Childcare
AMEP Settlement Course
Free childcare for children under school age is available so you can attend AMEP classes during the day. Childcare is only for the time you attend class. If you stop class for any reason your free childcare will also stop.
All new AMEP students must complete an AMEP Settlement course which has information about Australian society, culture, laws, services and practices. This course is made up of 10 x 4 hour sessions. Topics include the Education system, Health system, Working in Australia, Housing and the Law. You will learn English to communicate in these situations in your AMEP English class.
Centrelink If you receive Centrelink payments, you will need to either look for work or attend the AMEP full time. Full- time is 20 hours per week. If you are attending the AMEP part time Centrelink may ask you to complete additional activities.
Your Learning Options There are many options for learning English in the AMEP. • Standard Classroom- based Courses • Distance Learning (DL) • Volunteer Tutor (VTP) • Skills Development Short Courses • A combination of the above. You can change the way you study English. You can also study the AMEP at another AMES location or at one of our partner locations.
Standard Classroom - based Course The most common way to learn English is in the classroom. Classes may be: • Full or part-time from Monday to Friday • In the morning, afternoon or evenings.
www.ames.net.au
Classes are held on weekends at some locations. English courses are held in many locations in country Victoria.
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The AMEP Settlement course uses 40 hours of your 510 hour entitlement.
Distance Learning You can study English at home through the Distance Learning Program. The Distance Learning program provides students with: • Teacher support by telephone, mail, email or visits • A range of free books and audio CDs at all levels • Access to learning materials and computers at AMES libraries • Access to the Virtual Independent Learning Centre. www.virtualilc.com.au Distance Learning uses 5 hours per week of your 510 hour entitlement.
Volunteer Tutor You can study English at home with a volunteer tutor if you cannot come to class or, if you attend class for 6 hours or less per week. Volunteer tutors are trained to help you with English. Volunteers are not paid. You are matched with a volunteer who lives near you. Your tutor will:
Standard courses run for approximately 10 weeks each (the school term).
• Meet you on a regular basis
No new students will start standard classes after the end of week 2. If you come after week 2 you can do a short course, distance learning or have a volunteer tutor until the next term starts.
• Share local community knowledge with you
If you can’t attend the standard course the Counsellor will help you select other learning options including distance learning, short courses or a volunteer tutor to work with you at home.
• Help you with learning English • Help you to understand the Australian way of life. Please be sure to be at home at the time arranged for a visit. Having a volunteer tutor does not use any hours of your 510 hour entitlement.