Language program opening doors for new arrivals

Last night comedian Anh Do won the Australian Book Industry Awards for his memoir The Happiest Refugee, which dealt with his early challenges learning to speak and write English.

Do’s story had a happy ending, but thousands of people remain locked out of employment and community life because of poor literacy skills.

To help, Mission Australia runs a Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP) in more than 30 metro and rural locations. The program aims to help build students’ verbal and written English skills and in turn open doors to employment, study and community participation.

It also targets Australian-born clients who have had disrupted or minimal access to formal education and assists these clients with their reading, writing and numeracy.

Tom McKay, Mission Australia Operations Manager said that LLNP not only provides students with the opportunity to go on to further study and employment, but it also helps them to form friendships and connect with the wider community.

“If you are unable to communicate effectively there can be a feeling of isolation within the immediate community and stronger language skills empower people to be able to get out and be part of the community,” said Mr McKay.

For Muhammad and Maggie, two of Mission Australia’s LLNP students in Sydney’s inner west, the course has made a huge difference.

Muhammad (pictured with LLNP teacher Tina Zhang) enrolled in the program within a week of arriving in Australia. He is fluent in four other languages and moved to Australia from Cairo, Egypt.

Since completing more than half of the course, Muhammad’s written and oral English skills have increased dramatically. As a qualified engineer in Cairo, he hopes to gain employment in the same area once he finishes the LLNP program.

Muhammad added that he also enjoys the social aspect of the class and being able to talk to others in his situation. Having arrived in Australia alone, Muhammad is looking forward to meeting more people in his local area – and knows that strong English skills will unlock more social possibilities for him.

“I love coming to class so I can talk to others and practise my English. Our teacher is fantastic and always provides any extra help if needed”, he said.
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For Maggie, a mother of two from Hong Kong, the course has helped her build confidence to complete everyday practical tasks.

“Before I started the course, I found it very difficult to do simple things,” she said. “Now I can do things like take my son to the doctor or write a note to my son’s school.”

LLNP provides up to 800 hours of language, literacy and numeracy training. Courses are provided in 200 hour modules, with minimum attendance of 10 hours per week.

The initiative is a Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) program that is available to eligible jobseekers who want to increase skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing and maths.

The program is available through Mission Australia in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, with a new LLNP service recently beginning in Geraldton.

To find out more, visit the LLNP page or call 1300 676 937.

Media Release: North West community benefits from new Mission Australia office

One of Tasmania’s leading community services organisations, Mission Australia, is officially opening its new office in Burnie to assist those living in North West Tasmania. The new centre offers a variety of community programs including Family Support, Disability Support, Language, Literacy and Numeracy Programs, Integrated Family Support Services, Gateway Services and Local Area Coordinators.

Mission Australia State Director Noel Mundy said the new office wouldassist in providing much needed services for those living in the region.

“Mission Australia aims to work with communities across the State to assist in building resilience and equipping individuals to play an active role in their local community,” Mr Mundy said.

“The Gateway Service, run by Mission Australia under contract to the State Government, promotes the wellbeing and safety of Tasmanian children, young people and their families. “It also provides the North West community with a visible entry and referral point in the community for vulnerable families and other professionals to access family and disability support services.

“By contacting the Gateway Service people can receive high quality information, referral, and assistance by specialist services for individual or family support.

“Since July 2010 through to March 31 this year, 564 families have come through the Gateway Service seeking assistance and 555 individuals sought disability support services since July 2011.”

Mr Mundy said in addition, Mission Australia’s Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program provides training to increase skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing and maths. “The aim of this program is to help remove one of the major barriers to employment, assisting participants to pursue a positive and independent future.”

The new office will employ up to 10 staff and is located at 1/40 Cattley Street, Burnie.

For further information or to organise an interview: Lucinda Bray, Font Public Relations, 0438 280 486

Media coverage - The Border Mail: Literacy courses ‘a lifesaver’

Lacey Seears says Mission Australia’s language, literacy and numeracy courses turned her life around.

The Albury resident, 26, says she went from being unemployed and suffering depression to studying a Certificate III in Children’s Services at TAFE.

“My confidence increased and I was able to pursue what I really wanted to do, which was my childcare course, whereas before I just didn’t have the confidence to actually apply for it,” she said.

The Mission Australia program works with adults who have difficulty with reading, writing and maths, including early school leavers or those with a history of interrupted schooling, as well people for whom English is a second language.

Ms Seears finished high school in 2002 and started a diploma in hospitality and management which she didn’t finish.

“Trying to get work or anything after that was very hard because I had no training,” she said.

“But my spelling and grammar improved by actually getting back into a classroom-type setting, it just really helped.”

Ms Seears, who finishes her childcare course in August and hopes to gain employment in the childcare industry, encouraged anyone else experiencing difficulties to try the course for themselves.

For more information contact Mission Australia on (02) 6041 6055.

If you live outside of the Albury region and want to find out more about the LLNP program, call 1300 MPOWER (1300 676 937) or visit LLNP's webpage.

Photo: Mission Australia team leader Anne Lutton talks about the range of language, literacy and numeracy courses the organisation has on offer with other service providers from across the Border. Picture: John Russell. Picture and story courtesy of The Border Mail.

Language program opens doors to work, study and the community

Today is the Ides of March, immortalised by Shakespeare in Julius Caesar – but how many people who will hear or read the term today know that in Roman times “ides” simply referred to the 15th (or sometimes 13th) day of the month?

It’s a reminder of how complex and rich the English language is – and just how difficult it must be for non-native speakers to master.

Through its Language, Literacy and Numeracy Programs (LLNP), Mission Australia aims to help people for whom English is second language to build up their verbal and written English skills, and in turn open doors to employment, study and community participation.

Catering for a wide range of backgrounds and ages, Mission Australia delivers this program in 40 city and rural locations. In the Sydney metropolitan area, women make up 70 percent of the 400 LLNP students.

Mission Australia Operations Manager Tom McKay said that LLNP not only provided students with the opportunity to go on to further study and employment, but it also helped them to form friendships and connect with the wider community.

“If you are unable to communicate effectively there can be a feeling of isolation within the immediate community and stronger language skills empower people to be able to get out and be part of the community,” he said.

“Many women in particular find LLNP a fantastic place to forge strong friendships and increase their learning in a very supportive environment that respects and incorporates a plethora of cultures.”

Shakti Sah-Raj, Mission Australia’s Manager LLNP in Bankstown, said one of the great joys of her job is seeing students build self-esteem and gain friends through the classes.

“One of our students, A’idah*, is a Sudanese refugee who has made good friends through LLNP,” said Ms Sah-Raj. “During the recent unrest in Egypt, she was not sleeping or eating well as she was so worried about her daughter in Cairo. Nevertheless, she always made it to LLNP to learn English. By talking to her classmates and her teacher, she said she gained the great comfort and support.”

She added that another student from a Greek background has never missed a day, despite recently being diagnosed with cancer: “She really wants to learn English and is determined to come to school everyday until her operation, and then she’ll be back in class. She’s an inspiration to everyone.”

LLNP students also include Australian-born native English speakers who may missed out of educational opportunities early in life, to those who may not be able to read and write in their own native language and overseas university graduates needing help with their English.

“In today’s society all should have the opportunity to compete on a fair and equitable basis and without the necessary numeracy, literacy and language skills many people will continue to face disadvantage,” added Mr McKay.

LLNP is a Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations program that is available to eligible jobseekers who want to increase skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing and maths. The program is available through Mission Australia in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

To find out more visit the LLNP page on the MA website or call 1300 MPOWER (1300 676 937). 

*Name has been changed