Primary school students
Acquiring and developing English language skills forms part of primary schooling in Victoria for all students.
Most international students will receive English language learning during classes at the school where they are enrolled. Therefore, enrolling in an intensive English language program is not required for primary school in Victoria.
All primary school international students are assessed when they arrive to enure classes can be adapted to their individual learning needs. School staff will discuss with parents or guardians when a student needs intensive English language studies which will occur at school or at a specialised English language centre or school nearby.
Secondary school students
Study Abroad, Dependant and Temporary secondary students
The following secondary students generally do not need to intensive English language classes before starting mainstream school depending on an assessment of the student’s learning abilities when they arrive at school:
- Study Abroad students (i.e. students enrolling for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months)
- Dependant students (i.e. children accompanying their parents studying in a Victorian tertiary institution)
- Temporary students (i.e. students enrolling for 8 to 12 weeks).
School staff will discuss with parents or guardians when a secondary student needs intensive English language studies which will occur at school or at a specialised English language centre or school nearby.
To find out which type of student application is relevant, see: Application Types summary.
English language requirements
To meet the minimum English language requirements, standard students must provide documented evidence that the student has:
- been taught at a school for at least 2 years where English is the primary language of instruction; or
- achieved the below results in an English language test:
| | Years 7, 8, 9 | Year 10 | Year 11, 12 |
|---|
| IELTS or IELTS indicator** |
5.0
|
5.5
|
6.0
|
|---|
| AEAS |
46-56
|
57-66
|
67 and above
|
|---|
| TOEFL iBT or Special Home Edition** |
35-45
|
46-59
|
60-78
|
|---|
| TOEFL Essentials |
5.75
|
5.75
|
7.5
|
|---|
| EIKEN |
Grade 3
|
Grade 3
|
Grade 2A
|
|---|
| iDAT |
60-70%
|
60-70%
|
70-80%
|
|---|
| PTE academic |
29-36
|
36-46
|
47 and above
|
|---|
| Cambridge B2 for schools |
154-162
|
162-168
|
169 and above
|
|---|
| English-taught students |
Student has been taught at school where English is the primary language of instruction for at least 2 years
|
|---|
| Successful completion of English language program | If the above requirements cannot be met, applicants can choose to undertake one of the following to meet their English language requirements: - undertake English language studies in a Victoria government school as part of their course, if available
- undertake an English language course in Victoria through another CRICOS-registered provider, face to face only.
The duration of English language provision will normally be 20 or 21 weeks (two terms), depending on when the student commences the school year. |
|---|
Our English Language Centres
The intensive English language program is offered onsite at the many English Language Centres (ELCs) located at:
An intensive English language program means:
- you can focus on improving your English language skills in a short period of time
- you'll practise speaking, listening, reading and writing in English so you're prepared for the mainstream classes
- individualised teaching by qualified teachers trained in teaching English to students from multicultural backgrounds.
If you enrol as a standard secondary student, the process for an ELC program is:
- where available the department and your host school will recommend your ELC on the basis of where you'll be living and going to school
- your Letter of Offer will tell you about your ELC
- your host school International Student Coordinator will be in close contact to help you whilst you undertake your English language studies
- you'll be in a small class, ranging from 2 to 15 students
- you can receive additional support provided by multicultural aides for the classroom and individuals
- plus, your ELC will help you learn English through a range of engaging interactive and digital teaching methods.
After completing the intensive English language program, you will then study English as an Additional Language (EAL) as part of your other mainstream classes.
Intensive English or EAL
English language skills can help you succeed in gaining entry to a quality high school, vocational education provider or university education.
Many of our international students study EAL as one of their mainstream classes.
An EAL subject as one of your mainstream subjects offers you:
- access to a range of additional English language support at school to help achieve academic success
- options for excursions, in Melbourne or any of our student cities across Victoria, which will help you understand the English language and Australian culture
- the opportunity to make lifelong friends and settle into Australia.
How we teach EAL
English language support and teaching is specifically designed for students from multicultural backgrounds. EAL is taught in our mainstream classes through:
- the core curriculum in your school, offering a specialist EAL subject
- tutoring, homework clubs, lunchtime and after-school English programs
- specialist programs to meet your needs, across all mainstream classes and subjects.
