Story tellers
Teaching children through stories and laughter
Language Linkers is a mother-daughter founded charity that offers online language lessons, educational support, and conversation sessions to refugees and asylum seekers all over the world. We deliver our lessons over various platforms, such as zoom, WhatsApp and even text message! This ensures that everyone can access our lessons and engage with the courses we offer. Accessibility is a key component of our mission, and online lessons allow the greatest outreach to refugees living in various time zones and circumstances.
Many of the in-person lessons available to refugees inside refugee camps are overcrowded, with up to 25 students per teacher. There is no time or resources to adapt the material to the individual. By allowing teachers and students to work together from their homes with a flexible schedule, we create an environment that is safe and personal. This makes learning faster and more enjoyable. Our one-to-one lessons can truly transform a refugee’s circumstances by opening doors to employment, education and offering hope and friendship.
We started this charity in June (2020) with a single student. To date we have over 160 teachers offering more than an accumulated 1000 hours of assistance per month. The number of existing students and those on a waiting lists amount to over 250. With your support we can continue to grow and meet the high demand for online language lessons. We live in a world of 80,000,000+ refugees, let’s work together to make their journeys as easy and joyous as they can be.
Many NGO’s offer emergency aid to refugees, providing essentials such as food, accommodation and hygiene products. Whilst this work is crucial for the survival of many refugees and asylum seekers, language is often overlooked. We believe that language can mean life for a displaced individual. The ability to communicate with those in your surroundings allows the opportunity to access education, employment, friendship and so much more! It is also an essential skill for refugees to discuss and defend their rights, make doctors appointments, and communicate their needs in highly stressful environments.
During the pandemic, many charities have had to withdraw their aid from refugee camps, meaning the usual access to language lessons ceased. It is necessary that refugees continue developing their language skills so that they can integrate into their host culture. Beyond language skills, our lessons offer a safe space where individuals can express themselves freely and are greeted with solidarity and support.
Here are some of the projects we have running
Teaching children through stories and laughter
Providing a safe space where women and children can disconnect
Using language to create friendships and tackle loneliness
Turning an interest into a group learning opportunity
Healing trauma through creativity
Creating a school away from school
What our teachers and students have to say about us
Together we can make a difference. When you support us, your donation directly reaches those who most need it. Thanks to you, our teachers can continue volunteering their skills and reaching refugees with their friendship and compassion. By supporting us, you create hope, trust, and solidarity for a refugee.
With language lessons you can make a refugee's journey a success story. When their world has been shattered, you can help them to become an integrated, independent, and integral member of a safer society. You can help them stand on their own two feet again.
We are open for collaborations with other NGOs working with displaced persons. We believe that by working together we can meet the diverse needs of refugees and asylum seekers. To date we have collaborated with Northern Lights Canada, Human Hive, Mandala Yoga project, and Musicians Without Borders.
Here’s what other organisations have to say about us:
“The lessons give structure and purpose to their days, as they endure the long wait to come to Canada. They therefore provide a huge morale boost to refugees who are stuck in various forms of detention and forbidden by law in countries like Indonesia from working or accessing formal education.”
“Language Linkers has a proven track record of supporting people going through the refugee experience to access quality, personalised language lessons.”
“Language Linkers provides targeted support for those in the most vulnerable conditions in Europe and beyond, both mentally and physically.”
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We understand that all too often life’s commitments get in the way of teachers being available to volunteer. We provide a convenient way of getting around this by offering completely online services. This means you can volunteer wherever you are and whenever you can!
To become a part of our team and volunteer as a language teacher with us or make enquiries please contact us at applications@languagelinkers.org. Don’t hesitate to get in touch, we are always happy to help!
Please note that teachers must be TEFL certified and have an up-to-date DBS check.