Volunteer tutors: Helping migrants settle into their new home

Are you interested in helping migrants become more independent, while helping them to settle into their new home? Becoming a volunteer tutor at TasTAFE might be of interest to you!

Under the Australian Government funded Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), TasTAFE teachers run English classes at its Campbell Street Campus.

Approximately 320 migrant learners attend the classes. Some would like an extra hour per week with a volunteer tutor to supplement their learning in class. There are also migrants who are unable to attend class for various reasons, such as caring responsibilities. The volunteer tutor scheme aims to fill the gap.

Around 80 volunteer tutors are currently assisting migrant learners under the scheme. As demand grows, TasTAFE is interested in hearing from people in the Hobart area, who would like to become a volunteer tutor.

Volunteer Tutor Scheme Administrator, Hiroko Kunimoto said:

“You don’t have to have a teaching background to be a volunteer tutor. Our tutor training covers all the information about the tutoring, and we also provide ongoing professional development.”

All AMEP volunteer tutors undertake approximately 15 hours of training. This includes 10 hours of self-paced online study and 3 face-to-face sessions at TasTAFE’s Campbell Street Campus. During the sessions, the course participants have opportunities to interact with existing learners.

After completing their training, volunteer tutors assist migrant learners on a one-on-one basis for around an hour each week. Tutors assist migrant learners to learn speaking, reading and writing English, as well as basic numeracy in some cases.

Most tutors see their learners at TasTAFE’s Campbell Street Campus at 2pm on a weekday, but some use other local libraries or visit learners’ homes on different days/times. Many of the migrant learners live in Hobart’s northern suburbs, but also in other locations around Hobart.

Val (pictured with migrant learner Fatemeh) became a volunteer tutor in 2023 and is currently assisting her second learner.

“It’s so great to see my students improve their English and gain confidence,” Val said. “And I learn a lot about their life and their family. It’s inspiring.”

Fatemeh arrived in Australia at the end of 2023.

“I love learning English but need help to practise it,” she said. “It’s great to study with Val.”

Fatemah also talked about her dream.

“In the future I want to become an English teacher, because I want to help other migrants.”

Hiroko said volunteer tutors played an integral role in the success of the scheme.

“Our tutors do a fantastic job, and I continually hear great stories of friendships and the progress that the students are making.”

The 15-hour tutor training course commences in February of each year. To register your interest in the next course, or if you have any further questions, contact Hiroko at TasTAFE.Home.Tutor.ELS@tafe.tas.edu.au

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. TasTAFE is an AMEP service provider in southern Tasmania.