbourne AMEP VTS coordinator Kelly-Ann Maughan said volunteers make the program possible.
“Volunteers receive free training and are matched to AMEP learners to support them in their English language learning and help them integrate better into Australian life,” she said.
“We recognise the enormous contribution our VTS volunteers make in welcoming and supporting migrants and refugees as they build their lives in Australia.
“If you talk to our volunteers, they say that they get as much out of this experience as they put in. It really is a rich mutual exchange, and the benefits continue for the community at large.”
While learning and teaching English is the primary goal, benefits in the form of friendship, culture swapping and the telling of unique stories all come together in the program.
VTS tutor Vivian went the extra mile to support her student by not only preparing her learner to take the citizenship test but by driving her learner to the test itself. Being successful, the pair celebrated over lunch together afterwards.
Stories of friendships sprouting are common for volunteer tutors but so too are the mutual rewards.
“It’s a very, very satisfying thing to be doing, to be working with people, making new friends, and also learning myself as we go along. It is indeed a two-way street,” VTS tutor Adrian said.
Volunteers don’t require a background in teaching and are given the appropriate training before starting.
The learning programs are targeted to each individual learner’s goals and objectives, whether that be conversational English, Australian employment processes like working on resumes or practicing interviews, connecting with local services or sharing information about Australian culture.
“A volunteer tutor offers students a connection to their local community and a safe and encouraging space to become confident using English.”
The Melbourne AMEP services five regions across Melbourne and Bendigo and is actively seeking volunteers across all these regions.
Croydon falls in the North East Region where there is a high demand for volunteer tutors, particularly from the Chin community.
At the information session, attendees will hear from both learners and tutors in pre-recorded interviews about the importance and benefits of the program.
Anyone interested in attending the in-person session in Croydon can book by visiting: eventbrite.com.au/e/hear-about-the-volunteer-tutor-scheme-through-stories-at-croydon-library-tickets-1148811469029
An online session will also be held on Wednesday 21 May from 6.30pm which can be booked via: eventbrite.com.au/e/melbourne-amep-volunteer-tutor-information-session-4-tickets-1324719775509
To find out more about the Melbourne AMEP, visit melbourneamep.com.au
