21-05-2025
Meet the English teacher helping migrants and refugees begin their new life
Most of us take for granted the ability to fluently communicate with the people around us, but what if you were only recently arrived in Australia with little or no English skills? That's where TAFE NSW Tamworth English language teacher Bronwyn Cantrill steps in to help.
Briefly describe who you are and what you do?
I am from Tamworth, born and bred. I work as a teacher of English to migrants and refugees at TAFE NSW. I support students from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they work to improve their English, enabling them to better navigate our local community and prepare for employment.
What do you love about living in the New England North West?
I love the natural environment this area has to offer. We have four distinct seasons, so we can enjoy a cosy fire in the winter but escape the heat with a swim in the summer. The autumn trees give incredible colours to the landscape, and in late spring, Tamworth is washed with purple from the jacaranda trees. The wide-open space means I can always see hills on the horizon and the sky offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, not to mention the stars at night.
What inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by my students in our English language classroom at TAFE NSW. They come from all over the world, from Africa, South America and across many regions of Asia. Their journey and migration experience often involves separation from family, isolation, and the absence of things like familiar food and language. Their resilience, warmth and commitment to make new connections and create a new life is inspirational.
What is your greatest achievement?
I love being part of a team that excels in providing English language skills. We've worked hard at creating a program and classroom environment that results in our students learning English, as well as building friendships and learning about living and working in Australia. This means they develop a broad range of skills and choices for themselves and their families.
What do you wish was embraced more widely by our region's women?
One thing I have observed, through the life of a close friend, is a common experience particularly for women. She excels at work while providing foundational support to her family, sometimes at the cost of her own wellbeing.
There are pulls in my friend's time and energy, with ageing parents and caring for grandchildren while holding up a career. I would love there to be a recognition of the ways women pivot in their focus from work to family. And not just recognition, but support systems for women at this stage of their life.
What's something you're working on improving?
As a teacher, I am always on the look out for ideas and material to use in my English lessons. Learning a language can be so much fun and I love to design activities that are useful and engaging. I laugh when everyone looks up at the classroom clock and says, 'Oh, it's lunchtime already!?'
What's the best advice you've ever received?
"If you haven't worn it in 12 months, give it away." Unfortunately, I rarely follow this advice.
Regional NSW Recommendations
Best business: Peel Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Bourke Street, Tamworth.
Best place to eat: Le Pruneau on Bridge Street, Tamworth.
Best event to attend: Fiesta La Peel, Tamworth
Hidden gem: Quirindi for arts and crafts, silo art, and the Who'd a Thought It Lookout
Most of us take for granted the ability to fluently communicate with the people around us, but what if you were only recently arrived in Australia with little or no English skills? That's where TAFE NSW Tamworth English language teacher Bronwyn Cantrill steps in to help.
Briefly describe who you are and what you do?
I am from Tamworth, born and bred. I work as a teacher of English to migrants and refugees at TAFE NSW. I support students from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they work to improve their English, enabling them to better navigate our local community and prepare for employment.
What do you love about living in the New England North West?
I love the natural environment this area has to offer. We have four distinct seasons, so we can enjoy a cosy fire in the winter but escape the heat with a swim in the summer. The autumn trees give incredible colours to the landscape, and in late spring, Tamworth is washed with purple from the jacaranda trees. The wide-open space means I can always see hills on the horizon and the sky offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, not to mention the stars at night.
What inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by my students in our English language classroom at TAFE NSW. They come from all over the world, from Africa, South America and across many regions of Asia. Their journey and migration experience often involves separation from family, isolation, and the absence of things like familiar food and language. Their resilience, warmth and commitment to make new connections and create a new life is inspirational.
What is your greatest achievement?
I love being part of a team that excels in providing English language skills. We've worked hard at creating a program and classroom environment that results in our students learning English, as well as building friendships and learning about living and working in Australia. This means they develop a broad range of skills and choices for themselves and their families.
What do you wish was embraced more widely by our region's women?
One thing I have observed, through the life of a close friend, is a common experience particularly for women. She excels at work while providing foundational support to her family, sometimes at the cost of her own wellbeing.
There are pulls in my friend's time and energy, with ageing parents and caring for grandchildren while holding up a career. I would love there to be a recognition of the ways women pivot in their focus from work to family. And not just recognition, but support systems for women at this stage of their life.
What's something you're working on improving?
As a teacher, I am always on the look out for ideas and material to use in my English lessons. Learning a language can be so much fun and I love to design activities that are useful and engaging. I laugh when everyone looks up at the classroom clock and says, 'Oh, it's lunchtime already!?'
What's the best advice you've ever received?
"If you haven't worn it in 12 months, give it away." Unfortunately, I rarely follow this advice.
Regional NSW Recommendations
Best business: Peel Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Bourke Street, Tamworth.
Best place to eat: Le Pruneau on Bridge Street, Tamworth.
