UCOL is proud to announce a partnership with Horowhenua College music and Spanish teacher, Fernando Figueroa, to provide English language lessons for Latin American former refugee and migrant families in the Horowhenua and Kāpiti rohe.
UCOL is proud to announce a partnership with Horowhenua College music and Spanish teacher, Fernando Figueroa, to provide English language lessons for Latin American former refugee and migrant families in the Horowhenua and Kāpiti rohe.
Taught by Figueroa after school at Horowhenua College as part of his post-graduate educational studies, he says the Intro to English course is part of a broader project he designed to support Latin American former refugee and migrant families within the community.
Figueroa says “Te Vaka Ahurea – Multicultural Education Campaign was designed to help build cultural bridges with manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, aroha, and genuine collaboration, so having the support from UCOL and Horowhenua College to run this course is another positive step in bridging this gap”.
He says UCOL and Horowhenua College have been key supporters of the project by providing the content and space to run the course during school term.
“UCOL have helped by providing educational resources and offering pathways for adult learners who wish to continue their English learning. This partnership also helps connect our community with future study and career opportunities.”
“Families taking part in the course have children at the College so learning in a setting they already visit regularly and know well has been greatly received.”
UCOL’s Kaiwhakahaere Horowhenua Campus, Yvonne Seng, says the course is another example of UCOL’s commitment to providing opportunities to deliver programmes where they are required within the community.
“There was a need in Horowhenua and Kāpiti for our refugee whānau to learn English, so we’re excited our course is able to come to where the students are. It helps break the barrier where adults with children often find it hard being on-campus to learn.”
She says although leaners aren’t on campus, UCOL is dedicated to supporting them with pastoral care.
“UCOL is able to provide support and guidance to help ākonga benefit from a positive learning experience.”
Figueroa says there has been consistently high attendance and participation since the course started this month, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Learners are appreciative of the opportunity to learn English and have expressed how empowered they feel having a location to learn in together in a way that respects and celebrates their identity. It provides them with a familiar, culturally safe space to learn in, and because they are able to bring their kids with them it takes away any stress of having to arrange childcare.”
Instead of a purely academic approach, Figueroa says he chose to run interactive sessions that combine the English language learning with project-based and culturally relevant activities.
“This further helps to strengthen family relationships, foster cultural pride, and create genuine connections between whānau, school, and the wider community.”
He says the English language initiative and his project aligns with his vision of celebrating diversity in Aotearoa, and all leads up to the cultural diversity festival Te Hui Ahurea Kanorau on 23 August at Kāpiti Performing Arts Centre in Paraparaumu.
“This means recognising and honouring tangata whenua as the mana whenua. From that deep respect, we can learn from the host culture while sharing our own identities as part of a living and reciprocal relationship under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
“The festival is a way to celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our region’s school communities, connects Horowhenua - Kāpiti Coast, and showcases music, food, dance and traditions from around the world in a welcoming celebration.