Frequently
Asked Questions - FAQ
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(click
on highlighted questions for more information)
Am I able to move to a higher level,
even if I haven't completed 12 weeks at a particular
class level?>
Can I change my course or class once
I have started it?>
How often will I be tested and assessed?>
Will I receive a certificate when I
finish my course?>
What can I do after school and on the
weekends?>
What are some of the differences between
studying in Australia and in the UK & the USA?>
What is the difference between the
IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and the Cambridge exams? >
Which international examination should
I take?>
How do I know if I am at the right
level to start an Intensive Examination Preparation
Course at International Institute Australia?>
How do I apply to study at IIA?>
Do I need to have health cover?>
Am I able to move
to a higher level, even if I haven't completed 12
weeks at a particular class level?
Yes. Your teachers will closely monitor your progress
and will advise you when they think you are ready
to progress to the next level. Also, if your test
scores show that you are improving quickly and you
would like to go to the next level, you can request
a class level placement test and interview. If you
receive a score which shows you are ready for the
next level, you can go into a higher-level class.
Can I change my
course or class once I have started it?
Yes. We wish to provide you with the best course
to suit your needs and we appreciate that your needs
and interests may change once you have commenced
your studies at IIA. We will attempt to place you
in your preferred course, subject of course to language
entry levels and course starting dates.
How often will
I be tested and assessed?
Assessment of your language development is continuous,
however every student at IIA will be formally tested
at least every 3 weeks in reading, writing, listening,
speaking, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.
You will receive both oral and written feedback
from your teacher during special student-teacher
meetings.
Will I receive
a certificate when I finish my course?
Yes. Every student who successfully completes a
course at IIA will receive a certificate showing
overall achievement, together with a Statement of
Results showing in-class grades, and performance.
What can I do after
school and on the weekends?
Brisbane has a casual, outdoor lifestyle, and there
are 100s of things to do in your spare time, both
inside and out. You can enjoy walking through one
of the many parks and gardens in the city, go to
the theatre, museum or art gallery or enjoy having
lunch with friends at a café.
There are also dozens of local and international
festivals, concerts and events throughout the year,
many of them free to attend.
Brisbane is surrounded by some of the most beautiful
beaches in the world, so if you'd like to do something
a bit more active, you can go swimming, surfing
or scuba diving at one of our world famous beaches.
Brisbane is also close to national parks, filled
with unique plants and animals - great for a day
bush walking, and the Glasshouse Mountains - climb
to the top for a great view of the Pacific Ocean.
All students at IIA automatically become members
of IIA's Activities Club. We organise activities
at discount rates for you during the week and on
the weekends.
What are some of
the differences between studying in Australia and
in the UK & the USA?
The main difference is the cost of living. It is
much cheaper to study and live in Australia than
in the UK or the USA. We have a great standard of
living in Australia, with low pollution and a stable
climate, and Brisbane is famous for being Australia's
most liveable city. It is a friendly and safe place
to live. Many students describe coming to Australia
to live, study and travel as a "once in a lifetime
opportunity".
What is the difference
between the IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and the Cambridge
exams?
IELTS stands for International English
Language Testing System. It is the standard
test used by British and Australian universities
to assess the English language proficiency of applicants
whose first language is not English. It consists
of four components: listening, speaking, reading
and writing. All candidates take the same Speaking
and Writing Modules and then choose either Academic
or General Training Reading and Writing Modules,
depending on their reasons for taking IELTS.
Academic Reading and Writing Modules are
suitable for candidates planning to undertake higher
education study. IELTS is accepted by most academic
institutions in Australia, Britain, Canada and New
Zealand. Academic institutions in the United States
of America are also increasingly accepting IELTS
for admissions purposes.
General Training Reading and Writing Modules
are suitable for candidates planning to undertake
non-academic training or work experience, or for
immigration purposes.
IELTS is accepted by many professional organisations
including the Australian Department of Immigration
and Multicultural Affairs, the Australian Medical
Council, the New Zealand Immigration Service, the
United Kingdom General Medical Council and the United
Kingdom Ministry of Defence.
IIA offers intensive IELTS Preparation Courses.
TOEFL stands for Test of English as a
Foreign Language. The TOEFL test was created
by the Educational Testing Service for foreign students
seeking admission to colleges and universities in
North America, although Universities outside of
the U.S.A. also accept TOEFL. Students planning
to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees in North
America will wish to take the TOEFL test. It consists
of reading, writing, listening and grammar components.
