Study in Australia
Studying in Australia is very different from some other overseas countries, particularly countries that do not have a Western Academic tradition.
In some courses you will not write as much as you may be used to because the emphasis will be on speaking English and on listening to and understanding English when it is being spoken. This is the case in General English where all skills are covered but there is more speaking and listening. Teachers may ask you to work together with one or more other students, talking together, solving problems and working in groups. This is part of the Communicative teaching method where you actually have to use English to communicate with your classmates. In academic courses like EAP or HSP there will be a strong emphasis on skills needed for University, TAFE, Vocational course and High School while exam preparation programs will focus on the skills you need to successfully complete these exams. Business and IT courses will require you to apply your English skills in all areas with an emphasis on the content of your courses.
One thing that is very important about studying in Australia is that
plagiarism (copying) is not acceptable. Plagiarism is taking and
using as your own, the thoughts and writings of another. It is
sometimes difficult for students to understand that plagiarism is
seen as academic misconduct and that it can lead to failure in a
course. You will find that there is less memorising required of you
and more thinking and judging.
Teachers will ask you to speak in class and they will expect you to “approach your studies with a critical and questioning mind.
You will be asked to discuss topics, think about issues surrounding topics, then form your own opinions and defend those opinions both in the spoken and written form. Your teacher will want to know what YOU think and feel. You will also learn about very practical issues that will help you to adjust to Australian culture. (For example, you will learn how to ‘catch a train’, which name is appropriate to offer in conversation, how to fill out forms and other practical matters). These topics are teaching you English.
You and your teacher will go out of the classroom together and this will benefit you in practising English as well as learning more about Australian culture. You will use these short trips and excursions to practise the skills required, to complete tasks set. Enjoy this new challenge in your life and try to adjust to thinking for yourself, expressing your opinions, asking questions and speaking a lot of English.
So....the challenge you face is not just ‘learning English’. You must learn to adjust to the new style of teaching and learning too.
