English Classes to Ease Isolation

Access to free online English language classes for rural migrant women in New Zealand are being extended to help an isolated and vulnerable community.

Story written by Rural Life reporter Shawn McAvinue

Agri Teach Me co-founder and dairy farmer Lyzanne Du Plessis, of Otahuti (Southland), said the lessons were launched as a result of online dairy farming education provider Agri Teach Me asking online language programme provider Te Puna Reo Māori to help write a farming lessons for its curriculum.

"I expressed my concern about the need for online English lessons for immigrant wives of dairy farm workers because they are so isolated and can’t get into town for the English lessons."

Some Te Puna Reo Māori staff members worked remotely from the Philippines, she said.

"They are uniquely placed to use technology and their language teaching knowledge to bridge the gap for these migrant stay-at-home mums and their families."

Agri Teach Me and Te Puna Reo Māori collaborated to launch the lessons to support Filipino migrants.

A six-week pilot programme providing online English classes for Filipino women across New Zealand for an hour between Monday and Friday from 11am began on August 12.

"Participants have progressed to asking and answering basic questions in full sentences to each other. I’m truly amazed at their very quick progress."

Two free evening classes have been added to the programme.

Immigrating to a new country and adapting to the new culture, climate and language could be very overwhelming especially if they arrived at a busy time, such as calving, Mrs Du Plessis said.

"They need to function as almost solo parents during the busy months, taking care of the household and children while still adjusting to the new country."

Mrs Du Plessis said she was in a similar position when she moved to New Zealand more than 20 years ago.

"I was stuck at home with a 15-month-old while my husband was in the middle of calving, working long hours and I hardly saw him. What saved me was the fact that I could speak English fairly well, I could drive myself and I could go places and meet other rural mums."

The programme would reach migrant women who did not have the language skills or driver’s licences.

"They really are isolated and vulnerable."

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