The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at Salisbury TAFE provides free English tuition to eligible migrants and refugees, equipping them with essential language and settlement skills. In addition to learning English, students gain valuable knowledge about Australian society and services, an important foundation for building their new lives. As part of this service, ECSA’s Education Program, led by Paula, has now introduced 35 students to the democratic process and the different levels of government.
Paula had been invited to lead this session on “how to vote,” ensuring that our new South Australians feel confident and prepared to participate in elections.
During the session, students learnt about the structure of Australia’s Parliament, different voting methods, and the step-by-step process of filling out a ballot paper. To put their knowledge into practice, they then participated in a hands-on mock election, reinforcing their understanding and helping them feel ready for real-world voting.
ECSA's Manager Communication and Engagement, Immacolata Bollella said after the visit, "Paula conveyed the message brilliantly, and the room was filled with engaged participants. This was an impressive educational session."
The educational session was met with enthusiasm, with students engaging in discussions and asking insightful questions about their rights and responsibilities as voters.
Salisbury Tafe's Adult Migrant English Program Lecturer, Susan Park, shared, "I have received a lot of positive feedback and I can tell the students have benefited a lot from your session."
By empowering new migrants and refugees with this knowledge, ECSA is helping to strengthen democratic participation and inclusion in the community.
Adult Migrant English Program Lecturer Puja Sachdeva added, "The first part of the session offered a clear and well-structured overview of democracy and the structures of Parliament, accompanied by practical guidance on enrolling to vote and the various voting methods available. The second part, which guided students through the polling booth experience and demonstrated how to complete a ballot paper, was particularly effective in making the process tangible and accessible."
An engaged classroom of future voters!
We look forward to further collaborations with the Salisbury TAFE team.
More information