What tools do you use to practice your language? I am using the tools to practice English which I got from my Tutor during our sessions, tools related to some English tests, for instance TOEFL.

Where did you hear about VLLC and how did VLLC help you achieve your goal? It was just a coincidence that I found VLLC online. I was searching for possibilities for language studies in Melbourne and saw an ad about VLLC  and emailed you. I received an email straight away and organised a chat over Skype.

What other languages would you like to learn? I would like to continue with English studies...... my long term aim is to learn Japanese. 

How effective was VLLC in helping you learn your new language? The studies at VLLC were highly effective, thanks to the individual one on one tutoring. I am very pleased about the opportunity I had to do this. 

I sent my highest gratitude to my Tutor and staff at VLLC and I am looking forward to continuing my studies through Skype.
​Hiie​

Why did you start to learn Chinese and how quickly did you get to your goal?
I started learning Chinese because my unicycle coach was Chinese and he didn't speak any English. So I quickly learnt some bare basics of counting to 20, if something I did was good, bad or average "马马虎虎“ in pinyin.... ma ma hu hu. If you say this to a Chinese person and follow up with the English of "horse horse tiger tiger" which is what the characters mean. They will laugh and tell you your Chinese is very good. 

​I graduated from the National Institute of Circus Art (NICA) in 2012 in Prahran, which is a 3 year bachelor degree in circus. I was cast as one of the main characters in ABC kids TV show Hoopla Doopla. Which was a co-production with ABC and China Central Television (CCTV). It was filmed in Beijing for 7 months and there were only ever 4 other native English speakers on set who were all older than me, so I would end up hanging out with the Chinese film crew, who would teach me the important things in any language, how to swear, how to order beer, how to order food, more swearing. By the end of the 7 months I had what I call "survival Chinese" I could order a bus ticket, I could order food but not being exactly sure what kind of chicken and noodle dish I had ordered, I could ask where the nearest toilet was and I knew when people were talking about me when they said "老外" Lao Wai (outsider). Then I would respond to them with a cheerful ni hao and tell them I was Australian which would lead into a conversation and usually some tea or beer.  

Since this first encounter with China, I was enraptured with the people and the culture. They were always so excited to speak to someone who was foreign and knew more than Ni Hao and Xie Xie. Even if I knew not much more. I continued to study it online, and I tried a couple of different Apps. I also returned to China for different Comedy or Clowning Festivals. Physical theatre is very big in China and Chinese audiences are very rowdy, like to laugh and if you are not careful you might get pinched on the bottom by some old 奶奶 nai nai (grandmother). And with each tour my Chinese would get a little bit better. The last time I was there I could hold basic conversations about politics and the environment etc. But I didn't know how to read or write characters. 

Then in 2020 when the first lockdown started and all my touring work evaporated in about a week. I decided to use the time to learn Chinese characters and begin studying Spanish. I asked a friend whose Chinese was really good and they recommended VLLC and I was hooked. I would use the slides to copy by writing out the characters with the pinyin under them so slowly I learnt to recognise the Chinese characters. I would hijack the Chinese class from my teacher Xiu Fang by elaborating about a topic we were discussing and keep running the conversation until I had ran out of vocabulary. Fast forward to 2022 I now have my intermediate certificate and can read and write text messages and maybe write by hand 50-70 characters. I am dying to go back to China to test out my new skills and vocabulary now. ​

I was checking in with a student yesterday and it reminded me what makes VLLC a success! Language really matters and bridges the gap in all walks of life. Amelia’s language journey started when she realised that 20% of her dialysis patients were of Greek heritage with minimal English.  Amelia saw a need of patients not understanding medical processes and decided to act on it. She received a scholarship from the hospital where she works to complete a Certificate II in Applied Language in Greek. She has seen so many positive impacts with patient confidence and staff interaction. Some of the Greek patients are even teaching the other staff members simple greetings and words as this has become quite an exciting activity for the whole unit. As VLLC programs are individually based, her tutorials are able to be adapted to real life, practical scenarios which she can use in her work place. She has learned Greek with VLLC to benefit her Greek dialysis patients and it has proven to be a life-changing success! Thanks for sharing Amelia!

April is Thai month at VLLC! You might wonder, why April? The answer is that April is the month of Songkran festival, which is the Thai New Year festival. The festival usually starts on 13rd of April every year. This usually continues for a week (or more!) depending on where you are; the middle parts of Thailand tend to finish later on around the 25th.  Many people know of Songkran as a water festival, where people come out of their homes to have water fights on the streets. We use containers (e.g. a garbage can and a bowl), to hurl water at people. This helps us to stay cool in the middle of April, when the weather is hottest, and most humid. Water fights also provide a good opportunity for family members to have fun as a family.  When I was a child, I remember sitting and waiting for my cousins to arrive on the first day of Songkran, and wishing Songkran could last forever! Those were the days…

Marhaba, my name is Yasmin and I am the Arabic tutor at VLLC Melbourne. After five years of celebrating Ramadan on my own in Australia, I was so excited to spend it this year with my family in Egypt. 

Every year millions of Muslims around the world refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan. Fasting brings Muslims closer to God and reminds them of those who are less fortunate.  It makes us very grateful for what we do have. By refraining from the worldly desires such as food and drink, Muslims develop and strengthen their powers of self-control and self-restraint so that they can then apply it to their everyday life to bring about self-improvement.

If you are planning to visit Egypt in the future make sure you come during the month of Ramadan so you can enjoy the special atmosphere it has in the country.  Shukran, Yasmin.

The Royal Palace was larger than any I have seen in Russia (would you believe it) and we went into the oldest restaurant in the world which was founded in 1725.  The history of the place (Botin Restaurant) is amazing and its specialty is whole suckling pigs (I have a photo but didn’t want to offend anyone!!). ​But what amazed me the most was all the shops with jambon – Jamón Ibérico is considered the finest ham in the world.​

I love what I do! I work with wonderful people from around the globe, and I get to travel regularly. Ok, not physically, but through my students. The only people I know who get to travel to so many different places without having to live out of a suitcase, are my colleagues.

Somewhat vicarious some might say – wouldn’t you rather go there yourself? Sometimes yes, but it is really special being able to share a student’s journey - from a little idea or dream, to starting their course and then going, it is lovely to be a part of it.

As many of you may know, one of our French students recently bought his one-way ticket to France. He is now settling in in the heart of Paris, and this week, resumes his French course via Skype.

In a few weeks another student will get married in Greece and for the first time, be able to have some simple conversations with her new extended family.
 
In addition, every day I get to hear my wonderful tutors share their language and culture with our students-helping the dream become a reality.

So keep dreaming, keep travelling-I’m there!
Melinda, VLLC Melbourne
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Learning French gave me an international opportunity.

Travelling and working overseas is something that many Australians plan to do during their lifetime. However, few realise just how much easier their journey could be with no language barrier to overcome. Sydney dancer, Kirsty, is an example of an ambitious young Australian who learned a second language through the Vocational Language Learning Centre before heading overseas.    

Kirsty equipped herself with a self assured fluency in French to back up her dancing talents before travelling to Paris for auditions with a ballet company in Bordeaux, France. "The positive and friendly atmosphere at VLLC helped me learn the language quickly and have fun doing it" she said. "They helped build my confidence and to absorb the French culture while learning the language. The VLLC fast track learning method was developed in Adelaide and is now considered one of the most effective in the world. It is based on neuro-linguistics and the ability of the subconscious mind to absorb a language in a relaxed atmosphere.  "I have set myself up for an international career." Kirsty says.