Strengthening English Skills for Work, Study, and Life
More than half of Read Write Now (RWN) students come from an English as an Additional Language (EAL) background. Many have lived in Australia for over a decade but continue to seek support to develop their English skills.
Students often focus on improving fluency, conversational English, pronunciation, literacy, and extending their vocabulary to feel more confident in daily life. Others use tutoring to enhance employability—understanding workplace idioms, communicating more effectively with colleagues, or preparing for further studies at TAFE. Many also rely on RWN tutoring to prepare for or keep up with TAFE coursework, where strong English skills are essential.
Quite often, students say sessions with a Read Write Now volunteer are their main opportunity to practise English. Limited interactions at work, home, or in the community can slow progress, and learners may feel anxious about their accent, withdraw socially, and not fully participate in community life—making ongoing, one-to-one support especially valuable.
While many students have completed the Adult Migrant English Program on arrival, RWN offers ongoing, personalised tutoring tailored to each learner’s goals — no matter how long they have been in Australia. Through this support, Read Write Now helps adult learners continue developing the skills they need to fully participate in work, study, and community life.
 | Student Story: One of RWN’s adult learners, originally from Indonesia,
has been in Australia for over 20 years. After initially studying with the
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), he spent most of his career in construction,
mainly in labouring roles. Though often encouraged to take on a supervisor
position, he didn’t feel confident because it required stronger writing and literacy skills. Now in his 50s and facing a shoulder injury, he’s preparing to transition into a new
industry. He also hopes to enjoy more reading in retirement but has noticed his
reading skills, particularly his memory, have declined. He has turned to RWN
for ongoing support to strengthen his literacy, build confidence, and develop
practical skills for this next stage of life. |
 | Adult Learners Week 2025: Celebrating Sabrin’s Journey
Sabrin Ramaban was proudly featured on the Adult Learners Week
website for her inspiring story of resilience and determination.
After adapting to life in Australia and learning a new language,
Sabrin connected with Read Write Now through her local library.
Balancing study with raising a young family, she has built confidence,
strengthened her literacy skills, and is preparing for future opportunities in
aged care and community support.
Discover more about Sabrin’s journey and achievements here |