But I didn’t have to worry. In my first class at Footscray AMES, most of the students were just like me. In the first week of class our teacher took us on an excursion to the Migrant Resource Centre or MRC. A Somali interpreter explained the services of the MRC and made an appointment for me with an MRC worker who helped me to find a flat.
Learning English was so difficult at first, but slowly I began to read and understand. We had two hours a week in the computer room and we used some very good computer programs to learn the alphabet and spelling. Our teacher also organised a special writing group once a week in the ILC with a volunteer tutor. I also borrowed books and cassettes from the library so that I could work at home. After two terms and a lot of hard work, I was ready for a Certificate 3 class. While I was in this class, I did two weeks work experience in a restaurant as part of the Practical Placement Program. I really enjoyed it. That’s when I decided that I’d like to become a professional chef.
I am now studying for a Certificate in Commercial Cookery at William Angliss College. I have finished my 510 hours at AMES. My writing in English is still not perfect but I can manage most of my work. One day I’ll work in a restaurant again – or maybe even start my own!
Exercise 1 - Comprehension.
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True
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False
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| Abdi left Somalia after the war began in 1991. | ||
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When he arrived in Australia, Abdi got a job at a food market. |
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He learnt to read and write English in Somalia. |
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He thought that he would have problems finding work in Australia. |
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His first class at AMES was a Certificate 3 class. |
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Abdi started in a class for students who couldn’t read or write English. |
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The Migrant Resource Centre helped Abdi to find a place to live. |
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In the computer room, Abdi learnt how to type business letters. |
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A volunteer tutor helped Abdi with his writing in the ILC. |
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Abdi is studying English at William Angliss College. |
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After he finished his 510 hours at AMES, he began to study for a Certificate in Commercial Cookery. |
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Abdi is working in a restaurant at the moment. |
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True |
False |
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Abdi left Somalia after the war began in 1991. |
£ |
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When he arrived in Australia, Abdi got a job at a food market. |
£ |
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He learnt to read and write English in Somalia. |
£ |
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He thought that he would have problems finding work in Australia. |
£ |
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His first class at AMES was a Certificate 3 class. |
£ |
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Abdi started in a class for students who couldn’t read or write English. |
£ |
|
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The Migrant Resource Centre helped Abdi to find a place to live. |
£ |
|
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In the computer room, Abdi learnt how to type business letters. |
£ |
|
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A volunteer tutor helped Abdi with his writing in the ILC. |
£ |
|
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Abdi is studying English at William Angliss College. |
£ |
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After he finished his 510 hours at AMES, he began to study for a Certificate in Commercial Cookery. |
£ |
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Abdi is working in a restaurant at the moment. |
£ |
Exercise 2 - Completing the sentences
Click on the arrow and choose the correct ending for each sentence
In Somalia, Abdi worked in the food markets.
When Abdi finished his reading and writing class, he started a Certificate 3 class.
Although Abdi could speak English well, he couldn’t read or write.
He thought that it would be difficult to learn English and find a job in Australia.
Abdi found a place to live with the help of the Migrant Resource Centre.
He didn’t know how to read English, so he started with some computer programs to learn the alphabet.
After he had completed his 510 hours at AMES, Abdi began a Certificate in Commercial Cookery at William Angliss College.