FAQ
Who is STEW?
STEW (Students Teaching English to our World) is a Monash club aimed at empowering migrant and refugee adults, primarily through one-on-one English tuition. STEW liaises with AMES to provide training and police checks to volunteers and to match volunteers with students in their local areas.
Who is AMES?
AMES is the largest provider of English language and Settlement services in Victoria, in addition to being a major supplier of specialist employment and training services in Melbourne.
AMES successfully educates and services over 40,000 people every year providing an extensive range of adult education, training and employment programs to a diverse client community.
How do I become a member of STEW?
If you are interested in joining STEW, please email stew@monashclubs.org. To become a volunteer tutor it is compulsory to attend our Information Night (Semester 1 2011 held on Monday 28 February 5-6:30pm, Building 12, L4). There is a joining fee of $5, or free with an MSA card.
What times and days do I need to be available?
Session times are to be negotiated with the student. AMES or STEW can assist if there are language barriers.
How many hours do I need to commit?
A commitment of 1-2 hours per week plus time to prepare lessons is expected from the volunteer tutors.
How long am I expected to tutor for?
AMES requests that volunteers remain with their students for a minimum of 6 months.
Where will the sessions be held?
In the place of the student’s home OR in an AMES centre or community location
How are tutors and students matched?
AMES is responsible for matching volunteers and students based on previously stated preferences, location, time availability
What background do the students come from?
The students are all adults who come from diverse backgrounds and have varying levels of education and English language proficiency. The training will cover how to deal with different levels and general cultural awareness. Ongoing support is provided by STEW and AMES
Do I need to have any experience in teaching?
No formal qualifications are required. A six week training course will be provided to prepare tutors before sessions with the student begin.
Do I need to speak a second language/the language of my student?
Proficiency in a second language is not required.
Do I need to purchase any education materials?
A comprehensive manual and tutoring resources are provided at the initial training and at the free ongoing workshops. Volunteers are also taught skills in developing their own resources.
What training is required?
A six 2.5 hour sessions of training and ongoing workshops are provided free of charge and are compulsory for participation in the program
Will I receive accreditation for the training?
AMES provides an initial nationally accredited training course for volunteer tutors. The course offered is TAADEL403A Facilitate Individual Learning which is one of the units of TAA4010A Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
To complete Assessment Tasks to achieve the accredited outcome is optional. Assessment Tasks are fully explained during training and relate to work covered in training as well as some of the tutoring experience. Attendance at a 2-hour follow-up workshop is also required.
What happens if I miss a training session?
Volunteers are expected to attend all six training sessions. In extenuating circumstances a make-up session at another venue may be possible. Alternatively, you can wait until the next block of training sessions. Please check our schedule for training dates.
Where will training be held?
Training with STEW will be held on campus during semester at Monash University Clayton, however arrangements can be made for training at AMES centres if necessary
How do I know what to teach?
Training for tutors is provided and volunteers are taught skills for providing practical English language support, community information relevant to settlement issues and a general understanding of Australian culture. Volunteers prepare their own sessions and develop lesson plans with the involvement of their students
Do I need a car?
It is preferable that volunteers have access to a car, but can still apply without one.
Can I have more than one student?
Generally, tutors are matched with one student only, however some may be assigned to couples.
How else can I be involved with STEW if I don’t want to or can’t tutor?
If you are unable to commit to tutoring or the given training times but still want to support, this can be done simply through becoming a member of the STEW club. Training is conduct every semester so volunteers can sign up for tutoring later. STEW has also initiated a swimming program “Water Women” – contact STEW for expressions of interest.
I'm going on exchange or overseas halfway through the year and I have been tutoring my student for a few months already. What do I do?
Please contact STEW and your AMES co-ordinator immediately so we can make new tutoring arrangements for your student.
If you are still interested in continuing tutoring when you return please contact us.