Overview
The purpose of this English for Academic Purpose (EAP) course is to prepare students with an Upper Intermediate level of English or higher for the English language demands of a VET or degree course. As such, it focuses on academic literacy, including academic language, academic written genres appropriate for the students’ future courses, academic conventions such as avoidance of plagiarism, extensive reading skills and critical thinking.
In accordance with common practice, this EAP course will run at higher levels only; students arriving with a level of English too low to enter this EAP course will be placed in General English until they have reached an appropriate level of proficiency to move to EAP. Students who have reached a solid Upper Intermediate level of English language proficiency with General English may progress to the EAP course.
Assessment in the EAP are rigorous and calibrated to fulfil the English language proficiency requirements for entry to VET and university degree courses.
The overarching objectives of this course are to help learners to develop:
- Reading skills that are useful for interpreting a range of texts commonly dealt with in diploma, undergraduate degree and postgraduate degree courses.
- Skills in writing common forms of academic assignments, especially reports and essays, in an appropriate style and with an appropriate structure
- Speaking skills that are useful for seminar/tutorial discussions and discussing academic concepts with lecturers
- Listening skills that are useful for following academic discussions and listening to academic lectures, including taking notes
- Familiarity with academic conventions common in Australia such as common types of assessment and ways to approach them, the need to study independently and to express critical thinking, and referencing
- An ability to take charge of their own language learning
Job Training Institute’s EAP course comprises two levels (EAP 1 and EAP 2), each of which consist of 10 weeks of study at 20 classroom hours per week.
Each level is divided into two modules of five weeks each; students may enter the level at the start of any of these modules and exit at the end of each module. But Individual students needs are considered in deciding how many modules a student undertakes.
Students are advised to also complete homework and self-access activities totalling at least 15 hours per week in addition to the scheduled 20 hours per week.
EAP classes run throughout the year except during Christmas and New Year when the college shuts down completely. JTI will also be closed during public holidays where they fall on a weekday, as determined by the Victorian state government.
Students who have been assessed as being at an Upper Intermediate or higher level of English language proficiency upon arrival at Job Training Institute may study this EAP course as a stand-alone course. Students with a lower level of proficiency in English should spend an appropriate amount of time in General English before entering EAP. In many cases it will be advantageous for students to spend a few weeks in Upper Intermediate General English before commencing EAP 1 in order to be well prepared for the demands of EAP.
EAP course is designed for students who want to study for a classroom-based VET course or a degree with a university or private higher education provider. There are two exit points: students successfully completing EAP 1 should be ready for VET and degree courses requiring IELTS 6.0 overall or equivalent, while those successfully completing EAP 3 should be ready for courses requiring IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent.
Many students will be progressing to VET courses within Job Training Institute. No articulation arrangements with other providers exist at the current time.
Entry requirements are as follows:
Education level requirements
A level of education commensurate with that acceptable for tertiary education, including literacy in a language other than English. This could be evidenced by, for example, successful graduation from high school in the student’s own country or a letter of offer from an, private higher education provider or university conditional on English language results.
English language requirements
Demonstration of a level of English language proficiency appropriate to operate at the Upper Intermediate level, through either the Job Training Institute placement testing process or successful completion of the Intermediate level and a few weeks of Upper Intermediate level General English at Job Training Institute.
The course is designed for adults. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and must have enough education to be able to read and write English at least at the level of simple words and phrases.
Offshore
- Evidence of Year 12 (secondary schooling)
- Current passport
- placement English test
- All previous academic qualifications
- CV (if applicable)
- Statement of Purpose (if applicable)
- Financial Declaration (if applicable)
- Bank Statement, Payslips (if applicable)
- Sponsor Documents (if applicable)
Onshore
- Evidence of Year 12 (secondary schooling)
- Current passport
- English Placement Test
- All academic qualifications
- CV (if applicable)
- A statement of Australian visa grant
- Confirmation of Enrolment/s from another provider
Students must secure an appropriate visa that allows them to study in an Australian Registered Training organisation prior to course commencement. While most students would hold a student visa, the course is equally available to holders of tourist or working holiday visas, with course duration in accordance with conditions of those visas.
Age requirements: Minimum age 18
Most students in this course are expected to be on a pathway to higher or further education courses in Australia. This could be a VET Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma courses, an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate program. EAP courses in Australia occasionally attract people who have no specific academic aims but who want to study academic English, and academics from other countries who would like to improve their English to assist with their profession.
It is anticipated that students’ characteristics and needs will be typical of those entering similar courses in Australia. Initially, it is anticipated that the student mix in ELICOS will mostly include students from China and South Korea, but with the possibility of increasing the diversity to include a typical ELICOS student mix: Japan, South East Asia, South Asia, Latin American and Europe.
The course will cover all four macro-skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in academic contexts and with input and practice of language points (vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation) that assist in the development of these macro-skills.
Experience suggests that the largest age group is likely to be those in their twenties, though the course is open to all who are aged 18 and over. Courses of a similar nature around Australia attract people of all adult ages.
The course is open to a range of students, from those who want to study for a short time (minimum one five-week module) through to those who require or desire the whole 20 weeks. Those studying for shorter times are likely to be people who already have an appropriate level of English to enter university but who need to build confidence with using academic English or who need more work on academic skills such as critical thinking.
Different learning needs are identified at an early stage by asking agents and students during the application process to mention any special learning needs. On their first day at Job Training Institute, a Student Progress Record Sheet is started for each student, which includes space to list any special learning needs; in this way, all teachers who teach the student are informed. Further, students are monitored carefully during their first two weeks in ELICOS in order to identify any further special learning needs. The syllabus is sufficiently flexible that teachers can adapt work in class in response to differences in learning needs.
- trainer demonstrations
- discussions
- speaking, listening
- comprehension
- reading and writing exercises
- individual task
- case studies
- research
- role plays
- practical demonstrations and
- group work
Enrolment Fee: $300 (Offshore)
$200 (onshore)
Tuition Fee: $180/week
Material Fee: $10/week
Assessment is ongoing, based on student participation and language proficiency in all four skill areas. Continuous assessment examines achievement in a range of language tasks across the four skills, these include oral presentations, group and research projects as well as practical tasks. Specific assessments will be based on reading, writing, listening and speaking being the macro skills of language.
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