Migrants in Rotorua have the chance to expand their English skills thanks to a new eight-week course.
The Rotorua Multicultural Council is running a course in professional speaking after receiving funding from the Mokoia Community Association. The aim is to improve migrants' abilities to speak clearly and convincingly about theircareer, skills and experience in the workplace and during job interviews.
At the end of the course, participants will sit the Speech New Zealand Introductory Certificate in Professional Speaking.
To gain the certificate they will have to give a talk about a topic relevant to their career or community involvement, read aloud from a book, have a discussion with the examiner about work-related topics, give a social speech such as introducing a speaker or giving a vote of thanks and participate in role play.
The course is a collaboration between Rotorua business consultant Dr Margriet Theron, Rotorua District Council settlement support co-ordinator Heather McAllister, Judy Winiata of English Language Partners, Rotorua Multicultural Council president Alexis LewGor and Susana So of the Rotorua Newcomers Network.
Dr Theron, who is a trustee of Speech New Zealand and will teach the course, said there were migrants in the community who had good work skills and experience, but were being held back by their lack of professional and public speaking skills.
The course would give them the confidence to apply for jobs and volunteer for activities at their children's schools, she said.
