AMEP Volunteer Tutor Program

• Help vulnerable people and making a difference to their lives 
• Make our community a better place
• Get to know other cultures while helping students settle into their new life in Australia
• Give something back to the community or to make a difference to the people in their community
• Develop new skills or enhance existing knowledge and experience.

AMEP volunteer tutors are welcome to spend as much time with their student as they require. However, when volunteers join the program, they make a six-month commitment to meet with their student, for at least one hour per week.

AMEP Volunteer Tutor Program sessions are negotiated between the AMEP volunteer tutor and the student - with the flexibility to reschedule sessions when required.

As an AMEP volunteer tutor, you will receive comprehensive training, as no previous teaching experience is required.

NMTAFE AMEP volunteer tutors also receive:

• Free training via A Course in Volunteer English Language Tutoring, which includes tasks to develop cross-cultural awareness and tasks to assist students with their settlement needs
• Skills training for one-on-one tutoring
• Ongoing support from the AMEP Volunteer Tutor Program coordinator
• A term newsletter
• Access to our libraries 
• An opportunity to make a difference in someone's life.

At North Metropolitan TAFE we need help to support our migrant and humanitarian entrants in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) to learn English.  Volunteers can assist in the classroom, at a student's home or at an appropriate public space like a library. 

Volunteers receive training, ongoing support from our team as well as tutoring resources such as books, worksheets and flashcards. 

Assisting in the classroom 

Volunteers can assist by providing opportunities for extra conversation in small groups; a valuable way for newly arrived migrants to learn more about Australia and share their settlement experiences.  Volunteers can also help in classes where there are low literacy levels. The lecturer will plan the lesson and the volunteer can follow the lecturer’s directions to help individuals or groups. 

No immediate training is required for a volunteer to help in the classroom. This is because you are working under the instructions of a qualified lecturer.  The lecturer will be responsible for the planning and delivery of the lesson. 

Our classes are held at North Metropolitan TAFE campuses in Perth, Leederville, Balga, Ellenbrook, Midland and Joondalup. The majority of classes are held at Perth campus in Northbridge.  All classes in Perth are coded to help you in finding the correct rooms: 

• N is for North Block 
• E is for East Block 
• S is for South Block 
• W is for West Block 

The first digit in a classroom code stands for the floor level.  For example, room N325 means the room is in the North Block on level 3, room 25. 

All AMEP volunteers are welcome to help themselves to tea and coffee that are provided in the staff room. 

Home tutors and the AMEP Volunteer Tutor Scheme 

Every AMEP student can request to meet with a volunteer tutor. This is a volunteer who agrees to meet with the student for at least one hour a week.  The tutor can discuss with the student the best way for them to learn English and help them understand daily life in Australia. 

As a volunteer home tutor, you will be asked to go to a student's home or a public space like a library for one or two hours per week to help them improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing. 

Home tutors need to complete a compulsory online training before being matched with a student. Full resources and ongoing academic support is offered.  Students who study with a volunteer tutor do not follow a set national curriculum and are not assessed. 

Many of our volunteers go to a student’s home.  However, some meet eligible students on campus or in a local library or church.  Where and when you decide to meet with your student is up to you. 

Can I be a classroom volunteer and a home tutor? 

Yes!  Many of our volunteers choose to work in the classroom and have a home student.  This allows volunteers to observe professionals at work and then have a go at applying the skills themselves with their own student(s). 

There are no restrictions on how much work you do.  For example, you could assist in two classes of varying abilities as well as working with two separate home students.

Where will the training be and at what time? 

The majority of our training events are held at either Perth campus (Northbridge) or our Leederville campus. 

Both campuses are conveniently located within a short walk from the train station.  Perth campus is opposite a public underground car park and Leederville campus has street parking for a small fee. 

When do I need to do my training? 

Training sessions will be run twice a term.  You will be informed of training events via email and/or letter.  It is essential that you inform us if you plan to attend an event. Places are often limited and are allocated on a first- come, first- served basis. 

In the unlikely event that a training session will need to be cancelled, e.g. due to low numbers, staff sickness or other unforeseeable circumstances, we will contact and inform all those who have registered. 

What should I do if I cannot attend a training course? 

If you have enrolled in a particular session and you cannot attend, please let your home tutor coordinator or your home tutor support person know immediately.  

Can I fail the training? 

The training course is not examined in any way, so you cannot fail the course.  In order to receive the certificate of participation, you are simply required to attend and participate in the sessions. 

Will I receive a certificate? 

We can arrange for certificates of participation, recognition and completion to be sent to you. We can also write references to outline your work experience with us. 

Engage with the learner

Show them you are enthusiastic, encourage them and praise them all the time.  Rather than correct them, use language like ‘try again’, and ‘have another go’.

Always show patience and empathy so that you build great rapport with your student.