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 coverage: Financial literacy helps disadvantaged youth

Moneymanagement.com.au, 6 May 2011 - Financial literacy helps disadvantaged youth

Improving financial literacy skills can help disadvantaged young people set goals and get on top of personal financial challenges, according to Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury.

ANZ’s MoneyMinded financial literacy program reached more than 125,000 people over the past six years through partner community organisations across Australia. An RMIT report into the program found that at-risk young people who received that education through Mission Australia saw vast improvements in attitudes towards money, Bradbury said at the paper’s launch last week.

“Many of the young people who received MoneyMinded financial literacy training through Mission Australia had very little income, high levels of debt and difficult personal circumstances,” he said.

“After participating in various Mission Australia programs, where these young people were taught basic financial literacy skills based on MoneyMinded, they began to set goals for their own future, set their own budgets and better understand where to go for help and information.”

The Government has also introduced a range of measures to boost Australians’ financial literacy, including launching the MoneySmart website, developed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Bradbury said.

The report also found that participants experienced a range of improvements around budgeting, spending less money on items such as take away food, cigarettes and illicit dugs. It also found that participants showed a greater understanding of shopping around for the best price, increased willingness to seek help in times of financial stress and improved saving and goal-setting behaviour.

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ABC Radio’s The World Today, 4 May 2011 - Making sense of dollars

The number of bankruptcies in the under-24 age group is increasing and disadvantaged young people are particularly vulnerable. However, the 2010 MoneyMinded Summary Report by RMIT University in partnership with Mission Australia and ANZ, has found that teaching young people how to manage money can turn that around.

Mission Australia's State Director for Victoria, Paul Bird, told The World Today that a lack of financial literacy is a major barrier to employment, especially amongst disadvantaged youth.

“It's as basic as being able to open a bank account, being able to pay bills and to be able to understand the use of credit cards, especially if a young person has come from a family that's never worked and they've never had their own accommodation,” he said.

Hear more about the year-long study into the impact financial literacy has on disadvantaged youth here: abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3207465.htm

Media Release: Financial skills help steer young people towards a positive future

Financial literacy education improves the financial understanding and behaviour of young people at risk, according to a national report released today by RMIT University, Mission Australia and ANZ.

The 2010 MoneyMinded Summary Report was launched in Melbourne today by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, the Hon David Bradbury MP, and ANZ Chief Executive Officer, Mike Smith.

Prepared by RMIT University, the report includes key findings from a year-long study of more than 300 participants in Mission Australia’s programs for young people at risk. The study investigates outcomes when MoneyMinded, Australia’s most widely used financial literacy program, was included.

Key findings in from the Mission Australia study were:

• Simplified financial education increased young peoples’ understanding and confidence in managing money and was important for their long-term wellbeing.
• Participants experienced a range of improvements with budgeting and reduced spending on items such as take away food, cigarettes or illicit drugs.
• Participants also showed greater understanding of the importance of shopping around for best price, increased willingness to seek help in times of financial stress, and improved saving and goal-setting behaviour.

Mission Australia CEO, Toby Hall, said that financial education played an important role in the various programs designed to transform the lives of young people at risk.

“The development of relevant financial skills empowered these young people to make positive choices that would significantly impact their adult lives,” Mr Hall said.

“It demonstrates financial literacy education changes the financial behaviour of youth at risk and plays a part in steering them towards a positive future.”

ANZ CEO Mike Smith said that MoneyMinded is a demonstration of ANZ’s commitment to building financial capability, particularly in vulnerable communities.

“This report demonstrates the impact that financial literacy programs such as MoneyMinded can have. Improving the ability of people to make financial decisions that contribute to their well-being is a long-term endeavour and we will continue to work with our community partners to do this,” Mr Smith said.

A copy of the 2010 MoneyMinded Summary report can be found here.

For media enquiries contact:
Katie Croft
Tel: 03 9866 4722 or 0413 780 545
Email: kcroft@bcg.com.au

Notes for Editors:

• MoneyMinded is Australia’s most widely-used adult financial education resources, developed to help financial counsellors and community educators build the financial skills, knowledge and confidence of participants. ANZ developed MoneyMinded in 2003 in consultation with government, community organisations and education experts, including ASIC and the Australian Financial Counselling and Credit Reform Association (AFCCRA). The review undertaken by RMIT assessed the overall reach and impact of MoneyMinded since 2005. Over 125,000 people have been reached with the program, which is designed to support vulnerable groups such as low-income earners, rural indigenous participants, people with mental and physical disabilities, high school students, prisoners, unemployed, youth at-risk, migrants, and sole parents.
• Almost 4000 facilitators, mainly community workers and financial counsellors, have been trained to use the program, with currently more than 2000 actively delivering the program across Australia. For more information see www.anz.com/moneyminded
• Mission Australia’s Youth Financial Literacy Program was delivered as part of a number of programs including Triple Care Farm, Links to Learning and Urban Renewal Landscape and Construction. The program was supported by ANZ and CPA Australia.  More information about Mission Australia services can be found at missionaustralia.com.au

This media release was issued by Mission Australia, RMIT and ANZ.

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.

Media Release: Make a difference to someone's life - become a volunteer English tutor

Mission Australia's Home Tutor Service (HTS) in Parramatta is crying out for volunteers to teach newly arrived refugees and migrants English language skills to help them settle more successfully in their new homeland.

Mission Australia's HTS is a volunteer-driven tutoring scheme which matches members of the community with migrants and refugees many of whom are house-bound because they're caring for infant children, family responsibilities or illness.

Volunteer tutors are provided with free training and support by Mission Australia. Lessons are one-on-one and held in the students' homes.

Mission Australia's HTS Team Leader, Mina Zolfaghari, said the service played a crucial role in helping new Australians settle successfully and contribute to their local communities.

"Not knowing our national language can be a huge barrier in settling into Australian life - imagine not being able to do simple things like make a doctors appointment for a sick child or buy a train ticket?

"You don't need to be bi-lingual - although if you are, particularly in Arabic, your skills will be put to good use. Just patience, a willingness to lend a hand and the ability to spare an hour per week is all that's required."

Sarah Cullen has been tutoring Manizha Zaki from Afghanistan for four years now.

"I have learned so much from Manizha and more than anything else, I have gained a wonderful friend," said Sarah.

"Watching her English skills develop has been inspirational. When I first met her, she could barely say 'hello' and 'goodbye,' let alone hold a conversation."

"Now, she can function in everyday life as well as any native Australian, speaking on the phone making appointments, using public transport, even applying for jobs. I feel so privileged to have been a part of that process."

"I work full-time but the commitment to HTS is only one to two hours per week and the time I spend with Manizha is well worth it."

Sarah has also gained from the cross-cultural exchange picking up some very practical knowledge including recipes for Afghani dishes like rice pudding and boulani.

The Home Tutor Scheme is always looking for volunteers in Blacktown, as well as the Parramatta, Merrylands, Auburn, Fairfield and Liverpool areas.

To become a volunteer, or for more information, please call 9635 1543.

Sarah and Manizha are available for interview and photo opportunity. For all enquiries please call Leanne Budd on 0457 505 342

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