English Courses

Whether your goal is to improve your English skills or to study something else, it is a good idea to do an English course first. Good language skills will enable you to adapt quickly to the Australian lifestyle and to get a better job. On completion of the English course you can enrol in one of the exam preparation courses such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge. It also makes it easier to transfer to a university course.

How much do I have to pay for the English course?

The fees for the English language courses vary greatly (from $180 to $420 per week) and depend on the following:

the school
the level of English (Beginner to Upper-Intermediate)
the type of English course (e.g., General English or Exam Preparation)

If you want to study English full time in Australia, you have to apply for an ELICOS (English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students) Student Visa (subclass 500)

Why do I need to learn English in Australia?

General English courses can help you:

develop your reading, listening, writing and speaking skills;
become a more fluent speaker of English;
expand your vocabulary;
improve your use of grammar;
improve your pronunciation;
learn communication strategies and conversational skills.

General information

Before starting the English language course, international students are required to do a placement test so they can be assigned to the class appropriate for their level. The courses last from one week to 12 months and you can choose the length of your studies. Classes are held 4 to 5 days a week which makes up to 20-25 weekly hours. In most English schools there is a choice of morning, afternoon and evening classes.

Are you wondering what your current level of English is?

Test your English level for free and you will get your results within 72 hours.

GENERAL ENGLISH COURSES

General English courses are designed to improve your English language skills. It takes approximately 12 weeks to move up a level.

BEGINNERS & ELEMENTARY ( A1 & A2 )

If you are at a Beginner or Elementary level it means that you can communicate in everyday life situations using basic vocabulary and colloquial phrases.

What linguistic competences distinguish people using English at A1 and A2 levels?

Understands and very often uses basic phrases as well as basic expressions related to everyday life
Can communicate on familiar topics in everyday situations
Can introduce themselves and others
Can ask and answer questions relating to personal information, place of residence, possessions and other people
Can hold a simple conversation, provided that the other person speaks slowly, clearly and is willing to cooperate

PRE-INTERMEDIATE & INTERMEDIATE ( B1 & B2 )

If you are at a Pre-intermediate or Intermediate ( B1 & B2 ) level of English, you can easily communicate with the native speakers.

What linguistic competences distinguish people using English at B1 and B2 levels?

Understand the main message of simple texts on familiar topics, including work, education or leisure
Understand the importance of the main threads contained in complex statements on specific and abstract topics, including substantive discussions in the field of their specialisation
Can cope in most situations arising when traveling to places where English is spoken
Can create simple and coherent texts on topics known or falling within their own area of interest
Are able to communicate fluently and spontaneously to conduct a conversation with a native speaker, without any special effort of either party
Are able to formulate clear, detailed statements while explaining their point of view on a given topic and considering the advantages and disadvantages of different options.

UPPER-INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED ( C1 & C2 )

If you are at an Upper-Intermediate or Advanced ( C1 & C2 ) level of English, you are fluent in a foreign language and you are capable of performing complex work and study tasks.

What language competencies distinguish people using English at C1 and C2 levels?

Understand a wide range of more demanding, longer statements and see their hidden meaning
Can express themselves fluently, spontaneously and effortlessly
Can freely use a foreign language among friends, during studies or at work.
Can formulate clear, well-structured and detailed statements on complex topics, while correctly using the patterns of the organisation of statements, hyphens and conjunctions.
Can summarise information and arguments from various written and oral sources, consistently and logically conveying their content.