General English
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: 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.
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 |
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. Download and complete the International Student Application Form.
2. Provide a certified copy of your English Language proficiency.
3. Provide a certified copy of your passport.
4. Provide certified copies of any academic transcripts.
5. Send your International Student Application Form with all supporting documents directly to ITHEA by mail or 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.