Your Guide to the AMEP Student Handbook
Funded by the Australian Government, Department of Immigration and Citizenship through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
Your Details Name: Student ID:
Your Site Details Site: Address:
Library Hours: AMEP Counsellor:
www.ames.net.au
Telephone Number:
1
January 2011 @ AMES - this document can only be reproduced with the permission of AMES
Welcome to AMES and the AMEP The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). You have up to 510 hours of English language support. The AMEP is for people with beginner and intermediate level English. You must start class within 3 months of enrolling and complete your hours within 5 years.
Course Dates Standard English courses run in school terms. Term dates for 2011 are: • Term 1 Friday 4th February – Friday 8th April • Term 2 Wednesday 27th April – Friday 1st July • Term 3 Monday 18th July – Friday 30th September • Term 4 Monday 10th October – Thursday 22nd December AMEP holidays are at the same time as school holidays for all standard courses. There are short courses offered at AMES sites if you want to study during the term break.
What you will learn You will learn English to use in everyday situations. You will also learn about Australian systems and services. You will have the opportunity to practise English in social situations. You can learn about how to find a job in Australia, employability skills and information about Australian workplace culture.
Levels At your interview your English language level for speaking, listening reading and writing is assessed and this helps to determine the class that is right for your current skills. Classes are offered at these Certificate levels: Certificate Level
Level of English
ISLPR Level
Pre CSWE
Beginner – pre literate
ISLPR 0
CSWE 1
Beginner – no or limited English
ISLPR 0
CSWE 2 CSWE 3
Post beginner – some basic English Intermediate – basic social English
ISLPR 1 ISLPR 1+
How you will learn In the classroom, activities can include individual exercises and group tasks. You will be given homework to complete outside class. The teacher will plan a program to continually develop and improve the English skills of the students in the class. There will be no new students joining the standard class after week 2 so you can make progress in your learning and get to know your teacher and the other students well. The class is a great opportunity to learn English to help you achieve your goals, to meet people and to develop friendships and learning networks.
Your AMEP Counsellor Your AMEP counsellor will work closely with you and your AMEP teachers. Your AMEP Counsellor will: • Discuss your goals for learning English • Help plan the best use of your 510 hours • Plan your next steps after you finish the AMEP • Assist with any learning or settlement issues you may have • Contact you if you are not attending classes If you are having any problems with the class, or with other settlement issues make an appointment with your AMEP counsellor.
January 2011 @ AMES - this document can only be reproduced with the permission of AMES
Your Guide to the AMEP Student Handbook
Your progress is measured by the things that you can do in English e.g. read simple instructions, participate in casual conversations, write a simple telephone message. All courses lead to the Certificates in Spoken and Written English (CSWE).
(Adult Migrant English Program)
2
Childcare
AMEP Settlement Course
Free childcare for children under school age is available so you can attend AMEP classes during the day. Childcare is only for the time you attend class. If you stop class for any reason your free childcare will also stop.
All new AMEP students must complete an AMEP Settlement course which has information about Australian society, culture, laws, services and practices. This course is made up of 10 x 4 hour sessions. Topics include the Education system, Health system, Working in Australia, Housing and the Law. You will learn English to communicate in these situations in your AMEP English class.
Centrelink If you receive Centrelink payments, you will need to either look for work or attend the AMEP full time. Full- time is 20 hours per week. If you are attending the AMEP part time Centrelink may ask you to complete additional activities.
Your Learning Options There are many options for learning English in the AMEP. • Standard Classroom- based Courses • Distance Learning (DL) • Volunteer Tutor (VTP) • Skills Development Short Courses • A combination of the above. You can change the way you study English. You can also study the AMEP at another AMES location or at one of our partner locations.
Standard Classroom - based Course The most common way to learn English is in the classroom. Classes may be: • Full or part-time from Monday to Friday • In the morning, afternoon or evenings.
www.ames.net.au
Classes are held on weekends at some locations. English courses are held in many locations in country Victoria.
3
The AMEP Settlement course uses 40 hours of your 510 hour entitlement.
Distance Learning You can study English at home through the Distance Learning Program. The Distance Learning program provides students with: • Teacher support by telephone, mail, email or visits • A range of free books and audio CDs at all levels • Access to learning materials and computers at AMES libraries • Access to the Virtual Independent Learning Centre. www.virtualilc.com.au Distance Learning uses 5 hours per week of your 510 hour entitlement.
