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What is the Adult Migrant English Program?

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) provides free English tuition to eligible migrants and refugees to help them learn English language and settlement skills. 

AMEP is flexible so you can study at your own pace. You can choose from a range of learning options including studying in a classroom full-time or part-time, day or evening, distance learning or out of class with a tutor. 

You can also access free childcare while you are attending your AMEP class.

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What will I learn?

You will learn English language skills and information about Australian society and services. This includes settlement information to help you understand more about living in Australia and how you can be successful in your new country. You will meet other new arrivals and have the chance to make friends. Improving your English, understanding more about living in Australia and meeting new people will help you settle successfully and will also help you to find work when you are ready.

The AMEP students study the EAL framework which prepares adults learning English as an Additional Language for a range of educational and vocational pathways.

How will I learn?

AMEP lets you study in different ways and at your own pace.

You can:

  • Study in a classroom or at home via distance learning or with a tutor through the Volunteer Tutor Scheme
  • Study full-time or part-time
  • Study in the day or in the evening
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Pathways Guidance

From your first registration appointment until your final study hours, AMEP counsellors and teachers will offer pathways guidance to help you choose learning goals, understand your study options and to achieve your education and work goals.

You will meet with a counsellor when you first register in the AMEP and discuss how the program can help you meet your goals. You will also meet when your study hours are almost completed and the counsellor can help you consider your future options and what is best to do next.

AMEP English Language Tuition Entitlement

AMEP eligible people have a legislated entitlement to free English Language tuition. During your time at AMEP you will be studying one or more of the following qualifications depending on your level of English when you enter the program.

  • Course in Initial EAL
    Designed for pre-literate students many of whom arrive in Australia with severely interrupted education and little or no previous education or learning experiences. These pre arrival experiences may influence their ability to settle in Australia and apply the skills required to learn a new language. These learners need to develop an identity as a learner and establish learning routines. The course is intended to provide participants with the following education outcomes:
    • basic decoding and encoding skills
    • handwriting skills such as copying and hand-eye coordination
    • recognition of common high frequency function words and nouns to convey familiar personal information
    • conventions of an Australian classroom such as punctuality and attendance
  • Course in EAL
    Designed for EAL participants who have little prior educational experience or whose circumstances have resulted in disrupted education and who need to develop initial level basic English speaking, listening, reading and writing, numeracy and learning skills prior to accessing further English language education and possible employment. The course is intended to provide participants with the following education outcomes:
    • extremely familiar vocabulary for immediate needs
    • extremely simple grammatical structures (spoken and written)
    • written representations of sounds and words
    • numbers, time and dates related to time and location
  • Certificate I in EAL (Access)
    Focuses on the development of English language speaking, listening, reading and writing skills directly related to immediate personal and social needs and also includes the development of relevant social, settlement and numeracy skills and knowledge. The purpose of this qualification is preparation for participation in further English language study or vocational training which may include English language support or employment. The course is intended to provide participants with the following education outcomes:
    • features and conventions of short and simple written and spoken texts
    • simple writing conventions for example in short and simple messages and forms
    • simple text structures
    • simple grammatical structures
  • Certificate II in EAL (Access)
    Focuses on the development of simple English language speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for everyday communication and community participation to enable participants to move into further English language education or vocational training or a combination of both, or employment. The course is intended to provide participants with the following education outcomes:
    • responding to simple texts in different genres such as information and instructions
    • conventions of writing simple texts
    • features and conventions of simple written texts and conversations
    • simple text and grammatical structures
    • paralinguistic features to support communication
    • simple vocabulary for different purposes and contexts.
  • Certificate III in EAL (Access)
    Focus on the consolidation of English language speaking, listening, reading and writing skills so that participants can access a range of further education and/or vocational education options which may require some specialisation. The course is intended to provide participants with the following education outcomes:
    • responding to straightforward texts in different genres including informational, transactional and narrative texts
    • applying conventions and format to write straightforward texts
    • using features and conventions of straightforward written texts and conversations
    • using straightforward text and grammatical structures
    • using a range of paralinguistic features to support communication
  • 10728NAT Certificate II in Spoken and Written English (CSWE2)
    An intermediate level course for learners for whom English is an additional language. It begins to develop English language competencies of learning, reading, writing and oral communication from ACSF level 2, targeting newly arrived migrants and refugees who need English language skills to participate in a limited range of social, educational and vocational contexts.

