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PREPARATION FOR IELTS

CRICOS Course Code 076372K

Course Descriptions and Outcomes

Apart from ELICOS, University Preparation College provides the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) courses for students who want to better equip themselves for the IELTS test. It is recommended for students who aim at a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 for entry to the local VET programs or a minimum of 6.0/6.5 for a university degree, depending on the types of program. It also suits those who look for post-study training in Australia or target immigration, which requires a minimum of 6.0. The course focuses on the skills, strategies and practices for all Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking papers, and the lessons are divided into a proportion based on the learners’ needs. With the help of the vast amount of practice papers and official papers, students will become familiar with the themes commonly employed in the past tests. The course teachers are experienced in catering the personal needs of the potential test-takers, and they provide the best advice and support for the students.

The IELTS courses will prepare students for the IELTS Academic examination with confidence and achieving the learning target. Those students who have requested to articulate into other higher education programs (Bachelor degree or higher) are expected to perform according to required standards assessed and measured against international recognised English language proficiency benchmarking systems, for example CEFR, IELTS, and Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE). These ratings are decided following student performance in formative and summative assessment throughout the course.

IELTS courses and learning outcomes

The student will be able to perform specific skills after completing each level (Refer to Appendix A at the end of this page).

  • IELTS 5.5
  • IELTS 6.0
  • IELTS 6.5
  • IELTS 7.0 Plus

 

Total Volume of Learning

Students are expected to spend between 30 to 35 hours per week studying for each IELTS course. Here is how the recommended hours are worked out.

Training

 

 

  • Students will attend classes for 20 hours per week, and
  • Student’s attendance is strictly monitored. The teacher will mark student’s attendance and it is advised to attend classes at least 16 hours per week.

Self-study

On top of the weekly training contact hours, students are expected to invest up to 15 hours per week on self-study such as:

  • preparing your lesson before classes,
  • reviewing and consolidating your lesson after classes,
  • reading references,
  • doing research, etc.

Students are recommended to understand their course more deeply and are ready for assessment

Assessment

Students will be assessed in class every week from Week 1 to Week 9 through ongoing assessment and by exam in Week 10.

Teaching Materials

Set textbooks:

  • UPC English for Higher Education (Elementary to Advanced Levels) – Modules 1-9.
  • Complete IELTS – Bands 6.5 to 7.5, Cambridge University Press.

Additional teaching materials:

  • Target Band 7 – IELTS Academic Module – How to Maximise Your Scores, Simone Braverman.
  • IELTS Practice Test Plus 2- Pearson Education Publisher.
  • Cambridge Practice Test for IELTS 1-12, Cambridge University Press.
  • Teachers may choose any suitable supplementary materials, which might facilitate their teaching practices and motivate students.

Learning Location

Sydney City Campus: Ground Floor, 1-5 Randle Street, Surry Hills, 2010.

Timetable Sample

Day/Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9am-11.30am Weekly test correction and feedback Listening activities Writing practice and feedback Reading and vocabulary Writing practice and feedback
11.30am - 12.30pm Break
12.30am-3.00pm Reading and vocabulary Speaking and Pronunciation Grammar support and extension Listening activities (1) Weekly Mock Test IELTS 7 Plus Practice (2) Formative assessment
Homework Reading Comprehension (Read Books / Newspapers / Articles) Listening and Note Taking (Watch TV News) Grammar Exercises Converting Notes into Writing Revision for Formative assessment Reading Comprehension (Read Books / Newspapers / Articles)

Appendix A: Learning Outcomes of Each Level

IELTS 5.5

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 5.5 is a ten-week course, which is designed for students with overall English proficiency of beginner Independent User (B1 level) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Those students who have 50% pass in EHE3 program at the UPC or appropriate placement test result will be accepted for enrolment in this course. The course aims to help students make progress in their English learning up to B2 level of the CEFR. Specifically, students will be able to understand the main points of complicated texts and make clear discussion on a wide range of subjects. They will be able to communicate in English with a degree of fluency and without strain.

 

The IELTS 5.5 course offers a comprehensive introduction to the IELTS test, with 200 hours of intensive learning. The course content includes the teaching of test practice strategies skills for all areas of the IELTS exam, including Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. It also covers sub-skills such as academic vocabulary, self-evaluation, critical thinking, time management, etc.

