Words do the work

HELPING migrant women overcome the frustration of the English language barrier has been the mission of Noble Park-based volunteer group Lady Talk.
Lady Talk has been awarded Greater Dandenong’s Community Event of the Year, and will collect the honour at this month’s Australia Day ceremony in Dandenong.
Lady Talk member Kaye Bull said the group was an initiative of the Intercross Christian Church ‘born out of a need to help non-English speaking women learn some simple English in a relaxed out-of-the-classroom experience’.
But Lady Talk is about more than breaking the language barrier, Ms Bull said, it is also about forming acceptance within the community.
“Lady Talk has a two-fold aim, to firstly communicate conversational English in a practical way and secondly, to create an environment of acceptance, security and belonging.”
Ms Bull said the group helped conquer the feeling of isolation and loneliness experienced by migrants.
She said some of the teachers had already received training through the AMES volunteer program in Noble Park.
“We have found the AMES team to be a wonderful encouragement and great support,” she said.
“The organisation has far reaching effects in migrant education and development.”