Best event to attend: Fiesta La Peel, Tamworth
Hidden gem: Quirindi for arts and crafts, silo art, and the Who'd a Thought It Lookout
Most of us take for granted the ability to fluently communicate with the people around us, but what if you were only recently arrived in Australia with little or no English skills? That's where TAFE NSW Tamworth English language teacher Bronwyn Cantrill steps in to help.
Briefly describe who you are and what you do?
I am from Tamworth, born and bred. I work as a teacher of English to migrants and refugees at TAFE NSW. I support students from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they work to improve their English, enabling them to better navigate our local community and prepare for employment.
What do you love about living in the New England North West?
I love the natural environment this area has to offer. We have four distinct seasons, so we can enjoy a cosy fire in the winter but escape the heat with a swim in the summer. The autumn trees give incredible colours to the landscape, and in late spring, Tamworth is washed with purple from the jacaranda trees. The wide-open space means I can always see hills on the horizon and the sky offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, not to mention the stars at night.
What inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by my students in our English language classroom at TAFE NSW. They come from all over the world, from Africa, South America and across many regions of Asia. Their journey and migration experience often involves separation from family, isolation, and the absence of things like familiar food and language. Their resilience, warmth and commitment to make new connections and create a new life is inspirational.
What is your greatest achievement?
I love being part of a team that excels in providing English language skills. We've worked hard at creating a program and classroom environment that results in our students learning English, as well as building friendships and learning about living and working in Australia. This means they develop a broad range of skills and choices for themselves and their families.
What do you wish was embraced more widely by our region's women?
One thing I have observed, through the life of a close friend, is a common experience particularly for women. She excels at work while providing foundational support to her family, sometimes at the cost of her own wellbeing.
There are pulls in my friend's time and energy, with ageing parents and caring for grandchildren while holding up a career. I would love there to be a recognition of the ways women pivot in their focus from work to family. And not just recognition, but support systems for women at this stage of their life.
What's something you're working on improving?
As a teacher, I am always on the look out for ideas and material to use in my English lessons. Learning a language can be so much fun and I love to design activities that are useful and engaging. I laugh when everyone looks up at the classroom clock and says, 'Oh, it's lunchtime already!?'
What's the best advice you've ever received?
"If you haven't worn it in 12 months, give it away." Unfortunately, I rarely follow this advice.
Regional NSW Recommendations
Best business: Peel Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Bourke Street, Tamworth.
Best place to eat: Le Pruneau on Bridge Street, Tamworth.
Best event to attend: Fiesta La Peel, Tamworth
Hidden gem: Quirindi for arts and crafts, silo art, and the Who'd a Thought It Lookout
Most of us take for granted the ability to fluently communicate with the people around us, but what if you were only recently arrived in Australia with little or no English skills? That's where TAFE NSW Tamworth English language teacher Bronwyn Cantrill steps in to help.
Briefly describe who you are and what you do?
I am from Tamworth, born and bred. I work as a teacher of English to migrants and refugees at TAFE NSW. I support students from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they work to improve their English, enabling them to better navigate our local community and prepare for employment.
What do you love about living in the New England North West?
I love the natural environment this area has to offer. We have four distinct seasons, so we can enjoy a cosy fire in the winter but escape the heat with a swim in the summer. The autumn trees give incredible colours to the landscape, and in late spring, Tamworth is washed with purple from the jacaranda trees. The wide-open space means I can always see hills on the horizon and the sky offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, not to mention the stars at night.
What inspires you?
I am constantly inspired by my students in our English language classroom at TAFE NSW. They come from all over the world, from Africa, South America and across many regions of Asia. Their journey and migration experience often involves separation from family, isolation, and the absence of things like familiar food and language. Their resilience, warmth and commitment to make new connections and create a new life is inspirational.
What is your greatest achievement?
I love being part of a team that excels in providing English language skills. We've worked hard at creating a program and classroom environment that results in our students learning English, as well as building friendships and learning about living and working in Australia. This means they develop a broad range of skills and choices for themselves and their families.
What do you wish was embraced more widely by our region's women?
One thing I have observed, through the life of a close friend, is a common experience particularly for women. She excels at work while providing foundational support to her family, sometimes at the cost of her own wellbeing.
There are pulls in my friend's time and energy, with ageing parents and caring for grandchildren while holding up a career. I would love there to be a recognition of the ways women pivot in their focus from work to family. And not just recognition, but support systems for women at this stage of their life.
What's something you're working on improving?
As a teacher, I am always on the look out for ideas and material to use in my English lessons. Learning a language can be so much fun and I love to design activities that are useful and engaging. I laugh when everyone looks up at the classroom clock and says, 'Oh, it's lunchtime already!?'
What's the best advice you've ever received?
"If you haven't worn it in 12 months, give it away." Unfortunately, I rarely follow this advice.
Regional NSW Recommendations
Best business: Peel Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Bourke Street, Tamworth.
Best place to eat: Le Pruneau on Bridge Street, Tamworth.
Best event to attend: Fiesta La Peel, Tamworth
Hidden gem: Quirindi for arts and crafts, silo art, and the Who'd a Thought It Lookout
