Young volunteer helps migrants and refugees to learn English
At 27 years old Jan is one of Learning for Employment’s younger volunteer English tutors. Jan is a Volunteer Tutor as a part of the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP). AMEP is funded by the Department of Home Affairs to provide free English language classes and training to eligible migrants and refugees. The AMEP Volunteer Tutor Scheme helps people to learn the English they need to settle successfully in Australia.
Jan has both work and study in his life, and he manages to combine them with being a volunteer tutor. Jan lives in Hoppers Crossing and because his student is in Geelong, he tutors her online over Zoom. Jan also helps out with a community based conversation group that Learning for Employment runs in Point Cook. His students have nothing but praise for Jan and their regular attendance shows that they enjoy coming to his sessions.
Jan said he volunteers because he, ‘wanted experience in socially oriented work;
to have the chance to communicate with different kinds of people, and to hopefully assist them in their acculturation to this country.’ Jan is also interested in becoming an English teacher in the future, so volunteering is giving him some practical experience.
Jan explained that he, ‘enjoys the feeling when a student clearly grasps what is being taught. He also enjoys when they ask clarifying questions which show that they are paying attention and are really analysing the word or phrase at hand. He enjoys the students’ open and curious attitude.’
Jan also said that, ‘I would strongly recommend being a volunteer tutor to just about anyone. You don’t have to consider yourself a teacher but you may find yourself becoming one by taking on this role.’