Course Prerequisite

    • The result of an IELTS exam corresponds to 5.0 overall. 
    • The result of a Placement Test corresponds to B1 level defined on the CEFR.
    • 50% pass in EHE3 course.

Expected Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students achieve an overall English language proficiency of low Independent User (B2 level) with following outcomes:

Listening

✔ Demonstrate a range of listening strategies to elucidate meaning from a variety auditory texts, including dialogues, procedures, directions, lectures, radio programs, podcasts, documentaries.
✔ Demonstrate an ability to follow and interpret meaning in informal spoken exchanges, formal spoken exchanges, monologic presentations, interactive contexts, and non-interactive contexts.

Reading

✔ Demonstrate a range of reading strategies to understand and interpret academic texts.
✔ Demonstrate an ability to use a range of prediction strategies and discrimination skills to read effectively.

✔ Demonstrate an ability to read and interpret and describe a range of texts in accordance with a given reading purpose.

✔ Demonstrate an ability to manage new vocabulary.

Speaking

✔ Demonstrate a range of speaking strategies to produce spoken text in both familiar and unfamiliar topics with a degree of fluency and spontaneity.

✔ Demonstrate an ability to participate in both formal and informal spoken exchanges with clear presentation and detailed descriptions.

✔ Demonstrate an ability make an extended PowerPoint presentation.

Writing

✔ Demonstrate a variety of strategies to produce academic texts on various subjects related to familiar and unfamiliar topics.

✔ Demonstrate an ability to use appropriate text type / structure / genre according to audience / purpose.

✔ Demonstrate an ability to use a range of sentence types appropriately to construct paragraphs appropriately.

✔ Demonstrate an ability to develop academic vocabulary.

✔ Demonstrate an ability to write explanation essay / discussion essay / argument essay / autobiography.

✔ Design and write survey / academic report on survey data / write short answers.
✔ Demonstrate an ability to use reference appropriately.

IELTS 6.0

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 is a ten-week course, which is designed for students with overall English proficiency of Independent User (B1 level) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Those students who have 50% pass in IELTS 5.5 or EAP1 course at the UPC or appropriate placement test result will be accepted for enrolment in this course. The course aims to help students make progress in their English learning up to full B2 level of the CEFR. Specifically, students will be able to understand the main ideas of complicated texts and make clear discussion on a wide range of both concrete and abstract subjects. They will be able to communicate in English with a degree of fluency and without strain.

The IELTS 6.0 course offers a comprehensive introduction to the IELTS test, with 200 hours of intensive learning. The course content includes the teaching of test practice strategies skills for all areas of the IELTS exam, including Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. It also covers sub-skills such as academic vocabulary, self-evaluation, critical thinking, time management, etc.

Course Prerequisite

    • The result of an IELTS exam corresponds to 5.5 overall. 
    • The result of a Placement Test corresponds to high B1 level defined on the CEFR.
    • 50% pass in IELTS 5.5 or EAP1 course.

Expected Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students achieve an overall English language proficiency of full Independent User (B2 level) with following outcomes:

Listening

✔ demonstrate a range of strategies to understand spoken language on both familiar and unfamiliar topics related to general, vocational, or academic life. 
✔ demonstrate an ability to follow lectures, academic talks, reports, documentaries and extended speech.

Reading

✔ demonstrate a range of strategies to read with a large degree of independence, using a broad active reading vocabulary.

✔ demonstrate an ability to understand the essential meaning of complex texts on a range of professional topics.

Speaking

✔ demonstrate a range of strategies to speak fluently, accurately, and effectively on general, vocational or academic topics.
✔ demonstrate an ability to communicate spontaneously using a range of vocabulary, connectives and discourse markers, and good grammar control.
✔ demonstrate an ability to speak at length and make clear relationships between ideas.

Writing

✔ demonstrate a variety of strategies to write clear, detailed texts on a range of familiar and unfamiliar topics.
✔ demonstrate an ability to develop clear argument, explaining and supporting viewpoints at length with relevant ideas and examples.
✔ demonstrate an ability to produce academic reports, synthesising information from a number of sources.
✔ demonstrate an ability to use reference appropriately.

IELTS 6.5

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5 is a ten-week course, which is designed for students with English proficiency of IELTS 6.0 overall or Independent Users (B2 level) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Those students who have appropriate placement test result will be accepted for enrolment in this course. The course aims to help students improve their current English proficiency to IELTS 6.5 overall or B2+/C1 level of the CEFR. Specifically, students will be able to understand a wide range of complicated spoken and written topics, both specific and implicit meaning. They can use English as a means in communication with native speakers fluently and spontaneously.

