DL welcomes an AMEP volunteer in their offices

Ksenia, volunteer with DL

Ksenia comes from Russia.  After one month of arriving in Australia in April 2015 she started her AMEP English lessons with Navitas in Hurstville.  Gaining more confidence with her English, Ksenia enrolled in a SLPET (Settlement Language Pathway for Education and Training) course in Business Administration.

It was good luck that brought Ksenia to complete her work experience component of the course in Distance Learning as we always need extra help with administrative jobs.  After completing her 2 week work placement, Ksenia took initiative and asked if she could continue to work with us a on voluntary basis. Because we could see that Ksenia was very professional we were delighted to have her continue work with us.

We asked Ksenia about her 2 week work experience.  She said: "It was very useful because I had never worked in Australia before and I wanted to see what it would be like, how different it would be from working in Russia and how I can contribute.  Being in a new place with a new set of circumstances can be scary.  I didn't know what people do or the culture of the workplace in Australia.  I feel more confident now."

We also asked Ksenia why she offered to volunteer after her 2 week work experience was finished.  She said "I enjoy working as part of a team and being productive.  I find it hard to be home all the time.  Plus it helps me stay in touch with technology and work practices.  It is important not to lose my skills specially as I am looking for a job. I feel ready to work in Australia."

The management team in Distance Learning are so impressed by Ksenia's attitude to work and her administrative and computer skills.  The manager offered to be her referee and would highly recommend her for any job she applies for.  Although it would be sad to lose Ksenia, we wish her all the best for finding paid employment.

Do you have a good volunteering story to share!  Why not add your comments below!

Are you ready for the next job interview!

Anthony, DL Teacher

Anthony is one of our DL teachers who have been trained to help students seeking employment and wanting to practise for the next job interview.

Before the first lesson Anthony usually sends the student a Job Interview Package which includes sample interview questions and tips on how to create a positive impression. If students have a resume and a covering letter they will typically send them before the lesson to Anthony so he can give them feedback and suggest sections that can be adapted.  If students don’t have a resume or a covering letter, however, Anthony can send them samples and ask them to prepare these documents for his review.

So Anthony, what do you do in these lessons!
In Lesson 1 I usually discuss:

- Student work goals and what type of jobs they're looking for
- Topics in the Job Interview Package – tips and sample questions
- How to answer specific job interview questions
- Feedback or tips on writing a good resume and a covering letter
- Responding to criteria listed in an advertisement
- Information about employment websites

For homework I ask students to find a job ad that interests them from seek.com.au and email me the link before the second lesson.

In Lesson 2, I role play the job interview with the student, give feedback, then role play it again more carefully. Students usually perform better as a result of the practice.

What advice would you give students seeking employment?

Students are often concerned that they don’t get jobs because of their English.  This may not be true.  Although having good English is important, it may have to do more with the experience they’ve had and the skills they can offer the job.  I focus on special techniques for answering questions such as how to emphasise that their abilities would benefit the company.

Can these lessons help students with their CSWE learning outcomes?

Certainly, Level 3 students can achieve Learning Outcome D2 "Participate in an interview" plus we have employment modules for both Level 2 and 3 students.

• What concerns you the most about job interviews?
• What is the hardest question you can get asked?

If you need help, why not ask your regular DL teacher for 2 additional Job Interview Practice lessons with one of our experienced teachers!

Haroon prefers to learn by distance

Haroon and family

I come from Pakistan. I completed my Master's degree in Finance in 2000 in Pakistan and worked in different positions in accounting. I got married in 2008 and I now have two girls. When I arrived here, I did not have any communication skills because English is my second language. So I decided to enroll in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) to improve my English and get Certificate III in Spoken and Written English.

I have been studying with DL for ten months. Now, I feel more confident when I speak English and I'm improving everyday.  I found that studying by distance is more convenient and flexible.  If I have an emergency I can reschedule my lesson so I don't miss any lessons.  In addition, it saves me time and money because I don't have to travel to classes.

My teacher Nada concentrates on my needs and weaknesses and teaches me the Australian culture. She tries to improve my employability skills and provides me with good tips for finding an appropriate job.  She also sends me a lot of video links after the lesson which help reinforce what I have learned and learn new things as well. There are a lot of e-books on the AMEP DL website which are very helpful.

I am very pleased with my DL experience as I think it is one of the best ways to help me improve my English language faster and it suits my circumstances. 

• How can you get the most out of your DL lessons?
• What are Employability Skills?  Check this link to see which ones you have and which ones you need.

Give Happy, Live happy - National Volunteer Week

This week we celebrate National Volunteer Week.  Volunteering means giving your time and working for no money, so why do we do it? Research shows that volunteers live happier and healthier lives.  We asked two of our teachers about the volunteer work they've done when they're not paid to teach.

Linda, far left

DL Teacher, Linda, volunteered to be a reading mentor and a role-model in public schools to help students develop their reading and comprehension skills. She works with one student on a weekly basis for one term through the ABCN Spark program.  She finds it rewarding to share her skills to help someone in her community and make a difference.  Linda says it is a lot of fun to see the students improve their reading levels, enjoy reading more and engage in conversations increasing their confidence and self-esteem.

