General English Course in Australia
Build your English confidence for life in Australia
Austra College offers a face-to-face General English course for international students aged 18 and over. Start at the level that matches your English and study one or more 10-week levels in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Perth.
This CRICOS-registered ELICOS course helps you build speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for daily life, conversations and further study. The full pathway has six levels, but you only study the levels in your agreed study plan.
Course at a glance
Course name
General English
Course type
ELICOS and Non AQF Award
Study mode
Face-to-face classroom learning
Other study
At least 5 hours each week
Class size
No more than 18 students per class
CRICOS Course Code
121349J
Locations
Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth
Teaching time
20 hours face-to-face each week
Age
18 years or older
Levels
Starter, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced
Course length
Your teaching period can be shorter than 60 weeks. Each level is 10 teaching weeks. The full six-level course is 70 weeks, including 60 teaching weeks and 10 weeks of breaks.
Course at a glance
| Course detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Course name | General English |
| CRICOS Course Code | 121349J |
| Course type | ELICOS and Non AQF Award |
| Locations | Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth |
| Study mode | Face-to-face classroom learning |
| Levels | Starter, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Advanced |
| Teaching time | 20 hours face-to-face each week |
| Other study | At least 5 hours each week |
| Length | Your teaching period can be shorter than 60 weeks. Each level is 10 teaching weeks. The full six-level course is 70 weeks, including 60 teaching weeks and 10 weeks of breaks. |
| Age | 18 years or older |
| Class size | No more than 18 students per class |
Why choose General English at Austra College
Start at the level that matches your current English.
Study one or more 10-week levels instead of automatically studying all 60 teaching weeks.
Attend 20 hours of face-to-face classes each week.
Learn in a class with no more than 18 students.
Choose Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Perth.
Receive regular feedback on your English and course progress.
Is this course right for me?
General English may be right for you if you want to:
Speak more easily in everyday situations
Understand people when they speak English
Read everyday information with more confidence
Write clearer messages, emails and longer texts
Improve your grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
Prepare your English for further study
What you will learn
Speaking and pronunciation
Practise introductions, questions, conversations and short presentations. Learn to speak more clearly and share your ideas.
Listening
Listen to conversations, recordings and videos. Learn to understand the main idea and important details.
Reading
Read everyday information and longer texts. Learn how to find key information and understand meaning.
Writing
Start with clear sentences and messages. As your English grows, learn to write connected and well-organised texts.
Grammar and vocabulary
Learn useful words and grammar. Practise using them when you speak and write.
How you will learn
You will study in a classroom with an English teacher. Lessons include:
- pair and group conversations
- role-plays and presentations
- listening, reading and writing activities
- games and practical language tasks
- videos, online activities and everyday materials
- teacher feedback and individual support.
Headway coursebooks are the main course resource. Your teacher will also use other books, worksheets, websites and audio-visual materials. You should also complete at least 5 hours of personal or group study each week.
Your six English levels
Each level has 10 teaching weeks. You do not have to start at Starter or study all six levels. Your placement test and interview show your starting level. Your agreed study plan shows how many levels you will study.
| Starting level | Example pathway through Advanced | Teaching weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Starter to Advanced | 60 weeks |
| Elementary | Elementary to Advanced | 50 weeks |
| Pre-Intermediate | Pre-Intermediate to Advanced | 40 weeks |
| Intermediate | Intermediate to Advanced | 30 weeks |
| Upper Intermediate | Upper Intermediate and Advanced | 20 weeks |
| Advanced | Advanced | 10 weeks |
This table is an example for a student whose study plan continues through Advanced. You may study fewer levels. For example, one level is 10 teaching weeks. Scheduled breaks may increase the total calendar time. Your offer, written agreement and Confirmation of Enrolment will show your exact levels, dates and course duration.
How we choose your level
At orientation, you will complete an English placement test and an interview. We use the results to place you in the class that best matches your current English.
If your English level or learning needs change, we may adjust your class or give you extra support. Your written agreement and Confirmation of Enrolment will show your enrolled course duration.
Assessment and progress
Your teacher will check your progress throughout each level.
To move to the next level, you must achieve at least 50% in both the mid-level and end-of-level assessments and meet the course progress requirements.
Minimum attendance
80%
of your scheduled classes
Attendance
You must attend at least 80% of your scheduled classes. We check your attendance and course progress during each 10-week study period.
If your attendance or progress is at risk, we will contact you and offer an intervention plan. If you do not meet the course requirements, Austra College may need to report this to the Australian Government. This may affect your student visa.
Entry requirements
Course length
Not every student studies for 60 teaching weeks. The full course has six levels and 60 teaching weeks. It is registered for 70 weeks in total, including 10 weeks of scheduled breaks.
Your teaching period depends on your starting level and agreed study plan. For example, if you start at Upper Intermediate and your plan continues through Advanced, you will have 20 teaching weeks: 10 weeks of Upper Intermediate and 10 weeks of Advanced. You may also study only one level or another approved number of levels.
Scheduled breaks may increase the total calendar time. Your offer, written agreement and Confirmation of Enrolment will show your exact levels, dates and course duration.
Fees
Internal hold: the amounts below are the amounts in the current website draft. They must be reconciled with the current CRICOS and approved fee records before this section is published.
| Fee | Current draft amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | AUD $400 once |
| Tuition fee | AUD $300 for each teaching week |
| Resource fee | AUD $40 for each teaching week |
Fees may change. Check the current Fees and Charges information before you apply. Read the Fee Management and Refund Policy to understand payments, cancellations and refunds.
You may also need to pay for Overseas Student Health Cover and your living costs in Australia. These costs are not included in the course fees.
Your course document
When you complete all or part of your course, Austra College will give you a course document. It will show your study dates, course duration and the English level you achieved.
General English is a Non AQF Award. It is not an Australian Qualifications Framework qualification.
Further study
General English can help you prepare for English for Academic Purposes, vocational education and training, or higher education.
You must still meet the entry requirements for any future course. Completing General English does not guarantee entry to another course, a job, a visa or a migration outcome.
Support while you study
Our teaching approach takes into account different learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and learning needs. Support is provided for students experiencing difficulties.
Individual feedback
Adapted Activities
Focused Group Work
Additional Assistance
You can ask for help if you are finding your studies difficult. Your teachers and student support team can help with feedback, learning support and information about study and life in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need good English before I start
No. The Starter level is for students with little or no English. We use a placement test and interview to choose the right class for you.
2. How many hours will I study
You attend 20 hours of face-to-face classes each week. You should also complete at least 5 hours of other study each week.
3. Do I have to study for 60 teaching weeks
No. Sixty teaching weeks is the full pathway across all six levels. Your duration depends on your starting level and agreed study plan.
4. Can I study only one level
Yes, where this matches your assessed level and agreed study plan. One level has 10 teaching weeks. Your enrolment documents will show your levels and course length.
5. How long is each level
Each level has 10 teaching weeks.
6. How do I move to the next level
You must achieve at least 50% in both the Week 5 and Week 10 assessments and meet the course progress requirements.
7. Will I receive a qualification
General English is a Non AQF Award. You receive a course document showing your study and English achievement, not an AQF qualification.
8. Where can I study
You can study in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney or Perth. Ask Admissions which classes and start dates are available at your chosen campus.
9. Can this course guarantee entry to another course
No. Each future course has its own entry requirements.
Ready to start
