English is a language that’s always handy to know, particularly if you’re planning to study in Australia. Many international students come to the country with a basic conversational grasp of the language. However, having the ability to speak fluent English opens new doors to you not just in Australia but all over the world! When you have a good, strong grasp of the English language, you will be able to pursue educational, travel and employment opportunities not only in Australia but in many different countries.
Learning a new language can seem a bit scary to begin with. There’s so much to absorb! But, you can take heart from the fact that there are many millions of people who have successfully learned English as a second language. These individuals are able to use their new language skills anywhere and everywhere all over the world. You can do it too!
How to Get Started
There are various good ways to learn a new language. You can choose to study English yourself and at your own pace via an app, computer software or even online. The great aspect about studying in this way is that you can take everything at a rate and a time that suits you.
Having said that, perhaps the best way to study a new language is to fully immerse yourself in it. And, there is no better way to do this than enrolling on English courses for international students such as the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS).
Where to Study
If you have decided to study English in Australia for international students, there’s a wide variety of settings you can do this in. ELICOS courses are offered by specialist English language centres, secondary schools, private colleges, TAFE institutes, and universities. These particular courses are specifically designed to aid international visitors and students alike to develop strong English skills so that they can participate fully and get the most from life in Australia.
If you’re an international student or you’re planning on becoming one, Australian education establishments are looking forward to welcoming you! ELICOS courses are perfect for you so that you can ensure you meet the English language requirements of your place of study too. Bear in mind that there are a variety of institutions that are affiliated with different schools that teach English. So, you can potentially choose to study an English language preparation course alongside your higher education or vocational course.
If you’re wondering whether taking an ELICOS course is worth it, we can tell you that it certainly is! Before they can offer ELICOS courses every provider must register with the National English Language Teaching Accreditation Scheme (NEAS). This is a real positive for students because NEAS ensures all ELICOS courses are of an extremely high standard. Not only that but the body monitors all providers to ensure they provide education of the highest quality. Aspects such as teaching materials, support services and classroom sizes are checked to make certain they’re up to standard. This all means that you can study with complete confidence!
When it comes to how courses for international students are regulated, this is through the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 alongside some other legislation. This requires every international student education provider to register on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). For your peace of mind, it is illegal for any provider to run courses for international students if they are not CRICOS-registered.
Costs to Expect
Generally speaking, the cost of English language courses for international students starts at approximately AUD$300 each week. This is not a definitive price as different providers vary so to get a better idea of what you will need to spend on your chosen course, it’s best to get in touch with the relevant provider.
What Courses are on Offer?
There are lots of courses, from short 4-week ones to ones that last 48 weeks so you’re sure to find one that will suit your needs as well as your wallet. You can choose from:
- General English
- English for specific purposes (business and so on)
- English for secondary school prep
- English for academic purposes
- Cambridge test preparation
- TOEFL and IELTS test preparation
- Study tour programmes including other extracurricular activities
Entry Requirements
If you’re entering the country on a student visa for ELICOS study, you need to be a full-time student. In terms of entry requirements, these are dependent on the level of English course you plan on studying. All levels of study are available from courses for beginners to more advanced options. Because of this, it’s best to check entry requirements with your chosen education provider.
Even if you’re a visitor to Australia or a tourist, you can also study ELICOS while you’re there. Did you know that there are actually courses that have been specifically designed to combine tourist activities and study? So, no matter which route you’d like to take to study English courses, Perth, Sydney, Canberra and so many other exciting destinations await you!
English Proficiency Tests
There are various tests that are specially designed to assess international student’s English proficiency so that they can gain entry to an Australian course. The five that are accepted for Australian student visa applications are the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic test, the Occupational English Test (OET), the IELTS test and the TOEFL test.
Moving to Australia as an international student is the beginning of an incredible adventure. So many new doors will open to you when you learn to speak and write fluent English. You can live and work in so many different countries, enjoy new experiences and meet new people. Australia is a very welcoming country where you will find that you fit in perfectly. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take that next positive step and to plan your new life and studies today. We look forward to helping you to begin your journey!
