Leeton language group helping migrant women

Moving to a country where you don't speak the language can be a daunting experience. But a small NSW town is helping migrant women improve their English, and make a few friends along the way.

Leeton's New Friends and English Group is now into its fourth year. Source: SBS

It's lunchtime in the New South Wales town of Leeton, and the New Friends and English Group is holding its first meeting of 2016.

 

Many are migrants or refugees who've taken English courses at the local TAFE. But teacher Susie Rowe says a few hours of class every week only goes so far.

"When you're new to a community, it's very difficult to feel confident to go out into the street and go shopping, particularly if there's an English barrier," she explained. 

 

"So the main point of the group is to get women out of their homes, getting to know each other and learning English."

 

Mrs Rowe says casual, all-female meetings at local cafes have seen members learn and share more. Topics range from work and family life in Leeton, to what can only be described as "secret women's business".

 

Iryna Richardson, who moved to Leeton shortly after marrying an Australian in Ukraine, has been grappling with a few differences between English and "Australian English".

 

"I couldn't understand many slangs," she laughed. "They say you should close windows because "mozzies". And I say "what is it?" Maybe it's something terrible."

 

Members include women from Iran and Pakistan, or in Sughra Salmani's case, Afghanistan. Two years after her husband moved to Leeton, Sughra made the journey with their two children.

 

"He told me they don't have life like the Afghanis," she said. "(I) speak English language... not too well. I want to improve my English. Susie was my teacher and she introduced me to the group. Now I improve."

In 2014 the Refugee Council of Australia officially declared Leeton a Refugee Welcome Zone.

 

Leeton Mayor Paul Maytom said the weekly meetings are just one of several initiatives organised by the town to make those fleeing conflict zones feel welcome.

 

"We're just doing our best to be a family, or be with them as a family," he said. "Our business is all about friendship to show they're not just coming here to find work, but they're coming here to live in our town, to understand what we offer in our town."