Learning a new language is a challenge.
Learning a new language after moving to a new country with different traditions, customs and cultural norms can often require extra assistance.
Halifax Public Libraries is putting out an urgent call for volunteers who want to help ease that transition.
They offer conversation groups for newcomers at five library locations, with Halifax North Memorial Public Library being added as the sixth this fall.
But in order to do that, they’re going to need more help.
“Our Halifax North branch is really, really looking for volunteers right now,” said Heather MacKenzie, manager of diversity services for Halifax Public Libraries.
“Both for their one-on-one tutoring program and their conversation groups and also for folks who would like to help library staff with supervised programming for children.”
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MacKenzie said childcare is often a barrier for parents wishing to improve their English skills.
In order to make the program a success and help as many newcomers as possible, they’re looking for more people to volunteer in the coming weeks.
According to Halifax Public Libraries’ website they’re looking for people with:
- Great interpersonal and communication skills
- Knowledge about local culture and life
- Experience in tutoring/ESL an asset
- Experience in program planning an asset
- Commitment of three months
The program offers participants the opportunity to chat with longtime residents about current events, culture and other local topics, all with the goal of improving their language skills.
While Halifax Public Libraries has been offering language programs for decades, their conversation groups began after noticing an increasing need three years ago.
“We were hearing from the community, from organizations such as ISANS, from sponsor groups with new refugees, that this English language support was a real need for the people they were working with,” said MacKenzie.
They offer a selection of beginner, intermediate and advanced English language programs, but it goes deeper than just learning a language.
“It’s simple things like to be able to pronounce their name and to spell it. Their address, their telephone number,” said longtime Halifax Public Libraries volunteer Doug Rigby. “Then beyond that to know what 911 represents and when in an emergency what do they do, where do they shop, where can they get help on social things.”
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The groups also offer a valuable social aspect.
“It’s contacts and feeling that they’re welcomed and making connections with each other,” Rigby said. “At break time there’s a lot of good connections made between the students.”
Rigby says he would recommend volunteering to anyone who loves to help others.
“As a teacher you’ll learn a tremendous amount and you’ll have a lot of fun, too. It’s great to get to know new people and make them feel comfortable.”
The new group sessions are set to begin the first week of September.
Anyone interested in volunteering can visit the Halifax Public Libraries website or contact the participating libraries directly.
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