Volunteer Tutor You can study English at home with a volunteer tutor if you cannot come to class or, if you attend class for 6 hours or less per week. Volunteer tutors are trained to help you with English. Volunteers are not paid. You are matched with a volunteer who lives near you. Your tutor will:
Standard courses run for approximately 10 weeks each (the school term).
• Meet you on a regular basis
No new students will start standard classes after the end of week 2. If you come after week 2 you can do a short course, distance learning or have a volunteer tutor until the next term starts.
• Share local community knowledge with you
If you can’t attend the standard course the Counsellor will help you select other learning options including distance learning, short courses or a volunteer tutor to work with you at home.
• Help you with learning English • Help you to understand the Australian way of life. Please be sure to be at home at the time arranged for a visit. Having a volunteer tutor does not use any hours of your 510 hour entitlement.
Short Courses
Finishing your AMEP
AMES sites will offer a number of short courses. These may focus on helping you develop a particular skill, for example pronunciation, grammar or resume writing, or they may provide general English lessons if you can’t attend a standard course. Topics will vary according to demand at each site.
When you are coming to the end of your AMEP entitlement your counsellor will help you work out your next steps. AMES provides a range of services and courses that help people who want to do further study or want a pathway to employment.
A combination of learning options Many students who come to part-time classes also enrol in Distance Learning and / or have a volunteer tutor to give them more English practice. Ask your AMEP Counsellor for more information on any of these learning options.
Attendance Attendance is very important in all standard classes, short courses and Settlement courses. You will make progress if you come every day. Wherever possible, make appointments outside class time so your progress in learning English is not interrupted. If you are away for more than two weeks (for any reason) during the term you cannot come back into the class until the next term. You may be offered distance learning, short courses or a volunteer tutor and recommence class again the following term. You must tell your teacher or counsellor the reason for absence. You may be withdrawn from class until the next term if you are frequently absent. You can only defer for one of these reasons: • Employment • Family commitment • Travel for more than 2 weeks. (This is generally only permitted once, since you are expected to schedule holidays outside term).
January 2011 @ AMES - this document can only be reproduced with the permission of AMES
Your Guide to the AMEP Student Handbook
• Illness
4
Grievance Procedure A grievance is a complaint about unfair treatment. What to do if you think you have been treated unfairly: 1. Talk to your teacher, counsellor, volunteer tutor or volunteer tutor coordinator about the complaint. They may be able to help you solve the complaint immediately. 2. If you are not satisfied, talk to the Manager at your site by asking to see them at reception.
4. If you are still not satisfied tell the Senior Manager that you want the AMEP Management Review Committee to consider it. 5. If the issue is still not resolved you can ask for it to be considered by the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship. 6. If you would like to refer your problem to an external body, contact the office of the Victorian Ombudsman on 9613 6222 or 1800 806 314.
3. If you are still not satisfied tell the Manager you want to talk to the Senior Manager at AMES. Phone 03 9938 4000.
Privacy Policy and Disclaimer Your personal information is confidential and information that is collected about you at an AMES interview is for the purposes of education, training and employment only. At your interview you were asked to sign a Client Consent form about this.
AMES staff make every attempt to provide you with the most accurate and up to date information. However information could change, so you should always check and research further opportunities yourself.
Finished your AMEP? AMES provides a range of services to assist you once you have completed your AMEP.
www.ames.net.au/international www.ames.net.au
AMES is committed to working with people from all backgrounds. All our service areas are experienced in working with people with limited English skills.
5
• The Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP) helps you gain practical life skills by improving your reading, writing and numeracy skills and can help you find employment. This program teaches you about the Australian workplace, life skills including writing resumes and managing money. • Vocational Courses – Our range of vocational courses will assist you to improve your workplace English and provide you with skills for the workplace.
• New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) – Courses and support to assist you establish and operate your own small business. • Employment Services – As part of the Commonwealth Government’s Job Services Australia, AMES Employment can assist you to find the right job. Speak to an AMES staff member about registering with AMES Employment. Talk to your AMEP Counsellor if you require more information on any of these services. You can also visit our website, www.ames.net.au
255 William Street, Melbourne 3000 Postal Address: GPO Box 4728, Melbourne Victoria 3001 Australia Telephone: + 613 9926 4666 Facsimile: + 613 9926 4019 Email: education@ames.net.au Website: www.ames.net.au English EDU126_0111