Ways to make learning English easier

Ways to make learning English easier.

My name is Sheila and I'm from Colombia in South America. I'd like to share a little about myself and also some tips on ways to make learning English easier.

I live with my husband in Brisbane, Queensland. Brisbane is a beautiful, peaceful city and is very similar to my hometown in Colombia. I love the calm city and the friendly people here. 

I work at the Brisbane International Airport as a 'Food and Beverage Attendant'. It has been a very good learning experience for me, because I've learnt to prepare food and make coffee. By talking in English to so many travellers I've also learnt to understand different English accents. As well I've come to understand that English is an important language used to talk with people from around the world. It's important for work, business and travel as it's a global language.

So I'd like to share with you some strategies which make learning English easier. My most important tip is to make friends with people. It's an excellent way to practice speaking English and improve your listening skills.

My other tips are in the Slideshow that I have made. There are some questions you can discuss with your teacher then write your ideas in the comments. It's saved in Google Drive so just click on this link to open Ways to make learning English easier.

• Why is it important for you to learn English?
• What ideas can you suggest to make listening and speaking easier?
• What else can you suggest to make reading and writing English easier?

Journey to my dream

Giovanna

My name is Giovanna and I come from Venezuela. Four years ago I planned my trip from Venezuela to Sydney to meet the man who would eventually become my husband. I met him 6 months earlier when he came to Venezuela for a holiday. When I first arrived I had very little English and it was super-hard to feel comfortable here. It was the hardest year of my life, as I had no idea how difficult it would be.

In Venezuela I worked as a product developer and my passion was to develop a women's clothing range. So when I arrived in Australia my dream was to run an international women's' fashion company with products imported from Venezuela. 

I began by dream in 2012 by working part-time in a Mexican restaurant while studying English full-time. I was exhausted, nonetheless money was what I needed. My next job was as a sandwich and salad maker in a salad bar. I had to work long hours. Finally I worked in a small coffee shop close to the city of Sydney. I began as a waitress, but soon my boss trained me in a managerial role, since he saw my professional and a proactive nature. 

At first I learnt English privately and progress was slow because I had to start learning English from scratch. Next I began learning English in the Navitas AMEP classroom, then switched to Navitas Distance Learning as I was working. DL has given me the opportunity to study and work at the same time and has also boosted my confidence in speaking with people. My teacher's encouragement has driven me to to work hard towards my dream.

So now I am realising my dream. I have started an online ladies fashion company called 'Cacao Tropical Clothing'. It sells and tailor makes beautiful, ladies jewellery and accessories. I import from Venezuela and sell online and through a Facebook page Cacao Tropical Clothing.I am very proud of my achievements but I am still learning English everyday. Without learning English I wouldn't have been able to settle in this country and call Australia my lovely home.

Congratulations to Giovanna for reaching her dream and starting her jewellery and accessories business.

• If you were to start your own business what service or product would you sell?
• How would you advertise your business?
• What skills would you need to manage an online business?

DL Pathways Advisor celebrates Chinese New Year

Jennifer, Pathways Advisor

My name is Jennifer. Some of you may already know me as I'm one of the Pathways Advisors for DL students.

I come from Fujian in South China.  I came to Australia 7 years ago as an International student and completed two Masters degrees in Education and Translation with the University of NSW.  Fortunately when I was doing my studies, I met the man who would become my husband.  We have since settled in Sydney and have a 2 year old daughter.

I joined Navitas in 2011 as a bilingual support officer and assisted students in the classrooms.  Now I work as a Pathways Advisor for Mission Australia and I am based at the Distance Learning office in Sydney.

I like my job because it allows me to help students. By giving students career advice I help them make informed choices with their career path in a new country. It's rewarding to know I make a difference.

As well as career guidance, I conduct initial and exit interviews with DL students. I also deal with student feedback and can help students with any personal issues.

This week I'll celebrate Chinese New Year by cooking a feast for my family. The Year of the Rooster is an important year in my family because it's the year my mother was born. l plan to make stir fry lobster with crispy noodles, rice cakes and other traditional dishes from South China. In China the celebrations are about visiting friends and family, but since I don't have a big family here we'll go to the city to experience the festive atmosphere.  I plan to visit the Chinese New Year Market and the Lantern Show in Sydney.

