English language night classes to meet needs

English language night classes to meet community need

Aoraki Polytechnic has responded to a call from the community and is to set up English language night classes to help foreign nationals and ethnic groups in South Canterbury conduct business and go about their daily lives with a better understanding of our language.

The night classes will offer language lessons outside of work times and follow a request by Korean staff working at Sanfords fishing company in Timaru for help in breaking down a language barrier to make their day-to-day business dealings easier in this country.

The request has been warmly welcomed by Aoraki Polytechnic, which says roles in helping any section of the workforce over obstacles in any field bring opportunities for it to meet community needs in a positive and immediate manner.

Polytechnic international manager Felicity Macfarlane says the request from two Koreans at Sanfords, Moon Lee and Mr Choi was possibly “just the tip of an iceberg” that was pointing to a more widespread need.

She said there were many sections of the community that might need help with English as a second language and were not aware of how to access it.

“Apart from foreign fishing executives, we have a migration of farm staff from other countries moving to South Canterbury as a result of the dairy industry’s early June changeover day.

“Foreign staff working in South Canterbury industry such as Fonterra might also have a need.

“Then there are the ethnic groups already living here that might feel the need for language classes,” Ms Macfarlane said.

Classes are open to anyone holding a work, visitor or student visa at this stage, she said, and classes would be tailored to suit needs.

Korean dispatch executive at Sanfords Moon Lee, who oversees the arrival, unloading and restocking of 14 Korean trawlers, one calling at Timaru for three days every month, said he knew enough of the language to meet and greet people and share pleasantries and small-talk.

“I taught myself, but I need to learn more English to help me talk more effectively in business dealings and when working [between] the Korean crews and shore-based business.”

He said a colleague recommended Aoraki Polytechnic and “they came kindly”.

Ms Macfarlane said Aoraki was always conscious of its ability to respond to the business community in a timeframe that was useful and beneficial.

“Our programmes are designed around relevance and immediacy and it’s pleasing that we can also bring that philosophy to the international community in language assistance as well.”

She said classes would begin at the end of July two nights a week from 7pm until 8.30pm.

“Qualified English tutors will take the classes through lessons in groups of a maximum of 12 and provide interactive discussion exercises, role plays, grammatical accuracy, reading and writing as well as encourage the discussion groups to meet as often as possible through the week to build on the confidence they will develop through the classes,” she said.

The classes would be held at night to cater for as many people as possible and to complement the day classes already being offered.

“Understanding and speaking English clearly is important for our foreign workforce who might be taking verbal instructions in the use of potentially dangerous machinery and in complicated employment matters,” Ms Macfarlane said.

Employers were encouraged to identify anyone in their workforces who might benefit from the classes and inquiries from anyone were welcome, she said.

People interested in the English language night classes were welcome to contact Aoraki Polytechnic international department on 03 684 0835 or to call in and talk to one of the friendly staff about taking part.

ENDS