Community English language resources
This is a list of free or low cost community-based English Language classes which are available for UniSA students and their spouses. Please note that these classes are generally not designed for academic language development but are aimed principally at improving the participant's communication and English language abilities:
- Adelaide South West Community Centre
- The State Library
- TAFE
- Teach International
- Thebarton Senior College
- WEA
Adelaide South West Community Centre
Practise your English in a group, learn about Australian culture, and make friends. For absolute beginners one-on-one sessions can be arranged. Currently, an experienced Home Tutor assists the absolute beginners and the conversation group is facilitated by a person who spent a year in China facilitating conversation classes and assisting with IELTS preparation. The cost is $2 per session.
Class times
Mondays 10.20am-12noon
Location
171 Sturt Street, Adelaide
Phone: 8212 3533
The State Library - English language Learning and Improvement Centre (ELLIS)
Conversational English classes are open to anybody. There are only 16 places per class so participants need to be there at least 10 minutes before class as they fill quickly. There is also a free range of learning resources including IELTS preparation materials which can be accessed during normal opening hours. You will need to register with the State Library to use these resources.
Further details of the ELLIS program, including class times, can be found on the ELLIS website.
Location
Corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue, Adelaide
Phone: 8207 7250
TAFE
TAFE offers full time English language programs for ELICOS students on a student visa, as well as part time language courses for students on other visa classes such as dependant spouse and tourist or visitor visas. These classes are suitable for learners at all levels and include instruction in all the skill areas. They can be done part time from a minimum of 2 hours per week to a maximum of 25 hours per week. The cost is $15 per hour.
Class Times
Classes can be commenced at anytime during the year.
Morning classes are from 9am-12pm
Afternoon classes are from 1pm-3pm
Location
120 Currie Street, Adelaide (on Light Square)
Phone: 8207 8805
Teach International
Teach International trains people to become teachers of English. The community English classes it offers are an opportunity for people in the community (for example, international students or migrants) to access free English classes and for trainee teachers to practice. The focus of the classes is on speaking English but participants also practice other language skills. The classes are relaxed and friendly. Students feel comfortable practicing their language skills and also have the opportunity to mix with other people from a variety of different countries.
Class Times (commencing 24 April 2012)
3.30-5.30pm on Tuesdays
only.
Location
Grote Street Library
18 Grote Street
Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Phone: 0415 277 503
Thebarton Senior College
Thebarton Senior College offers nationally accredited courses designed for people from non-English speaking backgrounds who wish to develop the English skills necessary for living, working and studying in Australia. They provide a pathway into TAFE.
All students in each certificate study a minimum of four lessons of English as a Second Language per week over a duration of 6 to 12 months. The cost for a certificate level course is only $300. Details of the two certificates including class schedules can be found on their website or by calling.
Location
40 Ashley Street
Torrensville, South Australia 5031
Phone: 8352 5811
WEA
The Workers Education Association offers very affordable classes that cover all the four skill areas of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. Prices are generally between $30 and $50 and courses are between 6-8 weeks at 2 hours per session. Fulltime students are eligible for a 10% discount on all WEA courses.
Locations and class times vary depending on the class. When you visit the WEA website, type 'English' in the search window.