General English
Course Overview
The standard course length is 40 weeks of General English. Each week there are 20 face-to-face contact hours. This 40-week period is made up of four levels that each correspond to 10 weeks of course work. For every 10 weeks that a student is enrolled in the course, they are able to apply for 2 weeks of study break (maximum 8). There is also a 2 weeks mandatory holiday period over the Christmas/New Year period. As a result, there is a maximum of 10 weeks of study break over the course of the fully 40 week course if the enrolment includes the Christmas/New Year period.
Course Structure
A1 4.0 Elementary Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
2 4.5 Pre-Intermediate Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.
B1 5.0 Intermediate Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
B2 5.5 Upper Intermediate Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Entry Requirement
| Admission Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Academic Entry Requirements | Students come to Yarra College from different proficiencies across the four macro skills and, as a result, all students need to take a placement test prior to the commencement of classes. All students take a speaking and writing test which is marked by the Director of Studies or the Assistant Director of Studies according to a criterion-referenced scale. These tests and scales form the basis of the Placement Tests. Because the courses can accommodate students with only a very low grasp of English, Yarra College is able to accept students into the Elementary course even if they are at a very low level. |