Why
do immigrants require quality ESL classes?
1.
ESL classes help all immigrants improve their English.
As English is the main language of this society, it will
be most beneficial to both themselves and society if immigrants
have a level of English that gives them full access to society.
Language learning for immigrants for whom English is not
a first language is not the same as literacy learning for
those for whom English is a first language. Immigrants require
ESL
2.
ESL classes help immigrants to find work
Every country has different practices related to finding
work.. Different countries and language backgrounds
have different styles of written applications and
interviews have different functions. In ESL classes students
can learn what will be required of them when they apply
for jobs in Australia. Knowing the expectations of employers
will ease the difficult task of finding employment.
3.
ESL classes help students cope with native speakers.
Coping with native speakers is quite difficult. In ESL classes
students have the opportunity to gain familiarity with native
speaker speech and the strategies for coping with it. This
will be crucial if immigrants are to integrate easily into
society or the workplace. Both established and new residents
will feel more comfortable and avoid misunderstandings and
tension if there is good communication between them.
4.
ESL classes teach about the opportunities, rights and responsibilities
of living in Australia.
Each country has very specific laws, routines and customs.
ESL classes fulfill a very important role in alerting immigrants
to the specifics of Australian society in the role of the
police, harassment laws and workplace practices. These concepts
take much longer to become clear without guidance and instruction.
ESL classes are a proactive measure to ensure that immigrants
understand their rights and responsibilities.
5.
ESL classes provide an environment to teach about racial
tolerance and multiculturalism.
Some immigrants come from countries which are largely homogeneous,
or where there is not much political tolerance of difference.
For some immigrants the cultural diversity of Australia
is surprising. ESL classes provide a forum where issues
around tolerance and harmony can be faced and addressed.
6.
ESL classes provide immigrants with a chance to heal.
Moving to a new country is not an easy thing under any circumstances.
Immigrants may have come to Australia under particularly
distressing circumstances and have very real human emotions
with which to deal. In the safe environment of an ESL class,
teachers and counsellors can assist in the healing process
calling in outside bodies where necessary. This is beneficial
for Australia as prob1ems identified early help people to
settle, avoid social misconduct and contribute to the community.
7.
ESL classes contribute to the alleviation of poverty
Excluding immigrants from ESL classes increases their vulnerability
to unemployment and living in poverty. Not only are the
adults at risk but so are their children. Poverty amongst
immigrants will add to the strain on society already dealing
with a significant proportion of its citizens in poverty.
Providing English classes to increase the likelihood of
immigrants gaining employment is a simple and cost effective
solution to the problem.
9.
ESL classes contribute to the growth of the economy
ESL classes will ultimately assist immigrants’ ability to
find work, to have an income to buy goods and services,
to pay taxes and to live cohesively within the community.
Without ESL classes this may not occur The benefit to the
Government for funding ESL classes will far outweigh the
costs.
10.
ESL classes contribute to the alleviation of unemployment
With support for ESL classes, more teachers can be employed,
the very teachers who have lost their jobs due to the freeze
on refugee applications. This provides an opportunity for
the Federal Government to contribute to the alleviation
of unemployment.
11.
ESL classes demonstrate support for multiculturalism
Support for immigrants, who also happen to be of cultural
backgrounds other than Anglo-Celtic, offers the Federal
Government the opportunity to show in action that it has
completely divorced itself from One Nation-like policies.
12.
ESL classes demonstrate human rights in action
Australia has grown as a nation since the White Australia
Policy. It has understood, been signatory to and is proud
of its promotion of Human Rights. It has legislated equal
rights and anti-discrimination laws. Denying ESL classes
to immigrants is denying them access to society. This is
not consistent with Australia’s stance on Human Rights.
Providing ESL classes demonstrates that Australia values
human rights.
13.
ESL classes demonstrate support for social cohesion
The Australian government can take this opportunity to make
a strong statement about equality of opportunity and social
cohesion and to unite the community. It can provide a model
of compassion, showing that providing for all people is
valued, leading the way for other business groups in the
community to contribute to society.
14.
ESL classes demonstrate leadership and management
Leaving the states to meet the need for ESL classes risks
unequal treatment between states and regions. Federal budgeting
for ESL classes shows leadership in building social cohesion
and good economic management.
