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:
1. Core Sessions
In these sessions
the focus is on helping students to develop the four main skills of
speaking, listening, reading and writing.
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.**
4. Friday Afternoon
Activities
Student can choose
from a range of activities which are all supervised by a qualified teacher.
These include:
a. Completing homework assigned by the classroom teacher.
b. Listening comprehension practice using a variety or audiovisual resources.
c. Sitting a practice test for IELTS, TOEIC or another exam.
d. Participating in an organized activity outside the college. Popular
activities are visiting the Art Gallery or the Museum.
e. Sitting a progress test to change to a higher level of GEI.
General English
Intensive Assessment
1. Students complete
a weekly test every Friday, which allows teachers to effectively monitor
student's progress.
2. 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.
3. 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: $13,250.00 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.
CRICOS Provider
Code: 01351B
July2010