COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The Community Development Program helps migrants, refugees, humanitarian entrants and longer term permanent residents and citizens born overseas with language classes, tutoring, information sessions, help finding employment and other settlement issues.

The Community Development Program is funded by the

Department of Disability,
Housing and Community Services

English for Living

Our English classes and conversation groups are now available from;

• Mondays to Fridays in Civic
• Mondays in Tuggeranong Southside Community Centre
• Wednesdays in Tuggeranong Southern Cross Club
  

The classes are friendly and informal, meeting the needs of both new arrivals who are waiting to enter studies elsewhere and others who have completed their studies and want to continue learning informally.

MARSS Singers

The Singing Group is an extension of the English for Living Program. Singing songs in English is an easy and enjoyable way to learn English. For further information please contact reception.

The Home Tutor Program

The Home Tutor Program matches volunteer tutors with migrants and refugees to Canberra who are unable to attend our regular English classes. The tutors help their students with English in their own homes. For further information please contact reception.

The Home Tutor Program is funded by

The Department of Education & Training

English Conversation, Communication and Social Classes

Conversation groups are held in both Civic and Tuggeranong. The groups practice conversation on an informal basis and it is often a useful way to put to practice what has been learned from other lessons. For further information please contact reception.  

Pronunciation Class

The Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT Inc. also holds regular pronunciation lessons in Civic. Migrants and refugees to Canberra often have difficulties being understood simply for their pronunciation. Students who wish to focus on improving their English pronunciation in particular may feel free to join this group. For further information please contact reception.

Job Preparation

The Job Preparation program helps migrants and refugees to prepare for employment including

- Access to training and finding employments
- Writing job applications
- Preparing and writing resumes
- Referrals to employers
- Preparing for interview
- Research skills

For further information please contact reception.

The Job Preparation Program is funded by

The Chief Minister’s Department of the ACT Government

Art & Craft Activities

The program provides an opportunity for all migrants and refugee women to meet with others of their age and take part in regular activities. For further information please contact reception.

Computer Classes

A lack of essential computer training can be a barrier to gaining information and employment. Computer training for members of new and emerging communities is being held in partnership with the MARSS and the Australian National University.

MARSS is offering training from its computer lab to the members to assist them to become proficient in their use of internet, email and Facebook.

The course runs for 12 weeks. The course is an ideal opportunity for migrants and refugees unfamiliar with the use of computers to learn the most basic and essential skills.

For further information please contact reception.

African Chef

The African Chef program is designed to assist African men with basic food preparation and cooking skills, as well as teaching important nutritional and budgeting skills.  The program has been popular and the participants have learnt a range of recipes from quiche to Indian curries.  The Australian Federal Police assisted in the program with AFP Multicultural Liaison Officer  Vaughan Cubitt hosting one session and teaching some traditional family recipes.  The program is wrapping up with a final class and celebration on 14 May 2010 in which we will be cooking up an ‘Aussie Barbeque’.

African Dance

Now offering African dance classes for young women from new and emerging communities
in Canberra. Styles include: traditional, contemporary, funk and more.
 
Classes are held on Fridays from 4 -5pm at the Theo Notaras multicultural centre, 2nd floor, north building, 180 London circuit, Canberra city.