By Helena Adeloju
Each week a group of recent immigrants gathers at CatholicCare’s office in Pakenham to learn English in a conversational context.
Co-ordinator of the conversational English classes Sarah Heras knows firsthand what new migrants experience when they move to Australia and settle in Pakenham.
She was born in Afghanistan and worked with the United Nations before moving to Australia to escape the ravages of war.
Even though she knew English well, it took her some time to adjust her ear to the Australian accent.
“The classes really help those who are newly arrived by giving them a chance to practise their English and become more confident,” she said.
The conversational English program began in June 2016 and is now in its second year.
Massuda from Afghanistan recently began attending the classes and has noticed her own improvement immediately.
“The classes really help me solve every day problems,” she said.
“Now my English is becoming much better.”
The program also focusses on helping newly arrived immigrant to make friends and feel connected to the community.
Far from her homeland in Africa, Marie said the classes give her the opportunity to make friends with others who have come to Australia from other counties.
Volunteer teacher Tony O’Connell, who is retired with a teaching background, said it was incredibly inspiring to work with people from such diverse backgrounds.
“These are very courageous people,” he said.
“They have all been through a lot of very hard things and as adults they have to be brave enough to come to class and make mistakes.”
He said the friendly, happy atmosphere at CatholicCare is what gives the participants confidence.
“When they are learning the basics of forming sentences there is a lot of repetition,” he said.
“Within a month they are contributing to conversations, but we let each person go at their own pace.”
Conversational English is held every Friday at CatholicCare in Rogers Street, Pakenham, from 10am-2pm.
For more information call 1800 522 076 or email gippsland@ccam.org.au.
