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CRICOS Course Code 076089B
The English for Higher Education (EHE) program is accredited by NEAS Australia and approved as an ELICOS course by ASQA. It is designed to allow international students to improve their English language skills for variety of purposes. Especially, it is for students who want to maximize their language learning and practices during their preparation for college or university studies. The program aims at providing students with different opportunities, in and out of the classroom, to learn daily language at the lower levels (Levels 1-4) and move to academic English for higher education study (Levels 5-6).
The program focuses equally on all skills, i.e. Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking, and the lessons are divided among the various skills. The weekly modules of our own curriculum put special emphases on vocabulary, grammar and pronunciations. Many different themes such as ‘Working Life’ and ‘Life Stories’ will also provide opportunities to learn the local culture and society.
Teachers will include various learning activities, inside and outside the classroom, to ensure the highest involvement and interaction of the students. Ultimately, the assignments and assessments will demonstrate the students’ improvement in their English language skills.
The program has six levels and their entry and exit levels are presented in the following table (Table 1). Entry and exit marks are showed in equivalent IELTS* scores.
Table 1: Entry and Exit English Proficiency Level
Level | Level Name | Entry Level | Exit Level |
1 | Beginner (currently not offered) | ü Official IELTS* score 3.0 or below ü UPC English Placement Test (EPT) with a grade below 20% | ü IELTS equivalent 3.5 ü UPC Beginner level Pass |
2 | Elementary | ü Official IELTS score 3.5 ü UPC EPT with a grade from 20% to 30% ü UPC Beginner level with a Pass grade or higher | ü IELTS equivalent 4.0 ü UPC Elementary level Pass |
3 | Pre-Intermediate | ü Official IELTS score 4.0 ü UPC EPT with a grade from 31% to 50% ü UPC Elementary level with a Pass grade or higher | ü IELTS equivalent 4.5 ü UPC Pre-Intermediate level Pass |
4 | Intermediate | ü Official IELTS score 4.5 ü UPC EPT with a grade from 51% to 60% ü UPC Pre-Intermediate level with a Pass grade or higher | ü IELTS equivalent 5.0 ü UPC Intermediate level Pass |
5 | Upper Intermediate (EAP1)** | ü Official IELTS score 5.0 ü UPC EPT with a grade from 61% to 80% ü UPC Intermediate level with a Pass grade or higher | ü IELTS equivalent 5.5 ü UPC EAP1 Pass |
6 | Advanced (EAP2)** | Official IELTS score 5.5 UPC EPT with a grade over 81% UPC Upper Intermediate level with a Pass grade or higher | IELTS equivalent 6.0 UPC EAP2 Pass |
* IELTS Trademark **English for Academic Purposes
The student will be able to perform specific skills after completing each level (Refer to Appendix A at the end of this page)
Students can enter the program at different entry points depending on their English proficiency level.
Students can access all course learning and assessment materials using our e-Learning system.
Textbooks used for ELICOS courses include:
UPC English for Higher Education (Elementary to Advanced Levels) – Modules 1-9.
They are the main teaching materials which will be used daily to help students obtain knowledge and practice their language skills. Students will be asked to do exercises in class and complete homework.
Additional teaching material: Teachers may substitute some textbook content with suitable supplementary materials, which might facilitate their teaching practices and motivate students.
Students will have to spend 20 hours of classes per week for full term (5 hours each day). Besides, students will need time to prepare for classes, do homework, and review lessons.
Students are required to attend all classes to make daily progress and improve necessary English knowledge and skills. The UPC set the rule for students to maintain class attendance at a minimum of 80%. This is a student visa requirement and will be strictly observed and reported.
In case of illness or other circumstances, students can be absent from classes. However, it is advised that students should attend at least 75% of the course and provide appropriate documentary evidence for their absence.
Students are advised to go to class on time. Similarly, they cannot leave early but stay in the class until it is over.
There are two class sessions in a day, which is 2.5 hour each. If students are more than 10 minutes late to a session, they will be marked absent for that contact hour. If students leave a session more than 10 minutes early, they will also be marked absent for that particular session.
