TAFE NSW English Language Centres offer intensive English language courses to prepare you for business, travel or study at school, TAFE or university.
About Us
TAFE NSW English Language Centres are owned and operated by the New South Wales state government and guarantee high-quality tuition and expert teachers. Learn in small classes with access to self-study areas, library and language laboratories.
Seven locations:
Centres in Sydney
- Northern Sydney Institute (Crows Nest)
- South Western Sydney Institute (Liverpool)
- Sydney Institute (Ultimo)
Centres outside Sydney
- Hunter Institute (Newcastle)
- Illawarra Institute (Wollongong)
- North Coast Institute (Port Macquarie and Kingscliff)
Student Services
Student support services:
- airport pick-up and accommodation placement
- orientation program, tutorial support and career counselling
- job placement service to find part-time work
- free internet and email access
- student association activities and excursions.
Click here to read what our students say about studying at TAFE NSW.
Courses
General English
Certificate 1 and 2 in English for speakers of other languages
This course is for students who want to improve their general English language proficiency to travel in Australia or to communicate with native speakers in social or work situations. It develops basic grammar, speaking and listening, reading and writing,as well as the skills and confidence to communicate in English.
Entry level: beginner to intermediate.
Course length: 5 to 50 weeks depending on your English level.
Qualification: certificate 1 and 2 in English for speakers of other languages.
Certificate 3 in English for further study
This course is for students who want to communicate more effectively with native speakers at work or in social situations, or who want to prepare to study in TAFE NSW or at an Australian university. It builds on academic English skills and includes researching, assignment preparation and essay writing. Students who successfully complete this course are eligible for direct entry into TAFE NSW vocational programs if they meet the relevant academic requirements.
Entry level:
- intermediate to upper intermediate
- approximately 4.5 in all areas of IELTS.
Course length: 5 to 20 weeks depending on your English level.
Qualification: certificate 3 in English for further study.
Certificate 4 in English for academic purposes (EAP)
This course prepares students for advanced study at TAFE NSW or at an Australian university. Advanced level students will develop academic English skills including academic reading and writing, and seminar presentations.
Entry level: upper intermediate.
Course length: 5 to 20 weeks depending on your English level.
Qualification: certificate 4 in English for academic purposes.
IELTS preparation
This course is for students from language backgrounds other than English who are preparing to sit for a formal systemic test of their English proficiency, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination, the Combined Universities Language Test (CULT) or other English language tests that are recognised for entry into university or other tertiary courses.
Skills developed include:
- advanced writing
- speaking for IELTS
- advanced reading
- listening skills.
Entry level: intermediate to advanced.
Course length:10 to 20 weeks depending on your English level.
Qualification: certificate 3 in examination preparation (IELTS/CULT).
Cambridge examination
Many employers recognise Cambridge English as a Foreign Language (EFL) certificates as proof of the holder's ability to use English to communicate effectively. The skills gained are of value in a wide range of work and social situations.
This program includes:
- first certificate in English (FCE)
- certificate in advanced English (CAE)
- certificate of proficiency (CPE)
- business English certificate (BEC) preliminary (business English certificate 1)
- business English certificate (BEC) vantage (business English certificate 2).
Entry level: intermediate to advanced.
Course length: ten weeks.
High school preparation programs
Introduction to English preparation for high school
This program is for students who want to study the school certificate in an Australian high school. It introduces you to Australian teaching and learning practices. It also teaches you about Australian culture and prepares you to communicate with schoolmates in an Australian high school. Areas covered include English language, study skills, English for key high school subjects and orientation to Australian schools.
Entry level:
- lower intermediate to intermediate.
- approximately IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.
- students who are below lower intermediate level study a general English bridging program first.
Course length: ten weeks
Qualification:
- certificate in introduction to English preparation for high school
- students who complete this program can enrol in Year 9 or 10 at an Australian high school.
English preparation for high school
This program is for students who want to study for the Higher School Certificate in an Australian high school or in TAFE NSW, or for the TAFE NSW certificate in tertiary preparation. It develops to a higher level the knowledge and skills included in the introduction to English preparation for high school program.
Entry level: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.
Course length: ten weeks.
Qualification:
- certificate in English preparation for high school
- Students who complete this program can enrol in Year 11 at an Australian high school.
Locations
Ultimo (Sydney Institute)
Building H, Level 1, Mary Ann Street, Ultimo
Port Macquarie (North Coast)
Widderson Street Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Wollongong (Illawarra Institute)
Foleys Road Wollongong NSW 2500
Crows Nest (Northern Sydney Institute)
149 West Street Crows Nest NSW 2065
Kingscliff (North Coast)
Cudgen Road Kingscliff NSW 2487
Newcastle (Hunter Institute)
Maitland Road Tighes Hill NSW 2297
Liverpool (South Western Sydney Institute)
College Street Liverpool NSW 2170