By Tanaka Nyamvura
Gleneagles Secondary College is opening the door to parents from culturally diverse backgrounds by running English classes once a week.
Held on Monday mornings, the classes at the college are part of a new partnership with the Narre Warren Learning Centre.
The main aim is to help parents navigate day to day life in Australia with a focus on conversational writing and reading techniques.
“Practising English in this program helps me to feel more confident when talking in daily life,” Mrs Akbhari, a parent at the school, said.
The parents also have the option to do other self-improvement activities such as computer literacy and social skills.
“Parents are learning to speak with their children’s teachers and are becoming more aware of the college’s processes and activities,“ Narre Community Learning Centre teacher Kai Ni Gu said.
“They’ve also become much more confident in their speaking abilities, and have developed teamwork skills, “she said.
Narre Community Learning Centre sees it as an opportunity for community outreach.
“Working with the staff at Gleneagles Secondary College to offer this program has been very beneficial for the parents,” literacy coordinator Clea Nicol said.
