Swinburne University of Technology

2008 is Swinburne’s centenary year. With 100 years of experience in education, Swinburne knows how to prepare its graduates for the real world. Swinburne University of Technology has recently been ranked the best university in Melbourne for Teaching Quality and Graduate Satisfaction, by The Good Universities Guide 2007. Swinburne welcomes international students, with a total student population of 22,600 including 5,500 international students from around the world.

Our English language (ELICOS) programs are specially designed for international students who want to improve their English to study in Australia, or for social or career purposes.

English language courses

Swinburne offers General English and English for Academic Purposes courses from pre-intermediate to advanced levels. The total duration of studying ELICOS can vary in length from 5 to 40 weeks – each module is ten weeks in duration. During our comprehensive orientation program, we will test your English proficiency, so you can enter the course best suited to your needs and reach the English language level you require. The programs are fully accredited under Australia’s National English Language Teaching Accreditation Scheme (NEAS). You will be taught by highly experienced and qualified teachers using current methodology and up-to-date print, audio, video and computer-based materials.

You will learn in small classes in a comfortable environment of fully equipped modern classrooms and the Independent Learning Centre (ILC). You can enter TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate courses directly from ELICOS if you successfully complete English for Academic Purposes, Level 2 with a recommendation for the specific level of your course (e.g. undergraduate study).

Learning resources

The Independent Learning Centre (ILC) is a facility for self-paced language learning. The aim of the ILC is to assist you to develop your skills in English. With the help and guidance of ILC staff, you will be able to access a wide range of print-based and computer-based resources.

The ILC is equipped with:

• modern, up-to-date computers for independent learning and internet research

• television and video to learn about Australian culture and to improve listening and comprehension skills

• print-based resources which are specifically tailored to all ELICOS courses

You will also have access to a wide variety of online material and interactive exercises to assist your language learning.

Campus

The Swinburne English Language Centre is part of Swinburne College, a brand new, custom-designed facility located in the heart of our main campus at Hawthorn. Hawthorn is a prestigious inner-city suburb around 8 km from Melbourne’s city centre. The campus is located in the midst of a shopping district, with bookshops, boutiques, supermarkets, cafés and an array of multicultural cuisine. A network of trains and trams covers this campus, which is located within the public transport Zone 1.

Facilities and services

Swinburne’s facilities are excellent and include wireless technology, well-equipped laboratories, extensive libraries, health centres, comfortable student accommodation, cafés, sporting facilities and many special interest clubs. All campuses have easy access to transport, shops and entertainment venues.

Swinburne International runs a recreation program particularly for international students, including excursions and daytrips, enabling them to see more of Australia. The university also offers a wide range of sporting facilities, and many outdoor and extracurricular activities.

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