ELICOS at Box Hill Institute

Every year hundreds of international students choose to study ELICOS at Box Hill Institute. Why? Mainly because they have heard from family or friends what a great place Box Hill Institute is. The ELICOS program helps to prepare students for entry into mainstream studies at the Institute in areas such as Business, IT, Engineering, Art, Music and many other fields of study. Not all students who study ELICOS at Box Hill Institute plan to enter mainstream studies. Some students only come for 5 or 10 weeks to improve their English language skills before travelling around Australia, working or returning home. Of course, all students are welcome!

When ELICOS students first arrive at Box Hill Institute they are asked to sit for an English placement test. This test determines at what level a student will commence studying. The Centre for English Language Studies offers students ELICOS classes at 6 levels, from Elementary to Advanced. Each week ELICOS students will cover all the language skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening as well as grammar and study skills. There is an emphasis throughout on communication activities to make language learning more interesting and relevant to students’ needs. Current Affairs and Language of Computers is also included as part of the curriculum.

Reading – here students develop their skills in order to comprehend a range of texts both for personal and social purposes and to prepare them for further study in mainstream courses. They may read a range of materials including newspaper articles and short stories.

Writing – students develop a range of communication skills in writing, including informal, descriptive, narrative, imaginative, opinion and argumentative writing. Lessons focus on improving skills and structures needed for personal, social and further study situations.

Listening – Through intensive listening classes in the language laboratory and through other listening activities students develop the skills to understand both formal and informal spoken texts for personal, social and study purposes.

Speaking – Students have many opportunities to improve their oral communication skills. Pair and group work, oral presentations and debates are some of the activities that form part of speaking classes.

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Students can share their personal experiences, feelings, and opinions in a supportive, friendly environment.

Grammar – This is an integral part of our ELICOS program and special grammar points are emphasized in all the above classes. In addition, separate lessons are dedicated to teaching grammar.

Study skills – As many of our ELICOS students at Box Hill Institute plan to enter mainstream programs on completion of their ELICOS studies it is important for them to have really good study skills. Study skills are therefore taught throughout the ELICOS program but particularly at the higher levels.

Language of computers - The Centre for English Language Studies has 2 computer rooms and all ELICOS students have at least 2 hours a week where they work on computers. The Centre has some excellent English Language software and access to other programs including internet programs.

IELTS preparation

– During terms 2 and 4 students in Intermediate, Upper intermediate and Advanced ELICOS level classes will have some lessons each week where they will focus on the language, study skills and test techniques needed to improve their performance in the IELTS test. This is particularly important for those students who wish to sit for an IELTS test or for the Entry to Mainstream Test delivered at Box Hill Institute three times each year (in January, June and November).

Homework – In order to consolidate classroom work students are encouraged to review their work at home and teachers often provide additional follow up homework activities. This may include extra reading, grammar exercises, personal writing in a journal, research in a library or on the internet, etc.

Excursions – In order to ensure students have an enjoyable and social experience while they are studying ELICOS at Box Hill Institute the Centre for English Language Studies organises one excursion each term. Students often choose to do something exciting like ice skating, rowing or horse riding. When the weather is warm an excursion to the beach is also popular. The International Student Office also offers many social outings for international students throughout the year and ELICOS students are always invited.

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