General English

CRICOS Course Code: 0101700

Become confident using English in social and everyday business situations. Our General English course, available in both the day and evening, provides you with intensive development of practical, real-world English.

Learn to communicate accurately and become more confident using English in everyday business and social settings.

Why is the UEC General English program the best choice?

Key language skills – General English provides intensive development of practical, real-world English. Students will learn to communicate in a spoken and written form, develop strategic listening skills and improve their use of grammar.
Customise your program – Our electives allow you to customise your course by focusing on subjects that you find interesting or important.
Study for longer – If you choose to enrol in our daytime classes, you can further personalise your General English experience by attending three additional Flex classes each week.

What will you learn in the General English course?

Our General English program will help you:

Build your vocabulary
Develop your grammar
Speak with accuracy, fluency and confidence
Improve your reading and comprehension
Develop your writing skills
Understand formal and informal English

Minimum entry requirement

You must be able to read and write the English alphabet, introduce yourself and exchange simple information to enter the Elementary Level.

Course levels and learning outcome

Our course levels and outcome of each level are as follows:

Level	Entry Level Requirement	Learning Outcome
Starter	IELTS 3.5 or equivalent	Communicates at a basic level in everyday situations Respond to simple questions and directions Understands English when spoken to slowly and clearly
Elementary	IELTS 4.0 or equivalent
Pre- Intermediate	IELTS 4.5 equivalent or the successful completion of the UEC General English Elementary Level (10 weeks with exit score of 60% or after 5 weeks of study with exit score of 85%)	Communicates facts and opinions Can participate in conversations with native speakers Understands most questions and statements at normal speaking speed Uses English to shop, order food in restaurants and ask for directions
Intermediate	IELTS 5.0 equivalent or the successful completion of the UEC General English Lower Intermediate Level (10 weeks with exit score of 60% or after 5 weeks of study with exit score of 85%)	Communiates fairly fluently in familiar situations Uses a range of vocabulary and is able to find alternative forms of expression Can describe more complex ideas
Upper Intermediate	IELTS 5.5 equivalent or the successful completion of the UEC General English Intermediate Level (10 weeks with exit score of 60% or after 5 weeks of study with exit score of 85%)	Communicates effectively in most social situations Uses English with growing accuracy and fluency, including reading and writing Understands a wide range of idioms Maintains extended conversations with native speakers Can maintain conversations on a range of familiar topics Discusses and argues in a culturally acceptable way
Advanced	IELTS 6.0 equivalent or the successful completion of the UEC General English Upper Intermediate Level (10 weeks with exit score of 60% or after 5 weeks of study with exit score of 85%)	Speaks and understands Enlgish with ease Reads and writes with a high degree of proficiency Conducts business competently in English

Elective Classes

Each session you choose from a variety of classes designed to focus on areas of your choice. These classes provide you with the opportunity to advance your language skills in a variety of specialised areas. Sample classes include:

Pronunciation – all levels
Vocabulary – all levels
IELTS Preparation – Lower Intermediate or above level
Business English – Intermediate or above level

Optional Flex Classes

Three additional classes are held each week on the day course to enhance communication skills. These flexible classes focus on listening, speaking and pronunciation and allow you to customise your learning program. Classes include:

Active Listening
Pronunciation Clinic
Speaking Fluency Practice

How you will be assessed

We will assess your speaking, writing, reading and listening progress every five weeks. That way, we can continually make sure your classes suit the pace and progress of your leaning.

Assessment method

Student’s progress will be assessed, regularly. Assessments may include: quizzes, speaking test, end of course test (reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening).

Sample weekly timetable

Pre-Intermediate
Day Program: 20 contact hours + 2.5 hours of Optional Flex Classes per week
Evening Program: 20 contact hours per week

Day classes	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Evening classes
8:45 9:30	Useful Vocabulary	Help with Pronunciation	Speak with a friend	Listen Carefully	Useful Vocabulary	16:30 17:15
9:30 10:15	Reading Strategy	Language Technology Class	Reading Comprehension	Language Technology Class	Speak with a friend	17:15 18:00
10:15 10:30	BREAK					18:00 18:20
10:30 11:15	Get the Grammar Right	Get the Grammar Right	Useful Vocabulary	Speak with a Friend	Help with Pronunciation	18:20 19:05
11:15 12:00	Writing Letters	Speak with a Friend	Writing Diaries	Writing Essays	Listen Carefully	19:05 19:50
12:00 12:45	LUNCH BREAK (day classes only)
12:45 13:45	Elective Behind the News	Elective Behind the News	Elective Behind the News	Elective Behind the News	Elective Behind the News	19:50 20:50
14:00 14:50		Flex Option Active Listening	Flex Option Fluency Practice	Flex Option Pronunciation Clinic

How do I move up an English level?

To make sure your English classes are challenging and suited to your ability, you are assessed throughout the course. The standard of your classwork and your test results at the end of each 5-week session help determine your next class level. Each level is 10 weeks long, but there is flexibility to move up at the end of every five weeks depending on your individual performance.

Is higher education your goal?

When you begin your studies in General English, after a minimum five weeks of study at Lower Intermediate level you can take the Academic English entry test. Successful completion of the Academic English Program prepares you for higher education in Australia.

2021 Session Dates – start any Mondays
1 February, 8 March, 12 April, 17 May, 21 June, 26 July, 30 August, 5 October*, 8 November and 13 December**

*Tuesday start date due to a public holiday.

**Includes 1 week UEC Christmas holiday.