One of the most individual and iconic countries in the world, Australia is also home to some of the world’s leading educational institutions. With a warm climate, over 50,000 kilometres of coastline and a reputation for being one of the most friendly countries worldwide, it's easy to see why it's a popular destination for international students.
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According to a recent estimate, approximately 375 million people worldwide speak English as their first language, while respected linguist David Crystal has suggested that non-native speakers of English outnumber native speakers by three to one.
English is the main language of global discourse in various fields and has become a common language of communication for people across the world. Some 36% of the estimated 200 million internet users communicate in English, and it’s an official language of the European Union and the United Nations. For those seeking careers in medicine, science, economics, arts, IT, business, diplomacy, aviation or media, the ability to communicate effectively using both spoken and written English is a must.
Australia has long been recognised as a world leader in English language education and is a popular overseas study destination. The beauty and diversity of Australia’s natural environment, its warm climate and the laid-back lifestyle all hold great appeal, and the local people are friendly and welcoming. In addition, English is the national language, tuition fees and living costs are relatively low, and Australia is a safe place to live, work, study and travel.
International students study English in Australia for a variety of reasons. Some are seeking to improve their English language skills for work, while others want to continue their education in English, either in Australia or elsewhere, and require a particular level of English language proficiency to do so. Some have a personal interest in learning English, for example to enhance their enjoyment of films and literature, for their hobbies, or because they intend to travel. Some even go on to become English language teachers themselves.
Whatever the motivation, there’s a wide range of study programmes to choose from, and now is a better time than ever to study in Australia. The federal government has recently introduced amendments to the legislation which will make it easier for overseas students to study in Australia. The regulation framework for educational institutions catering to overseas students has been strengthened and the government’s Tuition Assurance Scheme (OSTAS) guarantees consumer protection for international students.
A wide range of study options
Australian universities, colleges of Technical and Further Education (TAFE), private English language centres and schools provide flexible pathways for learning English, either as a stepping stone to further education and training or for other purposes. There are long and short courses on offer for those who want to pass an exam, find a better job, continue in further study or training, travel, or want help with living in an English-speaking community. Courses are closely aligned to the needs of students and focus on listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, intercultural communication, research and study skills, class participation and online literacy. Distance learning options are available, along with a range of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) approaches.
An English language proficiency test is required before international students can enrol in some TAFE and university courses, but in many cases students can complete an approved English language course to satisfy the requirements instead. For TAFE courses, English language classes may be available before entering TAFE, or as part of the TAFE course.
Most of Australia’s 39 universities have English language colleges attached to the campus, which provide pathways for overseas students enrolling onto their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, along with discipline-specific English language and academic support programmes for particular courses, and individual and group consultations to
help students with writing and study skills. For university courses that have prerequisite subjects or additional entry requirements, approved bridging courses are available at the university or through private institutions.
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) are designed for students who require English language training before beginning their formal studies in Australia. There are registered English language centres across the country where international students can choose to do a general English course, or can specialise in English for business, graphic arts, health, hospitality, or for further academic or postgraduate study. 
Many ELICOS centres also offer special courses to help international students prepare for the Cambridge University examinations, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). These courses provide a combination of general English language skills and knowledge development along with examination orientation and practice. Teachers will assist students in enrolling for their examinations and advise about further study options. ELICOS programmes are open to everyone, including students who are in Australia on a tourist or visitor visa and people who do not want to continue studying after their English course.
While most students who come to Australia to learn English will pay the full international student tuition fees, there are various scholarships, bursaries, awards and other funding sources which overseas students can access. The Australian government’s Study in Australia website gives more details of these at
www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/sia/en/studycosts/scholarships
For information about the different institutions and courses on offer, visit www.australian-universities.com
High quality programmes
To ensure that overseas students who come to Australia to learn English receive the best possible education, a registration and monitoring body called the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) was established in 1990. NEAS is a member of the Asia-Pacific Quality Network and all English language centres in Australia must comply with a set of standards before they can be registered. NEAS accreditation is a guarantee that students will be taught by qualified English language teachers and that class sizes will be kept small. Once they are accredited, institutions are able to display the NEAS logo on their promotional materials and websites.
The Australian government is committed to maintaining high-quality educational institutions and courses for international students. Changes to the legislation will ensure that students are better supported through improved information, coordinated management of education agents, strengthening of the tuition protection framework and enhanced support services for studying and living in Australia, including having somewhere to go when problems arise.
Of the 53,660 overseas students who responded to the Australian 2010 International Student Survey, 86% were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall living experience in Australia, and 84% were satisfied with their study experience in Australian universities, TAFEs, ELICOS centres and schools. For anyone who is considering studying English abroad, Australia is definitely the place to come.
Robert Jackson
President
Australian Council of TESOL Associations
www.tesol.org.au
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