TOEIC stands for Test of English for International
Communication. The TOEIC tests English language
proficiency in the global workplace, and is particularly
popular in Japan and South Korea. The TOEIC tests
listening, reading and grammar.
The Cambridge Exams consist of a range of
5 General English language proficiency exams in
the UCLES EFL Main Suite. The most popular of these
are the First Certificate in English (FCE)
and the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE).
These tests consist of 5 papers each: Reading, Writing,
Use of English (FCE) or English in Use (CAE), Listening
and Speaking. IIA offers preparation courses for
the FCE and CAE examinations.
There are also 3 Cambridge Business Certificates
(BEC): BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC
Higher.
Which international
examination should I take?
Each of the English language examinations has a
different purpose. Therefore they are different
in format, content and skills they assess.
Both IELTS and TOEFL test your English
in an academic context, and can be used for
entry into universities and technical colleges.
TOEFL is a North American academic English
test, which does not test speaking or writing
skills. Most universities in Australia and New
Zealand prefer IELTS and feel that the
IELTS gives a better indication of candidate's English
language proficiency.
Organizations that document employees' English proficiency
and individuals who want to demonstrate their ability
to use English in the global workplace will
prefer to use the TOEIC test. The TOEIC
is recognised worldwide, however it is mainly used
by Japanese and South Korean employers when recruiting
or placing staff.
The Cambridge Main Suite Examinations, test
your General English language skills. A pass
grade in FCE is useful for gaining employment, particularly
in Europe and increasingly in South America. A pass
grade in CAE can also be used for entry into universities
and technical colleges in the United Kingdom.
A pass grade in one of the Cambridge Business Certificate
examinations is also useful when looking for employment.
For further information:
http://www.ielts.org
http://www.toefl.org
http://www.toeic.com
http://www.cambridge-efl.org.uk
How do I know if
I am at the right level to start an intensive examination
preparation course at International Institute Australia?
In order to succeed in your chosen exam,
it is important to be at the right level
to start your examination preparation course.
To avoid disappointment, International Institute
Australia recommends that you do a class placement
test as early as possible before starting
your course to find out your level, and if you are
a suitable candidate for the exam of your choice.
There are 3 ways to find out if you are the
right level to do an intensive examination preparation
course at International Institute Australia.
1. Off-Shore Class Placement Test
Before leaving your country and arriving
in Brisbane, you can ask your agent for a
copy of International Institute Australia’s
offshore class placement test. Complete the
placement test and send it back to the college.
Examination preparation course teachers will check
your test and send the result to you via your agent.
If, according to your class placement test, you
are the right level to begin an intensive examination
preparation course, provisional enrolment (into
an intensive examination preparation course) will
be given, however entry will be subject to passing
an interview with a teacher specialised in exams
on your first day at the college.
OR
2. On-Shore Pre-Enrolment Class Placement Test
You can visit the college before enrolling
and do a class placement test and an interview with
a teacher specialised in exams. You will be advised
immediately whether you are a suitable candidate
for an intensive examination preparation course
at International Institute Australia.
OR
3. Day 1 Class Placement Test
Your level will be assessed on your first day
at the college, by means of a class placement test
and an interview with a teacher specialised in exams.
You will be advised immediately whether you are
a suitable candidate for an intensive examination
preparation course at International Institute Australia.
If you do not have the required English language
skills to participate in an examination preparation
course, please talk to International Institute Australia
about other courses that will help you prepare for
an exam preparation course.
How do I apply
to study at IIA?
Follow these steps to apply to study at IIA:
1. Approach your local agent to obtain relevant
information, OR
Go direct to IIA’s website www.iia.edu.au
2. Complete the enrolment form and forward it and
any supporting documentation to your local agent
or IIA directly.
3. Your application is assessed and if accepted,
IIA will issue a Letter of Offer that contains details
of your chosen course, tuition fees, health insurance
and other relevant fees.
4. On payment to IIA, either through your local
agent or directly, you will be issued an electronic
Confirmation of Enrolment (e-CoE) necessary
for processing a Student Visa application. For more
information on visa applications, please visit the
Australian Immigration Department website at: www.immi.gov.au/search_for/multilingual.htm
The following websites may also be useful in stepping
you through the process of getting to Australia.
www.studyinaustralia.gov.au
www.immi.gov.au
Do I need to have
health cover?
It is a requirement of the Australian government
that international students register for the Overseas
Student Health Cover (OSHC) before coming to Australia.
OSHC helps pay for medical and hospital care you
may need while in Australia.
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