There will be two full day excursions in Weeks 4 and 8. If students do not participate in these excursions, they will be marked absent for the whole day. The excursion dates and activities will be informed during the course.
Students are assessed based on their weekly performance and results obtained from Mid-course and End-of-course exams. Week 5 is for Mid-course exam and Week 10 is for End-of-course exam.
Table 2: Assessment
Types of Assessment | Methods/English language skills | Value of Assessment |
Ongoing Assessment Weeks 1-9
| One mark per skill (total 4 marks for four language skills) | 20% |
Mid-course exams Week 5 | All four skills | 40% |
End-of-course exams Week 10 | All four skills
| 40% |
Total |
| 100% |
Assessment Methods
On successful completion of each level, students will be issued with a certificate showing their English proficiency level. The certificate will be valid for 2 years.
Pass the course: Students must obtain 50% or more in three of the four skills. One skill may be in the 45% – 49% range. The overall grade must be 50% or over. Each of the four exams is of equal weighting.
If failing the course: Students are required to repeat the whole course for 10 weeks. In the repeat class, students will be marked again because no previous marks will be used.
Internal pathway: Student works at their own speed and move forward when the assessments are satisfactory.
VET and higher education pathways: All VET colleges and a large number of Australian higher education providers accept UPC English results for entering into their courses.
UPC campus is fully equipped with required facilities including modern computers with internet access, data projector, printing and photocopying facility, a mini kitchen and common area.
International students are permitted to have paid employment during your study in Australia: 48 hours per fortnight (every two weeks) during study term and no hour limit during term breaks or holidays.
Beginner (currently not offered)
ü use basic grammar
ü write alphabet and simple words
ü use key vocabulary
ü learn skills to deal with simple social situations
English for English for Higher Education – Level 1 (EHE1) Program is a ten-week course, which is designed for students with limited English competence. Those students who have 50% pass in EPFS 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 high A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Specifically, students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of familiar everyday words and phrases and show ability to make simple interaction with native English speaker.
On successful completion of this course, students will achieve an overall English language proficiency of Basic User (high/full A1 level) with following outcomes:
|
Listening |
ü demonstrate an ability to understand phrases and expressions of speech related to frequently used topics of daily life, for example personal information, family, shopping. ü demonstrate an ability to identify the main content of short, simple and clearly delivered messages. |
|
Reading |
ü demonstrate an ability to read and comprehend very short and simple texts of familiar forms. ü demonstrate an ability to identify the gist of simple materials related to daily issues, for example timetables, menus, advertisements. |
|
Speaking |
ü demonstrate an ability to produce simple structures in familiar contexts. ü demonstrate an ability to make short, informal performances in daily contexts and activities. |
|
Writing |
ü demonstrate an ability to write simple phrases and sentences on familiar topics with reasonable degree of accuracy. ü demonstrate an ability to do form filling with personal details. |
English for English for Higher Education – Level 2 (EHE2) Program is a ten-week course, which is designed for students with overall English proficiency of beginner Basic User (high A1 level) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Those students who have 50% pass in EHE1 program at the UPC or appropriate placement test result will be accepted for enrolment in this course. The course aims to help students improve their current English competence at A1 level into A2 level of the CEFR. Specifically, students will be able to understand commonly used expressions related to familiar and routine issues (for example personal information, family, free time, shopping, employment, geography), and develop communication requiring simple and direct exchange of information on day-to-day topics.
