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New cities, modern infrastructures, kilometric beaches, awesome wild animals, endless rainforest, the vast Australian Outback, diving in the Great Barrier Reef… We think this should be enough to make you jump on a plane and come to Australia, but just in case you are still hesitant about it, let us give you some tips about what to expect when studying English in Australia.
Teachers…
Will my teachers be any good? English teachers from all over the world come to Australia to teach for multiple reasons (see paragraph above), which means that you will get the best of every place. You will learn the insights of English grammar thanks to the British teachers; they are so dedicated that there is no excuse for you not to learn. If you are lucky enough to have a teacher from Canada or US, get ready to discover a new accent! They love to share their little pieces of slang and they always bring funny stories from their home country.
Navitas School, Sydney
Be prepared to learn as much as you can from your “local” teachers. Australian English teachers are so funny! They are used to dealing with students from all over the world, so they can figure out what you say regardless how funny (and exotic) your accent might be. They always have a joke to share, they love a good laugh in class and something else that is really important: they can fill your notebook with the best secrets of the city. Do not miss that opportunity!
Where to…
Regardless which city is your choice, when studying English in Australia you need to take advantage of the fun activities that your school provides the students with. If you are in Melbourne, you could be visiting the Great Ocean Road and the Twelve Apostles with a good bunch of friends. In Sydney we think that taking the train up to the Blue Mountains is just a must.
The Three Sister, Blue Mountains. NSW
I still remember that Thursday when I was in class learning some phrasal verbs. I was so happy to know that in the afternoon we would all go together to Fraser Island, the biggest sand island in the world, to spend one of the best weekends of my life. Your time in Australia will be full of unforgettable experiences with your classmates.
What to study…
The schools have a great variety of courses, but let me give you some advice.
- If your English is not that good, you probably want to choose a General English Course. This type of course will set you up for the daily life activities out of the school and will certainly make you feel safer with your English skills.
- Cambridge: You might have heard of the First or Advance Certificates. They are very popular and, especially in Europe, they are the proof of level that many companies ask for when they recruit staff.
- IELTS: Not that famous worldwide, but if you are thinking about extending your time in Australia, a good mark in this certificate will give you access to study in the university, or to apply for a work visa
There is something else you should know when studying English in Australia. It will take place in your English School and it will leave you speechless: A Barbecue!!! Or a “barbie”, as they say here. Especially if you are around for Australia Day (26th of January), get ready to have a break in your intensive studies to enjoy a good sausage and some lamb chops! This is one of the biggest traditions among students.
