Guide to Queensland’s English language institutes (ELICOS)
studyqueensland.qld.edu.au
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Study Queensland: discover | experience | achieve
The people here are really friendly, open and easy-going. People here always seem to help other people. Truong Quang (Wings), Vietnam General English Southbank Institute of Technology
Why English?
Why Queensland, Australia? Queensland welcomes international students from more than 160 countries each year. With year-round perfect weather, a safe and culturally diverse society, high standard of living and relaxed outdoor lifestyle, it is easy to see why Queensland is one of Australia’s most attractive places to live, work and study. Queensland is where Australia shines.
Benefits of studying English in Queensland ■■
Quality-assured and accredited courses
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Qualified and experienced teachers
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English is your passport to a global career. English is spoken in more countries in the world than any other language and is the leading language on the Internet.
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Whether you want to study English to improve your job prospects in Australia or your own country, travel in Australia or another English speaking country, prepare for further study in Queensland or just for fun, the ability to communicate in English will broaden your horizons and open doors for you internationally.
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Wide range of general and specialised courses at beginner to advanced levels Flexible enrolment times and study programs ranging in length from one week to one year Diverse and welcoming English speaking environment World-class learning facilities featuring modern language and multimedia laboratories Affordable cost of living and vibrant student lifestyle Opportunity to meet and interact with students from all over the world
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Choice of metropolitan, tropical and rural study locations
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Exciting travel and leisure attractions
Studying English in Queensland will help you to achieve your career, academic and personal goals. Whatever your needs, Queensland can provide you with the quality English language teaching you want, when you want it.
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Studying English in Queensland
Queensland’s English language teaching is world-class. English language institutions You can choose to study English at one of Queensland’s private English language colleges, vocational education and training institutions, schools or universities in beautiful locations throughout the State. With flexible enrolment times and a range of study programs, our English language teaching institutions deliver high quality, innovative English language teaching tailored to your individual needs.
English language programs ■■
General English
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Academic English
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Business English / English for special purposes
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English exam preparation
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English for teaching
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Study tours
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Working holiday makers
Quality assurance When you study English in Queensland, you can be assured of quality. In Australia, English language teaching is closely regulated to ensure the highest standards of quality and consumer protection are maintained. There are strict standards for class sizes, professional teacher qualifications, curriculum, teaching methods and materials. The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 is the legal framework governing the responsibility of Australian education institutions towards international students. For more information visit www.aei.dest.gov.au/ESOS English Australia (EA) is the national association for accredited public and private English language providers and promotes quality English language training. For more information visit www.englishaustralia.com.au The National English Language Teaching (ELT) Accreditation Scheme (NEAS Australia) is the national accreditation and quality assurance body for English language teaching centres. For more information visit www.neas.org.au University English Centres Australia (UECA) is a network of 30 Australian universities offering English language courses for overseas students of the highest international standard. For more information visit www.ueca.edu.au
Guide to Queensland’s English language institutes (ELICOS)
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English language programs
There are several English language program options available to international students. All programs help build confidence in your English speaking and listening ability, prepare you for further English language or academic study in Queensland, introduce you to fellow students from around the world, and improve your job prospects. Here is a summary of English programs available in Queensland:
Prepare for an international English language exam at one of Queensland’s English language study institutions. You can choose to study towards one of the following exams: ■■
Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
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Cambridge FCE (First Certificate in English)
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IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
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TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
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TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication).
General English
English for teaching
Improve your overall English language proficiency and practise speaking English in an English language speaking environment.
Gain the skills you need to sit an international English language exam and teach English in your own country. Courses available include:
Academic English
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TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
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EFTC (English for Teaching Children).
Develop your English language listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to prepare for academic study at a school, university or vocational education and training institution in Queensland.
Business English/English for special purposes Improve your English language skills for business or a special purpose. This program will teach you the English you need for business or a particular industry (e.g. aviation, health, tourism and hospitality) and enable you to practise your English in “real-world” settings (e.g. emails, face to face meetings and presentations). You will also meet students with similar business/industry interests.
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English language exam preparation
Study tours Learn English in Queensland on a study tour tailored to meet your individual needs. Many English language study institutions in Queensland offer group study tours that combine general or specialised English language teaching with leisure and cultural activities or vocational training. Programs, ranging from one day to six weeks, are available for groups of all ages and can be designed according to your particular requirements. Study tour activities may include: ■■ ■■
homestays or farm stays with an Australian family trips to tourist destinations such as Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef, Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast theme parks
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visits to museums, art galleries, historical villages
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horse riding, golf, tennis, rock climbing, surfing
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shopping.