Baby possums with Karen

DL Teacher, Karen, is a volunteer for rescuing and caring for injured or displaced native animals such as birds, lizards and possums through the wildlife rescue organisation, WIRES.  Her favourite are baby possums.  She enjoys bottle feeding them until they're ready to be released back into the wild.  Karen also plans to do further training to raise kangaroo joeys, koalas and wombats.  She does this volunteer work because she loves animals and finds it rewarding to save them, watch them grow and be safely free again in the wild.  She says this has also been a wonderful experience for her children.

• Have you ever volunteered?  What did you do?
• What are the benefits of volunteering for new migrants in Australia?
• What kind of volunteer work is available?
• How do you find volunteer work in your area?

Why not share your views or what you've done to volunteer here and inspire other students!

Your DL Virtual Restaurant Cookbook is here!

Feeling Hungry? Get ready to tempt your taste buds and try a new dish from the Distance Learning Virtual Restaurant Cookbook.
Over 34 students and staff from 18 countries have contributed their favourite recipes. Yum, well done!
To go to the cookbook just click on this link: DL Virtual Restaurant Cookbook These meals remind us of home, cooking in the kitchen with family and many recipes are handed down from parents and grandparents.

Take your time to browse through the delicious meals and read the recipes and reflections on why the meal is special. Here are a few students' thoughts on 'Why is this dish important to me and my culture?'

"It is the Vietnamese Mini Savoury Pancake (Banh Khot). It is important because the round shape looks like the moon and it's romantic, it also brings peace." Trinh from Vietnam.

"This dish (Asian BBQ prawns) is important to me because my mother usually cooks this dish during important Chinese festivals like Chinese New Year and the Moon Festival. I can recall many good memories when every time I eat this dish." Karen from Hong Kong, China.

 Fish Amok "is a dish my mum taught me how to cook when I was just a skinny kid-8 years old. I love to go to the markets in the early morning and buy the fresh fish and vegetables before it gets too late in the day. I like to cook this dish with my sisters and my mum when I visit my home. Lottie from Cambodia.

"I will never forget the smell of my Grandmother's house cooking beans. This is why beans are my favourite and I will eat them for the rest of my life!" Sandra from Colombia.

"Tabbouleh is important to me because it reminds me of my mother who loved it. Tabbouleh is served at all occasions in the Middle East and a meal is never complete without it." Maha D.L. teacher.

Would you like to review a recipe? How about writing a review just like on My Kitchen Rules?
Click on this link to open a worksheet with vocabulary and tips for writing a food review.

How to write a recipe review

Please write your review in the comments section below. Our home cooks would love to know what you think of their recipe. 

Words of Wisdom

Wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment.  It is learnt as we journey through life.  As we experience the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs, we grow and become wise.  Wisdom is also learnt from people who inspire and support us.  For International Women's Day in March you did a project.  You wrote a quote from an inspirational woman in your life.  So now your project is finished and ready to view.  Here are the combined "Words of Wisdom" from the Navitas DL students.

Presentation 1 is easy to read, just click on this link to open Words Of Wisdom 1

Presentation 2 is harder to read, just click on this link to open Words of Wisdom 2

Our story this week is from Katty.  She shares her wisdom from her mother:

A woman who has inspired me is my mum who is a very nice and strong lady.  She does everything for her family and I.  She works very hard and is patient.  My mum told me people thought, 20 years ago, that a lady could not do anything without a man.  But now everything has changed for the better.  Now a woman can work outside and do everything that a man can do.  Thai women now are doing all sorts of important jobs including being the Prime Minister.  Now everyone agrees that a woman and a man are equal.

What are your thoughts on the Words of Wisdom presentations?

Welcome to Navitas settlement website

Settle-in website

We are pleased to introduce you to the new website that Navitas has developed to assist you as a new migrant with finding information about the different settlement services in Australia.

You can navigate easily through the website.  Simply hover your mouse over the town map and each building will take you to one of these settlement themes:

Learning English, Community, Health, Money, Housing, Transport, Education, Work, Law, Australian Society

You can click on any theme to access links to information about different topics.

You will find the website address by going to Links on the right hand side of the blog and clicking on the second link: English language websites.  This will take you to our Wiki page which has useful information and resources for all our DL students.

Did you know some services are offered by the Federal / Australian government in all the states but there are other services that are offered by your state government.  If you find a link to a NSW service for example you may like to look for a similar service in your state.

Test yourself - Where can you find the following information on the website!

• Social etiquette - what personal questions you should avoid asking or what it means to shout somebody in a pub
• Immigration and visas - what to do if your short-term visa expires
• Consumer rights - what to do if you have a problem with the fridge you recently bought
• Mental health - where to go if a family member is suffering from depression
• Beach safety - how to find out if the beach is safe for swimming and what lifeguards do

Why not share a fact you learnt from the website or leave your feedback about the website here!