On successful completion of this course, students achieve an overall English language proficiency of Basic User (A2 level) with following outcomes:
|
Listening |
ü demonstrate an ability to understand phrases and expressions of clear and slowly delivered speech on familiar topics. ü demonstrate an ability to understand enough information to identify the topic of discussion of a concrete and complex types of speech. ü demonstrate an ability to follow and understand the main ideas in TV news programs and short recorded passages. |
|
Reading |
ü demonstrate an ability to read and understand the content of short, simple written materials on familiar topics such as advertisements, prospectuses, brochures, menus and timetables. ü demonstrate an ability to identify specific information of newspapers, articles, personal letters. |
|
Speaking |
ü demonstrate an ability to communicate in a simple way by asking and answering simple questions relating to familiar topics and activities such as family, jobs, and living conditions. ü demonstrate an ability to manage short and simple interactions with reasonable ease but find it difficult to understand fully conversations. |
|
Writing |
ü demonstrate an ability to produce short and simple written texts relating to familiar topics. ü demonstrate an ability to use simple phrases and sentences in writing. ü demonstrate and ability to write thank-you and apology letters. |
English for English for Higher Education – Level 3 (EHE3) Program is a ten-week course, which is designed for students with English proficiency of Basic User (A2 level) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Those students who have 50% pass in EHE2 program at the UPC or appropriate placement test result will be accepted for enrolment in this course. The course aims to help students improve their current English proficiency at A2 level into B1 level of the CEFR. Specifically, students will develop communication skills and be able to deal with most situations arising when using English. They will be able to understand the main points of the conversations and express ideas on topics of interest and familiar issues encountered at work, school, leisure time, etc.
On successful completion of this course, students achieve an overall English language proficiency of beginner Independent User (B1 level) with following outcomes:
|
Listening |
ü demonstrate an ability to understand the main points of clear speech on familiar topics and personal field of interest. ü demonstrate an ability to follow and understand the content information of extended speech, recorded audio materials, and TV programs delivered in clear and slow method. |
|
Reading |
ü demonstrate an ability to understand clearly written texts on subjects regarding familiar topics and those of personal interest. ü demonstrate an ability to identify significant points of long and complicated texts and read straightforward newspapers or instructions. |
|
Speaking |
ü demonstrate an ability to communicate with some confidence on familiar topics and those of personal interest and professional field. ü demonstrate an ability to express thoughts on unfamiliar and more complex topics such as cultural topics. ü demonstrate an ability to use the target language in most situations. ü demonstrate an ability to follow and maintain most conversations as well as perform unpreparedly on familiar themes. |
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Writing |
ü demonstrate an ability to produce straightforward documents on familiar topics and those of personal interests. ü demonstrate an ability to provide information and ideas on unfamiliar and abstract topics with reasonable precision. ü demonstrate an ability to write personal letters presenting information about impressions and experiences. |
English for Academic Purposes (EAP1) Program 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.
On successful completion of this course, students achieve an overall English language proficiency of low Independent User (B2 level) with following outcomes:
|
Listening |
ü demonstrate a range of listening strategies to elucidate meaning from a variety auditory texts, including dialogues, procedures, directions, lectures, radio programs, podcasts, documentaries. ü demonstrate an ability to follow and interpret meaning in informal spoken exchanges, formal spoken exchanges, monologic presentations, interactive contexts, and non-interactive contexts. |
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Reading |
ü demonstrate a range of reading strategies to understand and interpret academic texts. ü demonstrate an ability to use a range of prediction strategies and discrimination skills to read effectively. ü demonstrate an ability to read and interpret and describe a range of texts in accordance with a given reading purpose. ü demonstrate an ability to manage new vocabulary. |
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Speaking |
ü demonstrate a range of speaking strategies to produce spoken text in both familiar and unfamiliar topics with a degree of fluency and spontaneity. ü demonstrate an ability to participate in both formal and informal spoken exchanges with clear presentation and detailed descriptions. ü demonstrate an ability to make an extended PowerPoint presentation. |
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Writing |
ü demonstrate a variety of strategies to produce academic texts on various subjects related to familiar and unfamiliar topics. ü demonstrate an ability to use appropriate text type / structure / genre according to audience / purpose. ü demonstrate an ability to use a range of sentence types appropriately to construct paragraphs appropriately ü demonstrate an ability to develop academic vocabulary. ü demonstrate an ability to write explanation essay / discussion essay / argument essay / autobiography. ü design and write survey / academic report on survey data / write short answers ü demonstrate an ability to use reference appropriately. |
English for English for Academic Purposes (EAP2) Program 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 EAP1 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 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.
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 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 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. ✔ 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 expand and support viewpoints with critical reasons and relevant examples. |