DL Holiday Wish List!

All I wish for!

  Are you looking forward to the holidays?
 Wishing for something different this year?

 There's no need to stop learning English during December and
 January. We can make holiday learning your wish come true.

 Study a specialty English course with an experienced teacher. 
 Have one extra lesson each week for 4 weeks from the comfort 
 of your own home. You can choose one course from these 
 exciting topics.  


   Pronunciation

   Job seeking

   Preparing for IELTS

   Grammar (Beginners and Advanced)

   Preparing for driving tests

   Preparing for citizenship tests

   Pregnancy and child birth

   Customer service/retail

   News and current affairs

   Reading to children

 We are also offering for the first time during January:

Free online group conversation classes - For  Level 3 students. If you are a current or even  an ex-AMEP student, you are welcome to join one or more of these group classes. There's no need for a referral as no AMEP hours will be used for this course.

For more information ask your teacher or click here.

You can ask us a question in the comments box below.

White Ribbon Day - Speaking out

The global movement of the White Ribbon campaign was started by a group of men and boys to raise awareness about violence against women. The white ribbon is a symbol of men giving up their arms to say NO to domestic violence.

On 25th November, White Ribbon Day promotes healthy relationships, gender equality and women's safety. The campaign highlights the role men and boys play in preventing the violence.  Men are asking other men to stand up, speak out and act to say no to men's violence against their mothers, sisters, daughters and wives. Men and women across Australia are called to wear a white ribbon as a visual symbol of their commitment to this cause.

If you're a man and know, hear about or witness violence against a woman, what can you do?
Watch this video or click here for tips on what action you can take.

If you're a woman affected by domestic violence, what can you do?
Find help here in your state, find information in your language here or speak to one of our Pathways Advisers who can refer you to a local organisation that can assist you.  All information is confidential.

For more information about what domestic violence means, refer to the Factsheets.

Why not speak out by adding a comment on the blog?

Vera follows her heart

Paul & Vera visiting Moscow

Vera has moved across the globe to be with her husband. Paul and Vera met online about six years ago when she was living in Russia and he was in Australia.  When they were chatting online Vera would type in Russian and press the 'translate' button so Paul could read what she had written and vice versa. "We communicated every day for a year before I knew we could no longer be apart." she said.

Vera's English improved since starting to learn English in the AMEP both in the classroom and by Distance Learning with teacher Karen. Vera was an economics teacher in Russia but is starting a new career in childcare and is determined to achieve her goal.  "Studying in the AMEP has helped me greatly with my English", Vera said.  "I really want a career working with children and my English must be up to standard to do so.  If you're smart and you keep working and keep trying you can do anything you want.  If I can do this at the age of 56, anyone can."

Vera's improved English will help her to complete her Diploma in Early Childhood Education.  She is gaining experience working with young children by teaching art and craft at the local public school.  When she completes her studies, Vera hopes to find work in a child care centre. "Aside from my husband, I haven't had the opportunity to practise my English by talking to a lot of people, so these courses have helped me very much," Vera said.

About communicating with her husband Vera said, "Communication has never been an issue with my husband and I; when we first met all we had to do was look into each other's eyes and we knew there was love.  A lot of people decide to move to Australia for a better life but I moved here for love and for happiness.  The heart wants what the heart wants, so follow your heart and never give up - that's my advice to anyone wanting to find happiness and take on a challenge.  Anything is possible."

Thanks Vera for sharing your story of love, hard work and determination.  We wish you all the best for your life in Australia.

• In what ways does Vera's story inspire you?
• What is the secret to good communication?
• What do you think of Vera's advice to "follow your heart"?
• What are your future goals? How do you overcome obstacles to achieving them?

Why not support Vera by adding a comment below!

You've got to be in it to win it!

Teacher Ross

Each year we celebrate Melbourne Cup day on the first Tuesday of November. They say it's the race that stops the nation. In fact in Victoria it is a public holiday.  Although those who live in other states are not as lucky we still like to join in and have a bit of fun.  

Last Tuesday most of our DL teachers turned up to work as usual, not thinking it was actually Melbourne Cup day, because this year it fell on the 1st day of November. But nothing could stop us from celebrating.  

The office sweep was very popular and staff members had a bet on one or more of the race horses. At 3 pm those of us who were not in the middle of teaching a DL lesson, gathered to watch the race together while enjoying some party snacks.  

Although we all wanted to win, most of us were not very hopeful. It seemed like Teacher Ross, however, was preparing for a win.  Not only that Ross placed the highest bet in the office on horses but he was the first teacher turning up to watch the race, seated and ready to win.

We don't know if the secret to winning was good planning, an optimistic attitude or sheer good luck but sure enough as the winning horse was announced Ross found out he'd won the first prize and he was happy.  His investment of $5 on 5 horses more than doubled and he was ready to go home with a big smile on his face. On his way out, Ross was stopped to be told he had also won the third prize.  This was indeed the race that stopped Ross.

Ross said, "I felt lucky as the horses I thought would win were not the ones who ended up winning.  It's always a surprise!"   With the money, Ross treated himself to a therapeutic massage from Louisa, the masseur who visits our DL office every Wednesday. Congratulations Ross!

