AMES tutors gathered at Footscray Library recently for a development workshop. Trainer Devorah Komesaroff provided ideas for lessons and resources, which will be used in English lessons with newly arrived migrants and refugees. Read more: http://leader.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/showarticle.aspx?&article=7efac338-6add-4b75-98b4-61c2918d76bf&viewmode=2&page=9

Primary school children from Middle-Eastern and Asian backgrounds are significantly more overweight than kids from English-speaking backgrounds and take part in less sport and physical activity, a new study has found. The findings, by University of Sydney researchers, are published…

For Iranian refugee Alizera Naroui, freedom was a welcome change when he and his family arrived in Australia, but to truly feel safe and competent the 18-year-old needs one more thing. With English as his second language, Mr Naroui has…

The Human Rights Commission hopes to inject more cultural competency into Australian businesses with a new online tool to assess how well they encourage diversity.  Read more: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/09/19/new-tool-measures-companies-diversity-efforts

ASYLUM seekers are seeing a whole new side of Melbourne after being given free bikes and training in maintenance and safety. About a dozen asylum seekers from Iran, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Ethiopia received bikes, helmets, lights and locks as part…

His family first came to Australia as political refugees early last century; and now Cowra Shire Councillor Ian Brown is helping to roll out the welcome mat for others who have had to leave their home country on humanitarian grounds.…

Music is increasingly playing an important role in education, social and health and wellbeing campaigns being delivered to children in the developing world. US-based charity The Global Fund for Children (GFC) has invested more than $30 million in small, agile,…

Refugees living in camps along the Thai border face a difficult and uncertain future because of the changing political face of the region, according to a former aid worker. Already rice rations have been cut in the camps and some…

Iranian asylum seeker Morteza Teimouri thought he would drown at sea days after boarding a dilapidated boat from Indonesia to Australia. The classical singer and flautist, who fled an oppressive regime in Iran, said he faced arrest if he pursued…

The Federal Government has flagged its intention to relax English language requirements for Australia’s skilled migration programs. In a speech delivered at National Press Club this week, the Minister for Immigration Scott Morrison suggested the English language requirement was used…

Migrant and refugee children should be exposed to more non-English-based subjects – such as art and sport – to help them to make friends, transition into school education and improve their wellbeing, according to a new study. Researchers at the…

Australia’s tough policies have not stopped Pakistan’s asylum seekers from making the journey in search of a new life. Read more: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/09/shrinking-asylum-space-pakistan-hazaras-201493104919129128.html