  • 10729NAT Certificate III in Spoken and Written English (CSWE 3)
    An upper intermediate course for learners for whom English is an additional language.  It further develops social, educational and vocational goals and develop competencies in learning, reading, writing and oral communication from ACSF level 2 to 3, encouraging effective functioning within the Australian community.  It can prepare students for work and develop skills for further study.

Special AMEP sub-programs

AMEP also has additional programs to help eligible students with extra English language study hours or bridging into employment or further training.

SPP: Special Preparatory Program

If you came to Australia on a humanitarian visa, the SPP may give you extra study hours to help you with your English and settlement needs.

Settlement Language Pathways to Employment and Training Program (SLPET)

The SLPET Program provides eligible students with introductory training for a range of jobs and working environments.  It combines employment-targeted study and English language support with the aim of preparing students successfully for a work placement and to begin job-seeking.

Am I Eligible?

You may be eligible for the AMEP if you are a permanent resident of Australia or you hold an eligible temporary visa or did so on arrival.

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Free child care and creche

Our childcare team will help AMEP clients arrange a place for their child/children in one of the TAFE SA AMEP onsite creches available at the following campuses: Adelaide City, Regency, Elizabeth, Salisbury, Gilles Plains and Mt Gambier. In some cases, childcare is provided in off campus childcare centres. Several of our community-based class venues have on site creches.

All children with arranged childcare will experience a warm and welcoming care environment, which will be stimulating and support their growth and learning. This will also enhance the child’s overall development and support their settlement in Australia. .

Virtual Tour - AMEP Creche at Adelaide City Campus

How to register

Register for AMEP by visiting either the Adelaide, Salisbury, Noarlunga or Mount Gambier campus.

AMEP courses are delivered at all the following locations:

Adelaide City Campus
120 Currie Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 8226 6555

Elizabeth Campus
2 Woodford Road
Elizabeth SA 5112
Ph: 8207 9855

Gilles Plains Campus
33 Blacks Road,
Gilles Plains SA 5086
Phone: 8226 6555

Mount Gambier Campus
Wireless Road West
Mount Gambier SA 5290
Phone: 8417 0315

Murray Bridge Campus
Swanport Road
Murray Bridge SA 5253
Phone: 8207 3033

Noarlunga Campus
Ramsay Place
Noarlunga Centre SA 5168
Phone: 8207 3033

Regency Campus
137 Days Road
Regency Park SA 5010
Phone: 8226 6555

Salisbury Campus
16 Wiltshire Street
Salisbury SA 5108
Phone: 8207 9855

Whyalla Campus
141 Nicolson Avenue,
Whyalla Norrie SA 5608
Phone: 8648 8788

Off Campus Locations

Australian Migrant Resource Centre
28 Mary Street
Salisbury SA 5108
Phone: 8256 5700

Australian Migrant Resource Centre
23 Coglin Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 8217 9500

Cooinda Community Centre
254 Sturt Street
Sturt SA 5047
Phone: 8375 6703

Kilburn Community Centre
59 Gladstone Avenue
Kilburn SA 5084

Marion Uniting Church
9-11 Township Road
Marion SA 5043

Naracoorte Migrant Resource Centre
64 Smith Street
Naracoorte SA 5271
Phone: 8417 0315

Thebarton Senior College
40 Ashley Street
Torrensville SA 5031
Phone: 8159 3100

If you live more than 50 km from a TAFE SA Campus, please contact  8226 6555 for more information.

Alternatively, complete the Contact Us form.

Contact Us

 

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