Guide to Queensland’s English language institutes (ELICOS)
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Working holiday makers
In Queensland, I met people from all around the world and practised my English with locals. Besides studying really hard, I worked and travelled around visiting new places. Julia Savi, Brazil Working holiday maker Cambridge First Certificate Bond University, Gold Coast
With Queensland’s leisure destinations among the most popular in Australia, it makes sense to start your working holiday in Queensland. A working holiday visa allows you to combine study, work and travel in Australia. Education courses of up to 17 weeks can be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. An English language course will improve your job prospects in Queensland and is a great way to start your working holiday in Australia. Many of Queensland’s English language study institutions have developed programs and services specifically for working holiday makers such as general English courses combined with resume writing, job placement assistance and customer service training, designed to help you get work while in Queensland. Australia has working holiday visa arrangements with countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. For more information visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at www.immi.gov.au For more information about English language courses and study institutions in Queensland visit www.studyqueensland.qld.edu.au
Guide to Queensland’s English language institutes (ELICOS)
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About studying in Queensland
My class has students from many other countries and we’re all friends. Io Nema, Japan ELICOS, Kaplan International College, Cairns
Support services for international students Queensland’s education and training institutions offer a variety of support services to help international students adjust to life in Australia. These include airport reception, accommodation placement, orientation programs, social and recreational activities, welfare advice and counselling, and emergency and health services.
Accommodation options Lifestyle and environment Queensland is a safe and culturally diverse society with a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle. The political environment is stable and the economy is strong. Queensland offers both modern cosmopolitan cities and a stunning and diverse landscape that includes World Heritage areas, national parks, internationally renowned tourist attractions such as the Wet Tropics, Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island, and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Queensland’s comprehensive transport network and excellent motorway system enables students to explore Queensland’s tourist and leisure destinations with ease.
Your safety, health and wellbeing The safety of international students is of vital importance to Queensland’s Government and education institutions. Queensland is not only sunny, beautiful and diverse but also by world standards relatively safe. Queensland is a welcoming, multicultural society. International students are readily accepted by other students, and teaching staff are experienced in teaching students from a wide range of countries. For many international students, the friends they make while studying is one of the highlights of their Queensland study experience.
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There are many high quality and affordable accommodation options in Queensland including rental accommodation and “homestays”. Rental accommodation varies from studio and one-bedroom apartments, to large houses, which are often rented by a number of tenants living together as “housemates”. Sharing a house with other housemates is affordable and a good way to make friends. A homestay is a great way to experience life as part of a Queensland family, to learn about the culture and to improve your language skills. Homestay students are provided with their own room and most meals. Most English language colleges can help you find rental accommodation or arrange a homestay.
Working in Queensland The strong service industry and economy in Queensland offer opportunities for international students to work as well as study. Many students are allowed to work, although some visas have limited work rights. Student visa holders must study full-time while working holiday makers can study either part-time or full-time. For more information about visa requirements, visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at www.immi.gov.au
Guide to Queensland’s English language institutes (ELICOS)
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Study locations Cairns Townsville
Rockhampton
Sunshine Coast Toowoomba
Brisbane Gold Coast
Brisbane, or ‘Brissy’ as it is sometimes called, is the capital city of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia. Brisbane boasts the attractions and facilities of a large city yet is considerably more relaxed that its southern counterparts, Sydney and Melbourne. A modern city with an innovative and vibrant edge, Brisbane enjoys a subtropical climate that promotes a healthy, outdoor lifestyle. Cairns is a vibrant city located in the heart of Tropical North Queensland. Framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea, Cairns is within easy reach of the World-Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and the Outback. Gold Coast, sometimes referred to as the ‘coast with the most’, offers stunning beaches, a magnificent hinterland, abundance of action-packed activities along with first-class shopping, restaurants, cafes and bars. The Gold Coast is a melting pot of cultures with close to a quarter of its residents born overseas. This multicultural society provides a safe and accepting environment where people have an appreciation for various cultures and lifestyles. Rockhampton, or ‘Rocky’ as it is affectionately known, is located in Central Queensland. Built on the wealth of gold rushes and cattle empires, it is a city steeped in country charm. Weekly rodeos, long stretches of sunburnt country, beautiful forests, and sand and surf are all part of the Rocky experience.
Sunshine Coast offers a laid-back lifestyle in a small and safe environment. While it may be free of the hustle and bustle of the city, it is home to world-class restaurants, cafes and shops, an energetic nightlife, and wide range of sporting facilities. Thanks to its clear blue skies and endless kilometres of beautiful beaches, the Sunshine Coast is a favourite holiday destination for many. Toowoomba is Australia’s largest inland regional city and is the economic hub of the South West region of Queensland. A modern mountain city, Toowoomba is known as Queensland’s Garden City. It boasts beautiful heritage buildings, magnificent trees and more than 150 perfectly manicured parks and gardens. Townsville is Australia’s largest tropical beachside city with a safe, friendly and welcoming lifestyle. Surrounded by a rich hinterland of tropical rainforests and waterfalls, Townsville is located close to historic gold mining towns, the Outback, islands, and of course, the Great Barrier Reef. Mackay, Gladstone, Ipswich, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay also offer English language study opportunities for international students. For more information about Queensland’s study locations visit www.studyqueensland.qld.edu.au
Copyright: ©The State of Queensland 2011. Copyright protects this material. Enquiries should be addressed to crown.copyright@qld.gov.au Disclaimer: This publication has been prepared by the State of Queensland as an information only source. The State of Queensland makes no statements, representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and you and all other persons should not rely on, any information contained in this publication. Any reference to any specific organisation, product or service does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by the State of Queensland. The State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you might incur as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason.
Guide to Queensland’s English language institutes (ELICOS)
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Queensland Education and Training International Trade and Investment Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Tel +61 7 3224 4134 Fax +61 7 3227 8195
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