If you need any learning or career advice you can contact Jennifer on (02) 9707 0276.
Students referred by a Navitas college can contact the Pathways Advisor in their college.

We wish all our DL students prosperity and good fortune in the New Year.  新年快乐

• What traditions do you have for special celebrations in your culture?
• How are your celebrations different in Australia from in your home country?

Beach safety

Going to the beach is a popular pastime in Australia specially when the weather gets too hot over the summer months. The beach is a wonderful place but it also has some dangers.

On average, one person has drowned every week at an Australian beach for the last 5 years and on average 10 people are rescued every day. Tourists and those who are unfamiliar with the beach are at a greater risk of drowning.

Luckily not every incident results in a fatality, however those who survive a drowning incident often suffer from a range of lifelong health issues.

Statistics for 2016 show that 83% of drowning deaths were males. New South Wales recorded the highest number of incidents, followed by Queensland, Victoria then Western Australia.

Discuss these questions with your teacher and share you comments below:

1. Do you like going to the beach? Why / Why not?
2. What activities can people enjoy at the beach?
3. What kind of dangers are there at Australian beaches?
4. What are the causes of drowning?
5. How do you keep safe at the beach?
6. Have you had a scary incident in the water?

You can find more information by reading this beach safety flyer or watching this YouTube video.

Yanie meets her DL teacher in Jakarta

Teacher Ross and Yanie

My name is Yanie and I come from Indonesia.  I started my AMEP course at Maclean TAFE, north of NSW in February 2015 but I had to stop because my husband and I wanted to go on a short trip to visit some places in NSW. I didn't want to stop studying English so I found out about Distance Learning and started my lessons the same time we started our trip.

I have been studying with my teacher Ross since April 2015 and we have developed a special connection. Ross happened to have a special interest in Indonesia. He has Indonesian friends so he is familiar with the culture and has been to Indonesia many times. We both particularly like Indonesian culinary art and often chat about Indonesian food and lifestyle.

My husband and I moved to Toowoomba in Queensland and luckily I found a job. Despite being busy with work I have never missed a class. My teacher Ross has helped me improve my English and gain confidence.  It's been over a year since I met Ross over the Internet and I often wondered if I would ever get to meet him face to face.

One day Ross told me that he was planning a holiday to Indonesia. I was feeling a bit jealous because I had not gone back to my home country since coming to Australia and I was feeling homesick. When Ross returned and told me about his wonderful trip and all the nice food he had I was so tempted to go back.

I was finally able to take leave and my husband and I arranged to stop at Bali for a holiday then go to Jakarta to see my family. I told Ross that I would miss his classes while I was away. But one month before our departure Ross told me that he was also going to be in Indonesia by the time we were there which was a great surprise.

We arranged a time to catch up in Jakarta and I was so excited to meet Ross for real. We had lunch together and talked for hours. I couldn't believe that we finally got the chance to meet face to face and the timing was right for both of us to be in Indonesia.

As soon as I returned from my holiday I resumed my DL lessons. I am grateful that I have a teacher who not only teaches me good English but also has appreciation and respect for my culture. I hope we can meet again one day.

Thanks Yanie for sharing your interesting story and it's great to see your commitment to learning.

• What do you miss the most about your home country?
• How is meeting people over the Internet different from or similar to meeting them face to face?
• If you were to arrange a holiday, where would you like to go and why?

Note: If you are visiting Sydney you are welcome to visit our DL office and arrange to meet your teacher.  

Please share your comments below to Yani's story or to any of the discussion questions.  If you're not sure how to add a comment go the "Comments" tab of the top menu.

Aguer keeps positive

My name is Aguer and I’m from South Sudan. I come from a big family who are still living in my country. I’m married to a Sudanese man who has lived in Australia for 11 years and is a Mathematics and Science teacher.  I have been here for 10 months and I am already feeling very settled and happy. My English has improved a lot since I started in Distance Learning with my teacher Lisbeth who has given me so much help and support.

