TAFE NSW is at the forefront of helping migrants transition to life in Australia by helping migrants tune their English language skills through song.

The teaching technique of singing and sounding out phrases to music has seen a growth in class participation and improvement in language retention among students studying a Certificate II in Spoken and Written English at TAFE NSW Nepean, who come from a variety of language backgrounds including Chinese, Arabic, Nepali, Hindu, Spanish and Farsi.

As part of the new teaching technique by TAFE NSW teachers, students learn to sing the Australian anthem and a number of songs from traditional Australian artists where they are dually learning about Australian culture and history through music.

Former speech pathologist and TAFE NSW teacher Belinda Simpson said “Adapting singing into classes has significantly helped improve TAFE NSW students’ English fluency and pronunciation and, at the same time, has created an environment that makes students excited to learn the language.”

“Lyrics are a different type of text. From songs, students can learn new vocabulary, grammar and phonics as rhyme is often used in lyrics.”

As part of the class students also learn to read and interpret different texts like recipes, forms and reports and practice real life scenarios like buying something from the shops, asking for directions and socialising with others.

With almost 44 percent of people in Western Sydney speaking a language other than English at home[1], TAFE NSW offers a number of English classes in addition to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) funded by the Australian Government, which provides up to 510 hours of English classes for newly arrived migrants.

Western Sydney is playing a major role in the settlement of the current flow of migrants, ensuring the right services and supports are in place to help rebuild the lives of more than 13,750 refugees who settle in Australia each year as part of Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program.[2]

The Certificate II in Spoken and Written English is offered at 52 locations across NSW. To enrol or enquire about courses on offer at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.

For more information on the Adult Migrant English Program visit tafensw.edu.au/amep or call 1800 114 707

Media contact: Jessica Cortis, Media and Communications Business Partner, 0456 170 211.