More than half of Read Write Now (RWN) students come from an English as an Additional Language (EAL) background. Many have lived in Australia for over a decade but continue to seek support to develop their English skills.

Students often focus on improving fluency, conversational English, pronunciation, literacy, and extending their vocabulary to feel more confident in daily life. Others use tutoring to enhance employability—understanding workplace idioms, communicating more effectively with colleagues, or preparing for further studies at TAFE. Many also rely on RWN tutoring to prepare for or keep up with TAFE coursework, where strong English skills are essential.

Quite often, students say sessions with a Read Write Now volunteer are their main opportunity to practise English. Limited interactions at work, home, or in the community can slow progress, and learners may feel anxious about their accent, withdraw socially, and not fully participate in community life—making ongoing, one-to-one support especially valuable.

While many students have completed the Adult Migrant English Program on arrival, RWN offers ongoing, personalised tutoring tailored to each learner’s goals — no matter how long they have been in Australia. Through this support, Read Write Now helps adult learners continue developing the skills they need to fully participate in work, study, and community life.