BALLARAT Neighbourhood Centre is improving the English language skills of intercultural residents while they learn to bake.<\/p>\n
Tutor, Lisa Dinning teaches the Baking and Language Skills class to a small number of students, creating all sorts of oven-baked dishes once a week during each term.<\/p>\n
\u201cFood is very cross-cultural, and there\u2019s a lot of other cultures that don\u2019t bake like we do in western countries,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe came up with this idea of combining learning some baking skills and the English that goes with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI cover things like the vocabulary associated with cooking, some recipe reading, and get them to write recipes, either from their own culture or something simple in English like making a piece of toast.\u201d<\/p>\n
The backgrounds of participants have been diverse, reflective of Ballarat\u2019s multicultural diversity and status as an International Intercultural City.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year we had some Chinese students, we\u2019ve had some ladies from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil, Philippines, Thailand, Togo and Nepal,\u201d Ms Dinning said.<\/p>\n
Jay Sukittaya migrated to Ballarat from Thailand during Christmas, 2013.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s grateful for BNC\u2019s support structures, aiding her to feel comfortable and confident in her new home city.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my country, I wasn\u2019t cooking because Thai cost of living is not expensive, but here, I need to learn to cook and do things by myself,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great place to come to when you\u2019re settling in Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of her favourite newly learned recipes from class include Anzac biscuits and honey joys.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know about Aussie traditions now,\u201d Ms Sukittaya laughed.<\/p>\n
Eya Amaglo, originally from Togo, has enjoyed dessert baking, and the company of those working with her in the class kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made a lemon slice which I really, really liked. Today, we made an apple crumble and chocolate pudding,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a very good teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n
When she arrived in Australia in May of 2008, Ms Amaglo didn\u2019t even know how to say \u2018hello.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything people said, I\u2019d say, yes,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t understand anything, but today, I\u2019m trying, and speaking a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both women are now looking ahead to join BNC\u2019s Cooking Up Jobs class, where cooking and employability skills combine, students develop their communication skills and gain insights into working in a commercial kitchen.<\/p>\n
Ms Sukittaya said people settling in the area should make the most of BNC\u2019s resources, and its relaxed and welcoming environment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I moved to Ballarat, I could communicate with my husband and his family, but when I went to the supermarket by myself, they couldn\u2019t understand me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very difficult. I wasn\u2019t confident and I was scared.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t know how to make friends or learn English, you can go to Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre first.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT Neighbourhood Centre is improving the English language skills of intercultural residents while they learn to bake. Tutor, Lisa Dinning teaches the Baking and Language Skills class to a small number of students, creating all sorts of oven-baked dishes once a week during each term. \u201cFood is very cross-cultural, and there\u2019s a lot of other […]<\/p>\n