About 10 Minute English
This site operates as a social enterprise for the Rural Youth and Adult Literacy Trust (RYALT), to help fund its charitable work. For more information about this, see further down the page.
Talk to people like yourself
Do you feel like a nuisance
- because you are slow or use the wrong words?
- because people can’t understand you?
10 Minute English was started by an English teacher because her students often felt like this.
On this site you can talk to conversation buddies to get the practice you need – and you can relax. They know you are practising your English and they want to help.
The conversation buddies on this site are not English teachers – just everyday people.
They are volunteers who enjoy talking to people from other cultures and countries.
You can search for interests or employment or age to find someone who you would enjoy talking to.
Why we charge new English speakers
10 Minute English new English speakers will pay a small fee to have conversations with volunteers.
These fees will cover the cost of providing the platform and provide a revenue stream to support the work of RYALT.
Like many nonprofits, RYALT faces funding challenges
As the demand for our services grows, securing adequate funding has become crucial to continue providing support.
By offering 10 Minute English as a paid service RYALT can create an income stream to sustain our work and reach more students.
10 Minute English is for free to refugees and low-income immigrants
Please contact us by email if you want our help.
You must live in New Zealand, get a referral from a community worker and have a Community Services Card as evidence of need.
RYALT receives no government funding.
About the Rural Youth and Adult Literacy Trust (RYALT)
RYALT transforms the lives of vulnerable rural adults and teenagers by providing free reading and writing tuition to people living in New Zealand who missed out on these skills, usually in the New Zealand education system.
Many of our students have had difficult learning experiences in the past and often face challenges such as low self-esteem.
Established for Over 10 Years
RYALT started in 2011
11.8% of adults in New Zealand have very low literacy
For example, they have trouble spelling their address or their children’s names
22% of teenagers in New Zealand have very low literacy
They can’t do well at school because of this.
Their future is bleak
The adults are often unemployed. The teenagers will find it hard to get jobs when they leave school.
