Home English Tutoring
Asylum Seekers are not eligible for the free English language teaching funded by the federal government. Some attend English classes held at the ASRC, but many need a tutor who can help them learn at home. This may be because they need to be at home for family or health reasons, because they are working difficult hours, or because they are in outer suburbs and can’t afford to travel to the city. The ASRC’s home tutors make a huge difference to these asylum seekers’ lives.
Volunteer - Robyn Gould
"I am so pleased to be involved in the Home English program! Working together, my learner and I have determined her language needs, acknowledged and consolidated the skills she already has and become friends in the process. I am one of the few people from the Australian mainstream that she has regular personal contact with and it is a delight to see her become more and more at home here, and a privilege to assist in that process."
Asylum seeker - Frank
"Without my Home English teacher, I think I would have no confidence to talk to anyone. Now I think: Frank, you can do it. Home English is not just from a book. We talk about society and life in Australia. It helps me feel stronger. Learning and education make you not give up."
What We Do
Home English Teaching provides one-to-one English support for asylum seekers, usually in their homes or sometimes in a library, for an hour each week. We have about 70 tutors, working with asylum seekers all over Melbourne. The tutors and the program coordinator are all volunteers.
Tutors plan teaching sessions to suit the needs and interests of the particular learner. They develop a good relationship with the learners and learn something about their culture. At the same time, we help asylum seekers learn about Australian customs.
We offer tutoring at all levels, from beginners to advanced. Most of our learners are adults but we also help some school students.
Volunteering as a tutor
We need volunteers who are able to travel, eg drive for 20–30 minutes to visit a learner. You don’t need previous experience, as training is provided. This is a fifteen-hour course that covers tutoring techniques, and understanding the situation facing adults who need to learn English. We are particularly looking for volunteers to tutor in Broadmeadows, other northern and western suburbs and Dandenong.
To find out more about tutoring, take a look at our ASRC Education Portal or contact Kylie at education@asrc.org.au.