I was introduced to my husband through my family and after we got married in South Sudan I joined him in Australia. We now live in a small town in Queensland called Charters Towers, which was founded in the 1870s, when gold was discovered here.

When I was very young my life was not easy. Due to war and persecution my mother and I were forced to live in a refugee camp, called Kakuma, for 7 years. It was very difficult to live in the camp in very harsh conditions.  I’m however a very positive person and I like challenges.  I feel so blessed to be here in this great country where I can start a new life.  I’m determined to improve my English in DL and by volunteering in the community and eventually get a good job.

I’m so lucky because my Home Tutor, Bruna, works at the local Information Centre so this is how I became a volunteer there 2 days a week.  It's lovely working at the Centre because all the staff members are so helpful. I assist Bruna by giving information to tourists. I love meeting new people and I enjoy talking to them. 

I love volunteering because I believe it is important not just to focus on working to earn money but to give back to the community wherever possible.  There was an article in the local newspaper about volunteering and the theme was ‘Give Happy, Live Happy’ which celebrates that there is so much more to volunteering than simply giving your time and skills to help others, it’s a core part of the community.  What goes around comes around.

As for my future plans, I want to work with children and I am going to enrol in a Certificate 3 in Early Childhood and Care. After I complete this course I want to work in a childcare centre and then maybe be a nurse. I am not sure yet, but I know that I’ll work very hard at achieving my goals. My DL teacher, Lisbeth, told me that in Australia everyone can have a fair go!

I hope that one day when I am settled here in Australia and I have a good job, I can build a small school for children in my hometown in South Sudan. I love children and I want to help them get a better education, because I think education is the key to a better future and a better life.

Thanks Aguer for sharing your wonderful story.  We wish you all the best for your future.

• What kind of challenges migrants face before and after coming to Australia?
• What helps migrants overcome their challenges?
• Why is it important to give back to the community? What could this look like for you?
• If you had the opportunity to give back to your country of origin, what would you do?

Happy New Year for 2017

Hello everyone and welcome to 2017.  I hope you've enjoyed Christmas and had a wonderful break.

My name is Nadia. I am the Academic Manager of Distance Learning and the editor of the blog. I thought it was about time I introduced myself and shared a personal message with you.

I don't know what kind of year you had in 2016 but I know that as migrants trying to settle in a new country you must have faced many challenges and in fact not only you but the whole world is wishing for a happier new year.

Last year I came across an inspiring story about a woman who, like all of us, was looking for happiness. A wise nun advised her to take time out every day to reflect on the day and find something she was grateful for. Being a photographer she took a photo and wrote a little note every day of something she was grateful for. This turned out to be her 365grateful project that changed the way she viewed life and helped her be happy.

I took up the challenge in 2016 and even downloaded the app on my iPad. I took a photo every day and added a note about something I was thankful for.  Although admittedly I couldn't last the year, this exercise helped me develop a habit of gratitude and what a difference this made!

At the end of 2016 all the DL team just did that. We stopped, reflected on the year, and decorated our Christmas tree with our notes of gratitude.  Here are some of the things teachers were grateful for:

• The meaningful AMEP program that makes a difference. We all know it costs the government millions of dollars yet is offered free to new migrants
• You, the DL student, and for the rewarding experience of teaching you and seeing you learn, grow and achieve your goals
• The fantastic DL team of teachers who are extremely talented and caring, and I dare say fun to work with

I'd also like to add my gratitude for every student who showed commitment and worked hard to face the challenges of learning a new language. And what a beautiful peaceful country we live in where everyone is valued and respected for who they are.  I also want to thank the students who shared their inspiring stories of courage and determination on the blog in 2016.

There will always be one more word to learn, book to read, skill to master, dream to realise and challenge to conquer in 2017. But I hope you can stop and celebrate what you already have and what you've already achieved.

Having said all that I wish you a VERY HAPPY new year full of gratitude.

• What are 3 things in 2016 you are grateful for?
• What wishes do you have for 2017?
• What are your thoughts on the relationship between gratitude and happiness?

Note: Link to 365grateful story.