The IELTS 6.5 course offers a comprehensive introduction to the IELTS test, with 200 hours of intensive learning. The course content includes the teaching of test practice strategies skills for all areas of the IELTS exam, including Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. It also covers sub-skills such as academic vocabulary, self-evaluation, critical thinking, time management, etc.

Course Prerequisite

    • The result of an IELTS exam corresponds to 6.0 overall.
    • The result of a Placement Test corresponds to beginner B2 level defined on the CEFR.
    • Obtain Pass grade (50%) in EAP2 course.

Expected Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you achieve an overall English language proficiency of beginner Proficient User (C1 level) with following outcomes:

Listening

✔ demonstrate a range of listening strategies to understand the main ideas of a variety auditory sources, live or broadcast, for example conversations, discussions, lectures, debates, TV programs on both concrete and abstract topics.
✔ demonstrate ability to follow extended talks, reports, and other forms of auditory presentations.

Reading

✔ demonstrate a range of strategies to read and understand in detail various complex texts relating to learners’ fields as well as read with independence on topics outside his/her area of interest and grasp almost content.
✔ demonstrate ability to quickly identify main points and obtain detailed information from the lengthy and complicated texts.

Speaking

✔ demonstrate a range of speaking strategies to communicate fluently and effectively in various interactions. 

demonstrate ability to understand in detail complicated and abstract topics and easily to follow and exchange information on the full range of matters.

Writing

✔ demonstrate a range of strategies to create academic writing effectively on familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
✔ demonstrate ability to perform ideas and opinions with clarity and precision as well as develop an argument thoroughly with important viewpoints.

IELTS 7.0 Plus

IELTS 7 Plus is a ten-week course, which is designed for students with English proficiency of IELTS 6.5 overall or Independent Users (B2 level) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Those students who have appropriate placement test result will be accepted for enrolment in this course. The course aims to help students improve their current English proficiency to IELTS 7.5 overall or C1 level of the CEFR. Specifically, students will develop communication skills and be able to perform well in most situations with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies, in-appropriacies and misunderstandings. They will be able to understand the detailed content of conversations and handle complex language.

The IELTS 7 Plus course offers a comprehensive introduction to the IELTS test, with 200 hours of intensive learning. The course content includes the teaching of test practice strategies skills for all areas of the IELTS exam, including Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. It also covers sub-skills such as academic vocabulary, self evaluation, critical thinking, time management, etc.

Course Prerequisite

  • The result of an IELTS exam corresponds to 6.5 overall. 
  • The result of a Placement Test corresponds to B2 level defined on the CEFR.
  • Obtain Pass grade (50%) in IELTS 6.5 course.

Expected Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, you achieve an overall English language proficiency of full Proficient User (C1 level) with following outcomes:

 

Listening

✔ Demonstrate a range of listening strategies to understand the meaning of spoken language on both familiar and unfamiliar topics from a variety auditory sources, including interactions, discussions, debates, lectures, recorded and broadcast material, etc.
✔ Demonstrate ability to recognise a range of colloquialisms and idiomatic expressions.

✔ Demonstrate ability to follow complex interactions although they are not clearly structured and sometimes expressed implicitly.

Reading

✔ Demonstrate a range of reading strategies to understand in detail complex texts on both familiar and unfamiliar topics.
✔ Demonstrate ability to read with independence and develop interpretation skills when working with implicit texts.

✔ Possess a broad and active vocabulary.

Speaking

✔ Demonstrate a range of strategies to speak fluently and spontaneously without much sign of having difficulty.

✔ Demonstrate ability to understand in detail speech and on both familiar and unfamiliar topics.

✔ Demonstrate ability to follow and perform well in interactions by giving appropriate ideas and opinions.

Writing

✔ Demonstrate a range of strategies to produce clear and well-structured academic texts on both familiar and unfamiliar topics.
✔ Demonstrate ability to give detailed expositions and presentations with significant points and an appropriate conclusion.

✔ Demonstrate ability to expand and support viewpoints with critical reasons and relevant examples.

Please be advised that UPC campus operations (both Sydney & Melbourne campuses) will be closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays from Monday, 23 Dec 2024 to Sunday, 5 Jan 2025. We will reopen and resume normal operations on Monday, 6 Jan 2025.
Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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