‘Let’s Talk’ could really mean anything, but at 10am every Saturday at Werribee Church of Christ, it means the chance to improve your spoken English.
For the last decade, Bronwyn Hickman has spearheaded the initiative to help members of the community who don’t speak English as a first language better navigate everyday life.
“Sometimes people have lived here for years but perhaps haven’t had any formal training in English or the chance to meaningfully practise,” she said.
As Ms Hickman is an English teacher by trade, there will be some structured exercises, but the focus will be mainly on getting up to speed with language that can be used practically.
Acquiring the skills to confidently handle daily interactions like shopping, booking and attending doctor appointments are a way she said participants have benefited from ‘Let’s Talk.”
Many of her students are older members of the community who migrated to Australia to be close to or stay with their children, and language barriers can make it hard for them to establish a sense of independence in their new home.
“Those practical things like booking a doctor’s appointment we take for granted, but can be very difficult if you have just arrived,” she said.
“I have had the experience of going to a country where I didn’t know the language and knowing how hard it can be,” Ms Hickman said of a stint she spent in France.
Ms Hickman said the progress she has seen people make is encouraging.
‘I see people becoming more confident– sometimes they come in beaming and say ‘I opened an account at the library,” she said.
The program is open to everyone of all ages and abilities.
Jaidyn Kennedy
