Our Courses

General English Intensive
(Beginner to Advanced)

General English Intensive (GEI) is designed to help students improve their speaking, listening, writing and reading skills for use in a range of work and social situations. This course has been given the name “intensive” because students have 5 more hours per week of teacher supervised classes when compared to students studying the General English Course. These extra hours offer students an opportunity to study more specialized classes designed to help them explore a greater range of situations in which they can use English for communication. GEI has levels from Beginner to Advanced, so no English test or minimum level of English proficiency is required to enrol.

Course Structure

Each level of GEI, from Beginner to Advanced, is divided into 10 - 15 week cycles. These cycles cover a range of essential grammar, vocabulary and language functions needed by students at each level. Each week these language elements are introduced to students using a wide variety of interesting topics and themes. A sample GEI timetable is attached. Detailed information about GEI classes is provided below:

Core Sessions

Speaking activities provide students with an opportunity to communicate in a meaningful way with each other and the teacher. This is achieved through a variety of stimulating speaking tasks carried out in pairs or small groups. Through such activities teachers are able to effectively monitor students' progress, with special emphasis given to improving accuracy, fluency and pronunciation.

To assist students in improving their listening skills, teachers of each GEI level have access to a wide range of recorded listening materials which are designed to help students develop a variety of listening skills from listening for general understanding to listening for specific information.

Reading materials are drawn from a wide range of everyday sources, such as the Internet, newspapers and magazines. Reading tasks help raise students’ awareness of the different reading skills they can use to draw meaning from texts.

Teachers give students writing tasks they are likely to use in everyday life, such as letters and reports. Students also complete writing tasks as part of reading, speaking and listening activities.

Electives

Our Speaking Intensive and IELTS Electives allow Upper- Intermediate and Advanced GEI students to undertake more specialized studies during their course. Students choose an elective* and study this subject for two hours on Monday and Thursday mornings for four weeks.

The Speaking Intensive Elective gives students an opportunity for extra speaking practice. Students are able to give presentations as well as participate in role plays and discussions.

In the IELTS Elective students will become familiar with the structure of the exam and learn important study skills needed to successfully complete it.

Morning and Afternoon Subjects

Students practice using English in specific contexts to assist them in communicating in a variety of social, academic and work situations. Some examples of these subjects are Conversation, Storytelling, English in Music, Intensive Writing, Grammar Review and Australian TV.**

Friday Afternoon Activities

Student can choose from a range of activities which are all supervised by a qualified teacher. These include:

  • Completing homework assigned by the classroom teacher.
  • Listening comprehension practice using a variety or audiovisual resources.
  • Sitting a practice test for IELTS, TOEIC or another exam.
  • Participating in an organized activity outside the college. Popular activities are visiting the Art Gallery or the Museum.
  • Sitting a progress test to change to a higher level of GEI.

General English Intensive Assessment

  • Students complete a weekly test every Friday, which allows teachers to effectively monitor student's progress.
  • Students who have studied at one level for four weeks, perform well on two consecutive weekly tests and pass a speaking test qualify to sit for the progress test to change to a higher level of GEI. Students who have scored 75% or more on 8 weekly tests and have passed a speaking test automatically level up to the next level.
  • On completion of the course all students are issued with a Statement of Attainment. This is a detailed record of the student’s course containing information about course length, attendance, the final level of GEI achieved by the student and a description of the student’s level of English language proficiency.

* Elective availability depends on student demand at the time of enrolment.

** Subject availability depends on student demand at the time of enrolment.

English Language Entry Requirements

There is no English language requirement to enter this course. Students will do a placement test and be interviewed on their first day and placed in an appropriate level.

Academic Entry Requirements

The minimum academic entry requirement for this course is the completion of Year 8 or equivalent.

Indicative Course-Related Fees* for General English Intensive (Beginner to Advanced)

  • Enrolment Fee: $150.00
  • Resource Fee: $500.00 for 50 weeks
  • Tuition Fee: $13,500.00 for 50 weeks
  • Text Book Rental Deposit: $50.00 (This is to be fully refunded when the textbook is returned to the college in good condition at the end of the course)

*The course fees will not change during the student’s course.

Course Starting Dates

Students can start the course on any Monday.

Facilities

There is free internet access for students anytime from 8:00AM to 5:00PM Mondays to Fridays. Wireless internet is also available for those students who want to use their own notebook computer within the premises of ICQA. Students can use any of our audio-visual equipment and selected materials to study independently after school. Students can also borrow books from our mini- library at reception to practice their reading skills. Fridges and microwaves are also provided for students’ convenience.

Download Timetable