Which English course is right for me?

Did you know there are over 1000 English language courses on offer in Australia? And while that means there’s no shortage of options available, it can make choosing the right course a challenge.

So how do you know which course will suit your needs? Let’s look at how to narrow down the choices and find an English language course that’s right for you.

Why do you need English?

People study English for a whole host of reasons. Some need it to work in a specific industry, others are looking to pass an English test for visa purposes, and some would just like to hone their conversational English so they can converse when travelling to English-speaking countries.

The reason for studying English is an important factor when it comes to the course you select as it will determine the course type, duration, cost and even the visa you require.

In Australia, the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students caters to six learning outcomes:

General English - For those looking to improve their conversational and overall English

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) - Suited to people looking to study at an Australian school, TAFE, or university.

English for Specific Purposes (ESP) - For those planning to study or work in English speaking countries in professions such as law, health, business, tourism or teaching.

Exam preparation - Designed to prepare you for English proficiency tests, which might be required for visa purposes or to work and study in an English speaking country.

English for Teaching - These courses equip you to teach English to other non-English speakers, whether that’s in your own country or elsewhere.

Study tours - For those looking to incorporate a little English language learning into a cultural or sporting trip to Australia.

What’s your current English level?

Australia’s English learning system caters to all levels of English proficiency, and it’s important you select a course that builds on your existing skills.

Some courses will allow you to indicate your own ability, while others might require you to take a test.

It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the English proficiency ranking system along with the different language tests and what their results indicate. You can learn more about that here.

What experience would you like to have?

Learning English in another country isn’t just about the study. It’s also about the experience, and it begs the question: what experience would you like to have?

Is it simply a holiday, with a little English learning thrown in? Would you like to master the language and live in Australia for some time? Or does a working holiday and some English language study sound like an adventure you would like to have?

There are English language courses available to suit each of these scenarios and more.

What’s your budget?

There are costs associated with both study and travel, ranging from course fees, to flights, and accommodation, which means budget is also something to consider when it comes to the course you select.

As part of the Australian visa process, you might also need to have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.

You can get an idea of the costs involved using this handy cost of living calculator.

A few quick tips

Once you’ve narrowed down your criteria, you can start comparing the courses that might suit your needs, weighing up factors such as location, duration and more.

As part of this process, don’t forget to look at:

• Course costs
• Start dates and duration
• Pre-requisites and application process
• Education provider location and nearby amenities, including things like public transport
• Accommodation options
• Visa requirements and health insurance

If you’re keen to study English in Australia, you can learn more about the different fields of study here, or search for your dream course using our search tool.