The General English program.

• Scope and Sequence

  Level 1 is organized into three five-unit modules. Students learn skills necessary to communicate effectively in real-world situations, including how to:

  • Make introductions and exchange important information
  • Describe people, places, and things
  • Relay news, current events, and discuss life experiences
  • Make schedules, plan events, and make travel arrangements
  • Interview effectively

  Level 2 is organized into three five-unit modules. It builds on Level 1 language skills to help learners master important communication strategies. Students engage in interactive activities that present a variety of useful topics, including how to:

  • Talk about work and other routines
  • Give advice and provide recommendations
  • Order items, read directions, use computer hardware and software
  • Discuss travel and culture
  • Talk about personal experiences, health, and lifestyles

  Course Features

  • Students develop skills in speaking, listening, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, reading and writing.
  • Role-plays with video characters engage learners and create realistic dialogue practice.
  • Online writing practice (portfolios) allow students to write multiple drafts, with revisions based on the teacher’s feedback.
  • Automated feedback guides students’ skill development.
  • Grammar explanations illustrate how grammar works.
  • Culture Notes help learners understand cultural differences and learn new language within a broader social context.
  • Native language support is offered through translation.
  • Each level offers more than 100 hours of instruction.

Further information on these courses of study are available from the Course Specifications. See the links above under Scope and Sequence
In addition to tuition in reading, writing, listening and speaking, ESL provides the following to help students meet their language development goals.

1. Self access
Self Access is a program which assists students to develop individual study plans to tailor their language studies to their own unique needs. Self access includes study sessions supervised by fully qualified ESL teaching staff, who are available to answer questions and provide study advice. There are also optional weekly activities which introduce students to Australian lifestyle, culture, the local community and its facilities. The activities are also great for building strong friendships with other students.

2. Extensive reading
The Extensive Reading program has been shown to help students develop good reading habits, natural expression and increase reading speed.

3. English only policy
To ensure that students get as much practice to develop their English language skills as quickly and as effectively as possible, the ESL program has an 'English only' policy. Our aim is for English to become so natural for students that they will begin to think in English.All forum, chat, live and other communication should be in English.

4. Social activities
A social activity is time tabled into each 5 week block for students to:

• practice speaking English outside the classroom;
• meet new friends from different classes, cultures and places;
• build a social network in Australia and bonds with people from around the world; and
• learn about Australian culture and society.
  Further social activities are organised through the International Friendship Program.

Course materials
Course materials purchased by students, cover listening, reading, writing and speaking. Grammar and vocabulary development also receive focused instruction in each course.

Teachers
Teachers are well qualified in ESL and have extensive experience in teaching English as a Second Language to international students. They are friendly and approachable and set high standards of professionalism ensuring students have the maximum opportunity to achieve their individual goals.

Duration and starting dates
Courses run in blocks of 5, 10 or 15weeks. Students can start almost any month. For more details on these dates please refer to the English Pathways Pages or contact langcentre@chalmers.com.cn