What We Do and Offer
Chinese中文 / English英文 / Japanese日本
We provide a unique University of Melbourne and Australian experience through a combination of academic, cultural and support services.
- We are responsible for all program logistics. Our staff are on hand to coordinate and oversee the programs as they run.
- We provide high level student support. Our staff have counselling and student support training and are at all times available to students for assistance which enables organisations to send students without support staff or chaperones.
Services
- academic content (lectures, seminars, workshops, field study) tailored to suit interests and needs of the client
- accommodation services (apartment, dorm, residential college [dependant on availability], Homestay [recommended for language students])
- Homestay recruitment, matching, and support
- ESL teaching (hours, level and class sizes as required),
- teaching spaces and equipment
- materials and handbooks
- fieldtrips and excursions (day trips, overnight or longer)
- internship/volunteer experiences
- airport transfers
- welcome and farewell events
- pastoral care (24-hour emergency contact; check-ins, general student support),
Programs can be made up of any of the above components (or others upon request), although with ESL programs we generally require that it be part of an overall academic or cultural program (to distinguish us from a language-school), and do recommend Homestay accommodation for language immersion.
English as Second Language (ESL) instruction for group
Benefits of the intensive English language course include:
- small class sizes
- specialist teachers of English as a Second language
- emphasis on communicating in spoken English
- exploration of local customs and attitudes
- informal meetings with Australian students
Students are tested individually and a formal examination is available at the end of the course. All students completing a program are awarded a certificate from The University of Melbourne at a graduation ceremony.
Excursions
The excursions run by the Australian Centre are designed to introduce students to the city of Melbourne and to complement the English language course. Each excursion program is tailored to meet the needs of individual universities and provides a focus for each group. Depending on the individual needs of each group, excursions may be accompanied by an interpreter arranged by the Australian Centre. Activities range from visiting museums, art galleries and historic buildings to participating in Aboriginal activities, visiting gold mining towns, bush-walking and seeing a working farm.
Exisiting Program Modules
- Intensive ESL programs with additional appropriately levelled academic content as required. Includes homestay and some cultural/educational-tourism components (e.g., Art Gallery, Museum, 'bush camps', day trips etc. ).
- Academic enhancement programs: run for University of Melbourne enrolled Study Abroad student groups (i.e., College of the Holy Cross; Villanova). Involves coordination of additional customised academic content (course) and assessment, lead by academic staff member. Run as short-term intensive or across academic semester/year. Credited by home institution.
- Introduction to the University of Melbourne: short-term (generally 3-5 days) intensive program for upper level secondary students from international institutions interested in what it is like to study at the University of Melbourne. Program introduces students to University services as well as lectures, tutorials, seminars and field work. It aims to expose students to a range of disciplinary content and analysis as well as teaching them about academic expectations. Students are required to complete set readings, participate in classes and complete a piece of assessment. Program also designed to profile the University of Melbourne and encourage students to consider it as a real option for their tertiary study.
- 'Summer' Programs: Customised 4-6 week academic programs running over the Northern Hemisphere Summer including development of academic course content and delivery, accommodation, field trips, excursions, course materials, teaching spaces and equipment, day-to-day coordination, events, student support.
Study Abroad Enhancement: Semester-long programs for study abroad groups/cohorts (e.g., IES) include provision of individual and cohort pastoral care (including 24-hour support and counselling), pre-departure advice and support, arrival services, accommodation liaison and coordination, orientation program, field trips, academic support and advice, cultural events, integration services, re-entry workshops.