STEPS Group’s Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program and Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) participants across the country are using their literacy skills to enjoy student libraries.
In the Darwin town of Palmerston, a student library has been set up with books covering a range of topics and reading levels.
In Queensland’s Gympie region, our staff ventured out to their local op shops to promote the upcoming launch of the area’s own STEPS SEE program. They also got supplies for the classroom and their own future student library.
Mel Parenty, one of our SEE Program Trainers in Gympie, says the Program plans to have their first wave of participants help set up the student library as a hands-on learning project.
“Projects like this allow our participants to get involved in practical and engaging learning,” she said.
“The whole experience gives everyone involved a sense of achievement and fulfilment. It feels incredible to do something so valuable for the local community.”
Student libraries promote reading comprehension, fluency, and good reading habits for further development. They give our participants access to an inclusive space that fosters discussion, collaboration, learning, and healthy recreational activities.
Yvonne Coleman, Palmerston Business Manager for STEPS Group, says their student library is being used every day and helping participants develop a love of reading and learning.
“You’ll see someone enter the program with very little literacy skills and no real love for reading – only because they’ve never been given that opportunity and that space to learn to love it,” she said.
“Now, we have avid readers who have access to books at their reading level and they’re excited to pick up a book, dive into a new topic, or even commit to a series of novels. It’s so rewarding to create that space for them.”
The AMEP and SEE programs are designed to bring valuable, life-changing learning experiences to the people in our communities who may not have traditional access to these opportunities.
Through the STEPS SEE Program, participants develop their language, literacy and numeracy skills and improve their computer and digital skills to find work, prepare for new career opportunities, or get ready for further education. The program is funded by the Australian Government and is free for eligible participants.
Individuals enrolled in STEPS’ AMEP classes in Darwin learn the English language through practical learning opportunities to prepare for living, studying, and working in Australia. The program provides unlimited hours of free English lessons to eligible migrants, along with information on everyday Australian life, values, culture, laws, and more.
