Contact Page - Academic English Course in Sydney

Sydney English Language Centre (SELC):
Sydney English Language Centre (SELC) is an international language school, with students who come to study English from over 30 countries. Famous formore than 20 years for its quality education and great atmosphere, it is 10 minutes from the world-famous surf of Bondi Beach and, in the other direction, the busy cosmopolitan area of Sydney's CBD. Study abroad and learn English overseas with students from over 30 different countries at a fully accredited and internationally recognised English language school. We offer a wide range of course including Academic English.

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Academic English
Intermediate to Advanced

Course structure:
- 3 x 12-week cycles
- Each week focuses on a new academic genre.
- Students can do 4 – 36 weeks in English for Academic Purposes.

Course overview:
The English for Academic Purposes curriculum focuses on giving students knowledge of common academic genres and their uses, as well as research and study skills and cultural knowledge through use of current topics and discourse examples. Grammar is presented in context as part of construction of whole texts and therefore meaning.

The Sydney English Language Centre has adopted a discourse level / whole text-based curriculum. The focus is on meaning in context.

There are three levels of EAP – Intermediate (an introductory course), Upper Intermediate and Advanced. In each level, students study a 12-week course, divided into weekly studies of common academic genres. Typically, the week begins with an introduction to the genre, (for example, reports) which focuses on analysis of this text-type. The lessons then concentrate on the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking within the framework of the weekly genre. Particular attention is paid to skills necessary for university such as note-taking, computer skills, research methods, essay planning and writing, referencing and discussion.

Syllabus text types are chosen from an analysis of a range of university and college materials (books, text books, exam papers, journals, lectures, tutorials, presentations and the like.) The media and the Internet are also a source of lesson materials. The range of text types, oral and written, represents texts most likely to be encountered by tertiary level students during their course of study.

As a large part of tertiary study involves general socialising in English, sections devoted to casual conversation, as well as pronunciation, have been included in the course.

A monthly assignment is an important part of the Upper Intermediate and Advanced course. To maximise improved writing results, the assignment is divided into 3 sections and orally presented as an entire piece of work at the end of each month. Students are given instruction and time in class to research and prepare for this project, but to familiarise themselves with college or university expectations, they are also expected to research, write and practise it in their own time.

Assessment is a combination of on-going assessment and monthly tests. Students are expected to attend regularly and to complete all homework and class tasks.

Articulation to further study institutions:
Formal articulation agreements (that is, direct entry in university or college without any further testing) are in place with a number of tertiary institutions in Australia. As they are many, varied and ongoing, it is necessary to check with the SELC Counsellor for any specific articulation questions. Many students have directly entered the tertiary institution of their choice after completing study in the SELC English for Academic Purposes course.