A cut in the community education budget may force many migrants and refugees to learn how to survive in New Zealand the hard way. Rowena Orejana reports.
The small room is packed with people of all ages and nationalities.
They are seated shoulder to shoulder around a rectangular table facing one wall with a
large white board on it.
Across the top of the board, pictures with corresponding letters of the alphabet on them are posted.
Two small children play on the carpet. This class is not for them. It's for their mums and
the other adults in the room.
Esther Ho teaches English to these people who couldn't speak a word of it if their lives
depended on it. Sadly, their lives do depend on it.
"What we teach them is more than English. We teach them survival skills. The normal day-to-day stuff such as greeting other people, knowing what to say to the bus driver or using Eftpos,'' she says.
English Language Partners New Zealand, formerly ESOL Home Tutors, is the country's largest organisation working with migrants and refugees. It operates in 23 locations around the country.
In South Auckland, there are 36 classes. Many of them depend on Adult and Community Education funding from secondary schools. The Government's recently announced huge cut to the community education budget now jeopardises these classes.
Peter Gall, Auckland Secondary School Principals Association president, says it would be a shame if English programmes fall victim to the budget cut.
"It's absolutely essential. It's a stepping stone to getting better jobs and qualifications.''
Julia Castles, Auckland South manager for English Language Partners, is scrambling to keep funding for the group's students.
"We are giving our voice to those who can't speak for themselves. We'll do our very
best for them. But if our funding is cut, there won't be as much provision for people
in the community. At the moment, there's a big, big question,'' she says.
The group teaches students how to improve their communication skills. Before they
even think about looking for jobs, they have to learn how to live in this society.
"Sometimes, they get a letter from the Government, they'll be in panic mode.
"They think they must have done something wrong and will get fined or punished,'' says Ms Ho.
Another tutor, Karesse Angelo, says they also teach students to protect themselves
from scams. "They have to learn to say, 'No, I don't lend money'. They come to New
Zealand and they think all the people are friendly.
"We have to tell them not all are friendly or trustworthy,'' she says.
Without these classes, many migrants and refugees would be left on their own, stranded in their homes, says Ms Ho.
"Life would go on, but it would definitely be a very hard struggle.''
Survival classes may be axed
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