Start anytime * eligibility criteria apply, material fees may apply
Start anytime * eligibility criteria apply, material fees may apply
CRICOS Code: 097564F
General:
ITHEA’s General English course provides students with the opportunity to develop English language and literacy skills to be used in real life situations such as everyday communications, travel, work, and living in Australia.
Ideal for those seeking to improve their skills in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Learn English in the heart of the Melbourne CBD in a fun, relaxed and diverse environment. We support you with group work, oral presentations, discussion groups, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and punctuation and excursions around Melbourne. You’ll quickly pick up basic language skills to help you settle into life in Melbourne, Australia.
General English is offered at Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate and Advanced levels. Each level of General English is 12 weeks in duration.
It can also lead you to further study or prepare you for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Cambridge English: Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English), Pearson Test of English Academic or Occupational English Test (OET). Students can also be considered for one of our VET programs upon successful completion of General English – Advanced.
Entry requirements:
Entry to this course is determined according to the following criteria:
a participant’s current English language skills. Listening and Speaking and Reading and Writing provide the basis for initial assessment processes and placement of participants at the appropriate proficiency level; a participant’s prior formal education experience, both overseas and in Australia; any prior English language learning; a participant’s learning and pathway needs including employability skills, literacies (digital and other literacies), and further educational and vocational training needs.
Please Note: You do not need to provide evidence of an English test score with your visa application if you seeking to enrol in a standalone English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS). You can sit our English placement test to determine your entry level into the General English Program.
Students can also be accepted with a proficiency in English equivalent to the IELTS level in the table below.
General English Level | IELTS entry score |
Beginner | <3.0 |
Elementary | 3.0 |
Pre-Intermediate | 3.5 |
Intermediate | 4.0 |
Upper-Intermediate | 4.5 |
Advanced | 5.0 |
You will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency if you are packaging General English with one of our VET courses. The table below shows the accepted English language test providers.
English language test providers | Minimum score | Minimum score and at least 10 weeks English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) | Minimum score and at least 20 weeks ELICOS |
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
TOEFL internet based test | 64 | 46 | 35 |
Cambridge English: Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English) | 169 | 162 | 154 |
Pearson Test of English Academic | 50 | 42 | 36 |
Occupational English Test | B for each test component | B for each test component |
B for each test component |
You must have completed the English language test within either:
Vocational or educational outcomes: Students can advance a level every 12 weeks.
On completion of the General English – Advanced, students can gain entry into one of our VET programs.
General English Level | Duration |
Beginner | 12 weeks |
Elementary | 12 weeks |
Pre-Intermediate | 12 weeks |
Intermediate | 12 weeks |
Upper-Intermediate | 12 weeks |
Advanced | 12 weeks |
Assessment: Strategies include a variety of assessment methods and evidence gathering techniques, which offer an integrated approach to assessment.
Assessment methods and tools may include:
verbal presentations
multi-media presentations
student self-assessments
on-going teacher assessment
direct observation
simulated role plays
verbal questioning to confirm linguistic, sociolinguistic and cultural knowledge
Units
Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening
How to Apply
Please make sure you have read all the course information about units of study, duration, entry requirements, assessment information, job prospects etc.
Steps
1. Complete the International Student Application Form.
2. Provide answers to Part A of the Student Application Form, in detail, and on separate paper.
3. Provide a copy of your English Language proficiency.
4. Provide a copy of your Passport.
5. Provide copies of any Academic Transcripts.
6. Provide a copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
7. Provide a copy of your Financial Statement showing that you have sufficient funds to cover your travel costs and 12 months of living and tuition fees.
8. Send your International Student Application Form with all supporting documents by email (apply@ithea.edu.au) or through an authorised education agent. ITHEA administration team will process applications quickly. Applicants will then receive notification informing them of the result of their application.
Receiving a Letter of Offer and Enrolment Acceptance Agreement
Upon receipt of your completed application form and required relevant documents, ITHEA will ensure that all necessary entry requirements are met before issuing a Letter of Offer and an Enrolment Acceptance Agreement outlining the nominated course(s), duration of course(s), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), deposit required and instalment plan.
Please read and understand the Enrolment Acceptance Agreement before returning the complete signed document to ITHEA. We will also require your initial payment as indicated on the Enrolment Acceptance Agreement. Please ensure all payments are in Australian Dollars. When you have completed these steps, ITHEA will then send you a copy of the Confirmation of Enrolment(s) – eCoE(s)
Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
Take the copy of the Confirmation of Enrolment(s) – eCoE(s) to the Australian Consulate, Embassy, High Commission in your home country and apply for a student visa. If you are applying for your student visa directly, you can obtain information from the Department of Home Affairs www.homeaffairs.gov.au or your local Australian Diplomatic Mission. The Department will then commence procedures for the issue of your visa. As this can take some time, it is important that your application is submitted well before your course start date.
12 to 96 weeks full time. Minimum course enrolment is 12 study weeks with each level taking 12 weeks to achieve
Term 1 – 22 Jan
Term 2 – 15 Apr
Term 3 – 8 Jul
Term 4 – 30 Sep
General English
Enrolment Fee: $250
Materials Fee: $200 per level
Course Tuition Fee: $2,200 per level
ACN: 125 368 569
ITHEA acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of Country and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.