Kia ora neighbour – Race Relations Day

Creating a welcoming community

Race Relations Day, 21 March, is a time for New Zealanders to acknowledge the nation’s cultural diversity. ESOL Home Tutors is seizing the opportunity to highlight the benefits of this diversity.

Throughout New Zealand, ESOL Home Tutors’ centres are planning a myriad of activities. In addition to the informal ‘learn another language’ sessions* being run by ESOL Home Tutors (South Auckland), teaching expos for volunteers tutors, centre open days and other celebratory activities are planned. Local events will showcase the work of the nation-wide, community-based service.

With almost a quarter (22.9%: Census 2006) of New Zealand's population born overseas, this year’s theme “Welcome to the neighbourhood” recognises that harmonious race relations begin in local communities, just beyond the front door.

Volunteers for ESOL Home Tutors promote positive race relations on a daily basis. On a practical level, the home tutors help newcomers to improve their English language and to learn more about everyday life in New Zealand.

On a deeper level, the volunteers are engaged in work that helps create a society where everyone feels they belong and can contribute equally.

Volunteers are central to the home-based teaching programme offered by the organisation. The service trains people to teach English to adult refugees and migrants. The volunteers are then matched with learners from a wide range of language backgrounds.

The service also runs community English groups, where people meet other migrants, from friendships and build up confidence in spoken English. Getting people out into the community where they can make connections with others is one of the most important functions the groups perform. This is essential to the settlement process, helping people feel more at home in their new environment.

ESOL Home Tutors is looking for volunteers to train. visit www.esolht.org.nz for your closest centre.

* http://www.esolht.org.nz/centres/Auckland/RaceRelationsDaySth_Auck09Web.pdf

ESOL means English for Speakers of Other Languages.

ENDS

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