• Have you ever won anything?
• What would you do if you won a million dollars?
• Do you believe in luck?  Do you believe that some people are just lucky? Why/why not?

Don't forget to share your answers or comments on the story below.

From telecom engineer to baker and back again!

Tien, DL student

Tien was a telecom engineer in Vietnam for 17 years.  When he first came to Australia it took him 4 months to get a job as a production operator in an electrical company.  He liked his job because he could work in his field and he already had a lot of knowledge about electrical products.

Tien spent 10 months working on a casual basis in this company but the work started to drop off.  So he decided to do something completely different. He and his brother started a bakery business!

Tien said that his brother had been a baker for 8 years but this was the first time he had owned a shop himself. Tien is excited about the new challenge as there are lots of things to learn such as which ingredients to mix, how to bake cakes and different types of bread.  Tien has even learnt how to make donuts!

Tien also has the opportunity in the shop to practise his listening and speaking skills when he talks with customers and is learning a lot of new vocabulary to do with setting up a business. His DL teacher, Meredith, helps Tien with his pronunciation and with the language he needs to communicate with the customers. She says that Tien's English has improved a lot and he can now understand most of what he hears and can keep a conversation going.

Tien is hoping that their business will grow quickly and that he will be able to become a baker by next year.  In the meantime, he has had good news from his old company.  They rang him about a month ago and asked him to start work there again, so now he has two jobs.  He works for his brother in the morning and then does a shift in the factory from 3-11 pm.  Let's hope he gets some sleep sometimes!

Congratulations to Tien for the progress he made both in improving his English and settling into Australia.  We wish him all the best for his business ventures.

• What are the benefits and challenges of having your own business?
• Would you prefer to have your own business or be an employee in a company? Why?
• Have you ever been involved in a family business and what was that like? 
• If you were to start your own business, what would it be and where would you get help?

We'd love to read your comments to any of the above questions or to Tien's story.

From the memoir of an ex-AMEP student

I was in my early twenties when I first came to live in Australia, now many years ago.  But I will never forget the awkwardness I always felt because of my broken English.  Not understanding what people said, wrongly answering questions, asking for repetition and feeling stupid because I still couldn't get it, laughing at jokes I didn't understand ... these were all embarrassing experiences.

I vividly remember many situations where I felt really awkward.  For example when I rang up to apply for a job and they asked me for my "phone number" to call me back.  All I could hear was "file number" which I insisted I didn't have!  Well, that was one job I wasn't meant to get!

On another occasion I was invited by an Australian family for "tea" around 6 pm at their home.  This is usually the time we have a cup of tea after dinner in the country I come from.  So I had dinner before I went to see them to find that they had a dinner meal prepared.  I was too embarrassed to tell them I'd already eaten so I pushed down my second dinner in order to be polite and let my stomach suffer for it.  I knew the hard way that 'tea' meant 'dinner' not a 'cup of tea' and that 6 pm is when people have their big meal in Australia.

Looking back, these were awkward moments at the time but I can laugh at them now.  You will too!

• Have you had an embarrassing situation because of your English?
• What is the hardest thing to understand?
• What do you do when you don't quite understand and how does this make you feel?
• Do you agree that laughing at yourself is a good way to deal with embarrassment?
• Are there any idioms or expressions that you learnt the hard way? 

Please share your thoughts here.

DL students find their wings

DL students have found their wings and taken flight after Adult Learners' Week lessons. Students worked with their teachers to choose a new skill to learn. Some learnt from You Tube videos, some read websites or books and others learnt from a friend. One thing in common is that students learnt informally. In the same way you can learn English too! You can watch a video, do website activities or learn from a friend.

There were so many exciting hobbies and skills learnt. From knitting, to applying make-up and even making a guinea pig hutch. You can see a slideshow of some of the Adult Learners' Week stories. Just click on this link: Find Your Wings Slideshow. Our Adult Learners' Week story was also shared on the Navitas website. Click on this link to read the article: Navitas Website.  This week we feature an interview with Silvia's student, Christiane, on her informal learning experience.

 

Decoupage

Have you learnt anything new lately?

Yes I've learnt how to make decoupage on a bottle. Decoupage means the art of decorating objects with paper cut-outs. It originated in France. You can do decoupage on wooden objects such as coffee tables, chests of drawers or jewelry boxes or glass bottles. All you need is creativity and imagination!

How did you learn to do decoupage?
It started after Adult Learners' Week when I visited my friend's place and I saw her knife block in the kitchen. It looked very pretty with flower decorations on it. So I asked her where she got it from. She said she had made it. So I asked her nicely if she could teach me and she said 'yes!'
How do you feel about learning a new skill?
I really enjoy learning something new. I think it keeps me occupied and most of the time I get carried away doing something new. I believe as humans we will always learn something new. It doesn't matter how old or young we are. Learning something new can be difficult as well, but if you can find an aspect that motivates you then you can never say no.

Well done to all the students who sent in a story of their learning experience. We hope you enjoyed this activity and now have some fresh ideas for learning.

• How do you learn English informally?
• What similarities do you notice between learning a new skill and learning English?
• What is the difference between learning in a classroom and learning informally?

How about writing your comments below.  Remember to sign into your Google account in the top right corner before you comment.