Do you use "Your Call" on an Apple device?

It is convenient to use your iPad or iPhone for AMEP Distance Learning's 'Your Call' website. However when using 'Your Call' on your Apple device you can't watch the video or click and drag words. This is because Apple uses 'Safari' for the Internet, but 'Safari' doesn't allow some features.

The answer is to download the App Puffin Browser from the App Store. It is a free web browser so you can watch Your Call videos and do all the activities. Use the touchpad to click and drag words and go to Settings to turn off Pop-Up Blocker.

The instructions are on our Distance Learning Wiki page just click here.
Navitas Distance Learning Wiki-Puffin Browser instructions

Discuss with your teacher or enter your answers to these questions on the blog. **

1. What other free Apple or Android Apps do you use to learn English?

2. Why is it difficult to do your Distance Learning lesson on your smartphone?

3.Why are smart device apps a good way to practise English?


** Be the first student to post an answer or a comment on the blog and win a prize!
Click on No comments below, type your text in the box and post with a google account such as an outlook or gmail email.

Low Cost Computers

Do you need a computer or a laptop?

WorkVentures is a non-profit organisation that refurbishes computers and sells them at an affordable price.  To be eligible you have to be registered with Centrelink.

If you cannot afford to pay for your computer in one lump sum WorkVentures can offer a payment plan over a few months.

All laptops and computers are tested before resale and come with:

• Microsoft Office 2010 software
• Anti-virus protection
• Six month warranty
• Nationwide delivery

For more information or to order online visit www.workventures.com.au or call 1800 112 205.

DL teachers can download the brochure from the website for students who don't have a computer and are therefore unable to see this post.  They can also refer them to Pathways Advisors for information.

Interview Practice Sessions Pay Off

Shakeela - DL Student

I moved to Australia in July 2013 and started my Distance Learning lessons in May 2014.  My teacher Karen was extremely friendly and very helpful.  She assisted me with my initial settlement and was very aware of my job search and future career plans so she told me I could have 2 hours of Job Interview Practice Sessions with an experienced DL teacher.

I was keen to get these lessons and the very next day I got a call from Craig, an excellent teacher who not only gave me positive and constructive feedback but pointed out things in my resume which I never thought could be a problem. I made those changes in my resume and applied for a Human Resources role in July.  The next day I got a call from a recruitment company for an interview which went very well.   Right after that I got a job with the Salvation Army Employment Plus as a Consultant.  

This was the most amazing piece of news.  My husband and I were extremely excited. This is my first job in Australia and I am so grateful to Karen for helping me throughout the job hunting process and to Craig for helping me with job interview techniques which were very useful.  I enjoy my new role as it’s very interesting and challenging.  I am really looking forward to learning and growing.

Congratulations Shakeela and our best wishes for a bright career in Australia.

If you need help with interview techniques why not take advantage of the additional Interview Practice Sessions we offer! This can be organised through your DL teacher.

Tax Webinar - Wednesday 29/7 12:30-1:30 EST

If you have joined the webinar we hope you have found the information useful.

A) What are some different ways you can lodge your tax return?

B) When do you have to lodge your tax return?

C) What can you use the tax App for?

Watch the video to find the answers:

You can watch similar tax information videos in your language here.

STUDENT RUBS SHOULDERS WITH POLITICIANS

Parliament House, Canberra

My name is Raquel and I'm from Brazil. I arrived in Australia at the end of 2010 to do a Masters degree in Engineering.

After I arrived I realised that in order to do my studies and get a good job I still had a lot of work to do to improve my English.  I was uncertain about my priorities; should I study and work at the same time? Also there were cultural differences that I needed to adjust to before I felt confident for a job interview.

In August 2014 I started to study English with the AMEP by Distance Learning and I have had the opportunity to improve my writing, speaking and grammar with the help of my DL teacher, Ross.  One good thing about the course was that my communication skills improved and I was confident to go for a job interview.

In December last year I saw a position available on the Parliament House website for work with the Senate and I felt confident to apply.  I was invited for an interview.  Luckily a few weeks later I got a phone call informing me that I have been successful.

Wooww...My husband and I were very excited and I told my family back in Brazil straightaway.  They were very proud and happy and gave me their congratulations. I am very thankful that God has given me this opportunity.  Now I am working at Parliament and I have found the work very interesting. I get the chance to meet a lot of famous people.

Although I am considering going back to Uni and finishing my Masters, this is a decision that just the future can tell.

Congratulations Raquel on your wonderful achievement.  We wish you continued success in Australia.

Has the DL program helped you with your life or career goals? 

Have you got a story to share? Why not send it to us through your DL teacher and inspire others!

MEET JUDA - DL STUDENT

Juda - Level 3 Student

Juda from South Australia

I just want to share the story of how I met the challenges of my life in Australia…

I decided to go to a playgroup for my daughter and I attended an AMEP course as a Distance Learning Student because TAFE is a long drive from where I am.  Being a DL student makes me feel confident to talk. Later on I decided to get a job as a housekeeper in a hotel, and now I have a lot of friends and I am very happy.

Thanks Juda for sharing your Harmony Day story.

• What is helping you or can help you settle in Australia? (Why not add your comments here!)

• What is a playgroup? Is there one near your home? 

• For more information visit Playgroup Australia.

STUDENT FEEDBACK

We are very interested in any feedback you have.  Your feedback helps us understand what you need so that we can improve your experience with Distance Learning.

You can give us your feedback in one of these ways:

1. Client Satisfaction Surveys - Your teacher will send you the link from time to time
2. Talk to one of our Pathways Advisors 
3. The Feedback section of the DL Portal website: amepdl.net.au
4. The Feedback section of this blog

We will be happy to answer your questions or comments.  Here are 2 comments we received from the Client Satisfaction Survey:

Can you recommend some books about pronunciation for me?

This will depend on your level and what problem areas you need to work on.  One helpful way is to practise saying minimal pairs which are two words that sound the same except for one sound only and they are often confusing to the language learner.  Examples berry/very or bed/bad.  Try this website to help you listen and practise:  http://www.shiporsheep.com

I would prefer to include more grammar in the books.

Under Links on this blog we have saved useful English language websites on our Wiki.  There you can find lots of grammar exercises to practise.  Look for Grammar in the green section on the left of the website.