OTHER INFORMATION

Information about ELC, UTAS, Tasmania and more...

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Tasmania?

  • About an hour from Melbourne by plane, it’s about twice the size of Taiwan and about the same size as Sri Lanka or Ireland. The population is half a million.
  • It is a very beautiful island with a great lifestyle. There’s no over crowding, no pollution, no traffic jams and it has the cleanest air in the world!
  • Launceston and Hobart have restaurants, markets, hospitals, casinos, nightclubs, shops, sport and recreational facilities.

For more information please see the About Tasmania section of the International Services website.

Are the staff qualified and experienced?

  • Yes! All the teachers have TESOL teaching qualifications.
  • We have teachers who speak Japanese, Spanish, Indonesian, French, Italian, German and Korean.

How many students are in each class?

The maximum number is 18 but the average number is 15 in each class.

What help is there for students?

A lot! If students need information about banking, visas, work permits, drivers’ licences, university clubs, your study progress, or living in Hobart or Launceston – we give students the help and information needed.

Is there an Airport Pick-up service?

  • Yes. We meet students at the airport in Launceston or Hobart and take them to their accommodation. This is a free service.

What facilities do the English Language Centres have?

  • A 24-hour access PC lab
  • Self-study room
  • Use of all University facilities including shops, doctors, travel agency, a bank, restaurant/cafes, sports centre, clubs, and the University libraries.

Are there different kinds of classes?

Yes, there are. Check under Courses for more information about the kinds of classes.

What class will I be in?

This depends on your English language skills and whether you will study General or Academic English. Teachers will decide on your class when you arrive.

How can I move to a different or harder class?

Every five weeks students will do some language tests and then the teachers decide if you will move up to the next level. Most students need to stay at the same level for at least 5 weeks before moving to a different class.

What is the Teaching Method?

  • A coursebook is used for some part of some lessons, but not always and sometimes not a lot.
  • A variety of teaching materials (newspapers, TV programs, the internet) are used.
  • There are lessons in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, learning what to say in various situations, listening to English, dictation, reading and writing skills.
  • Students learn English in different ways, so a variety of teaching/learning methods are used. These can include listening to guest speakers, going on excursions with teachers, visiting schools, interviewing Australians at the university, using grammar games – a lot of different things.
  • Students must use only English in the classrooms and they should use it outside the classroom as much as possible.
  • Every week students write to their teachers and the teachers reply every week.

Launceston or Hobart?

  • Both centres have the same qualified teachers, the same facilities, the same teaching and testing methods but timetables and options classes may be different.
  • Both centres offer IELTS test preparation and have teachers who are experienced IELTS examiners.