Mum’s the word at Loganlea and Browns Plains TAFE which is seeing an innovative shift in its Adult Migrant English Program, by opening its doors to migrant and refugee mothers.
The program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, and supports new migrants and refugees in their settlement journey with up to 510 hours of free English classes.
For mothers who are breastfeeding or prefer to care for their young children at home, it can prove difficult to consistently attend classes on campus, a TAFE statement said.
To overcome this barrier, TAFE Queensland has launched a range of community and online English classes for mothers in the Logan area.
“We identified a need for classes that cater to mothers who are currently breastfeeding or prefer to provide care at home instead of childcare,” said AMEP Case Manager Melissa Noble.
“It’s easy for them to fall behind in their studies due to family responsibilities, and these tailored classes make learning English accessible and suitable to their lifestyle.”
In the Logan area, 31 women logged on from their homes to participate in online English classes.
The community-minded initiative has been embraced by students with open arms. The women praised the supportive environment, and breastfeeding mothers found the new delivery format more convenient while caring for their newborns.
“We structure sessions around different aspects of family daily life—such as health, housing, and shopping—and vital information and support services for mothers in Queensland,” AMEP Team Leader Anushka Weerackody said.
It’s a breath of fresh air for mothers navigating a new culture, new community, and new language.
Already, the new classes have seen students forge new social circles, gain confidence, and continue their English language development without disruption.
For more information about the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), visit tafeqld.edu.au/amep.
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