Easy Languages

Program

Destination

Hobart has been described as one of the world’s most picturesque cities. The inner city flanks the harbour, Sullivans Cove, while its suburbs spread north and south along the shores of the Derwent River, east to the magnificent ocean beaches at Cremorne, Lauderdale and Clifton, and west to the dolomite cliffs of Mount Wellington.

Established in 1803 as a penal colony, Hobart prospered as a trading port. The affluence of the 19th century is still evident in the number of historic buildings in Hobart’s central business district, with most of the city’s public institutions still housed in superb examples of colonial and Georgian architecture. Hobart has a vibrant arts community with many festivals - "Ten Days on the Island" is internationally renowned and the Hobart Waterfront and Salamanca Place host the annual weeklong "Taste of Tasmania" at the end of December.

Tasmania’s capital city is an intriguing blend of heritage and lifestyle, scenery and vibrant culture. It is a city of bustling markets, a flourishing arts scene, festivals and entertainment and fine restaurants. Hobart is an ideal base for your southern Tasmanian journeys - explore further and then return to relax.

School

Our school in Hobart, Tasmania, is a 10 minute walk from the city centre, mall and the Café precinct of Salamanca Place and city wharf area. Situated in a three storey heritage mansion, the school’s charming renovated classrooms, self access computer centre and a student kitchen and common room reflect the warm friendly atmosphere of this former family mansion.

An environmentally friendly campus, it has received a number of awards from the Hobart City Council in recognition of its achievements and services to the Tasmanian environment. Besides that, the school is a nationally accredited English language College, and a member of IALC (International Association of Language Colleges). It is also an authorised TOEIC Test Centre in Hobart and is approved by Cambridge University.

All teaching staff meet the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) requirements. All teachers are specialists in the English language and have teaching qualifications. They are also enthusiastic, motivated and caring professionals.

Students from all over the world choose our school to learn English. It has a broad mix of European, South American and Asian student nationalities from over 25 different countries.

The “job advisory service” is very popular with our students on Working Holiday and Student Visas. A weekly update of jobs available in Hobart is posted on the student noticeboard each week.

Courses

On the first day of each course, students complete a full placement test before being placed in the appropriate level. All levels are accepted. Students’ progress is monitored every four weeks. At the end of the course, students are awarded a certificate indicating their level of achievement.

The minimum stay is 4 weeks. The average class size is 12 students (maximum 15).

General English programmes - 20 or 25 lessons per week
They are designed to improve students’ English language communication skills to prepare for future study, work, travel or career changes. Core classes concentrate on developing grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading, writing and pronunciation skills in real-life situations. We offer 20 or 25 lessons of English.

Afternoon classes (25 lesson programme) allow students to specialise and choose one or two Special Studies from a wide range of Special Studies options. These include: exam preparation (IELTS, TOEIC), academic study skills, Business English, English for Hospitality, conversation and pronunciation, advanced writing and grammar.

IELTS Preparation Course - 25 lessons per week
The IELTS Preparation programme is an intensive 12 week course designed to prepare students for the 4 main areas of the IELTS exam (speaking, listening, reading & writing). The International English Testing System, (IELTS) assesses the level of English of non-native English speakers who require English for academic or professional purposes.

Cambridge Preparation Course - 25 lessons per week
Our school is an experienced Cambridge Preparation Centre. Students have achieved good results in these examinations. Individual counselling, weekly progress reviews and additional self access assist students achieve as much progress as possible. FCE courses are held three times per year - January, March & September - and lasts 12 weeks.

Activities

Hobart is the centre for many Tasmanian attractions. From heritage architecture to breweries and wineries, from theatres to wildlife sanctuaries, Hobart is steeped in history and culture and nature. Make the most of your stay by visiting the Salamanca markets, the Royal Botanical Gardens, museums, the Cascade Brewery, interact with wildlife, etc.

The school organises a varied and active social programme for students. It enables students to meet new people and experience the best that Hobart has to offer. School activities are held on Friday afternoons and weekends. They may include: museums visits, Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory, BBQs, indoor climbing, horse riding, sea kayaking, mountain biking, winery tour, etc.

Accommodation

Homestay

Homestay is our most popular accommodation option. Families are carefully selected, and students carefully matched with host families. In selecting homestay families, we believe it is important to choose families who appreciate hosting international students. Australian homestay is usually a very successful and happy experience for the student.

Homestay accommodation includes 3 meals per day and all bed linen and towels. Shared rooms are available for students traveling together only.

Prices & Dates

Dates 2012

Stays from Sunday to Saturday or from Saturday to Friday.

Preferred starting dates: 03/01, 06/02, 05/03, 02/04, 07/05, 04/06, 02/06, 06/08, 03/09, 01/10, 05/11, 03/12. Or any Monday if unable to start on those dates.

• Cambridge FCE Examination Preparation: 19/03 to 08/06 (12 weeks), 11/06 to 17/08 (10 weeks), or 10/09 to 30/11 (12 weeks).

Examination dates: FCE - 10/03, 12/06, 23/08, 13/10, 04/1

• IELTS: 19/03 - 08/06 (12 weeks), 11/06 - 17/08 (10 semaines), 10/09 - 30/11 (12 weeks)

Public Holidays: 3/01, 26/01, 14/03, 22/04, 25/04, 26/04, 02/05, 13/06, 24/06, 03/10, 20/10, 19/12 - 02/01.

Prices include:

• The chosen course
• The homestay accommodation with full board
  
• All the administrative and enrolment fees
• A certificate of attendance
• A placement test
• Course materials
  
  

They do not include:

• Transportation
• Airport transfer (free if enrolment for 12 weeks and up)
  
• Mandatory health insurance for stays over 12 weeks
  
• Exam fee (about 365 AU$)

Practical Info

Transport

• Arrival airport: Hobart (HBA)
• (Payable) transfer from airport available (see price table)
  
  

VISA Information

For your stay in Australia, you will need a visa. The type of visa you require will depend on the length of your visit and your intentions:

• Tourist visa
  This type of visa (subclass 676) is required by visitors staying 3, 6, or 12 months in Australia. It allows you to visit the country and partake in classes for less than 3 months. During your stay you will not be allowed to work (excluding volunteer work). However you are free to leave the country and return, provided it is within the declared length of stay. The validity of the visa begins when you enter Australian territory. Visa application fees are 105AUD (around 71€)
  
  
• Student visa
  This type of visa (subclass 571) is required by visitors intending to study for a period of more than 3 months. It allows you to stay for up to 10 months in Australia. The validity of the visa begins when you enter Australian territory. Visa application fees are 540AUD (around 305€)

Warning! The visa application process for minors (-18 years) is long and requires a lot of additional forms and documents; please allow plenty of time when you begin your application.

The "Working Holiday Visa" Programme

Since 2004 the Working Holiday Visa allows French and Belgian nationals to go to Australia for up to one year, renewable once, in order to visit the country and work as means of covering costs. (Consult the website - http://www.immi.gov.au - for other nationalities)

Once in place, you will be able to work for the same employer for 6 months consecutively. You will also be able to partake in 17 weeks of classes during your stay. In addition, you will be able to request a different type of visa, such as the Student visa, if you intend to undertake studies in Australia. Please be aware that the reverse is not possible: you cannot transfer from another type of visa to the Working Holiday Visa.

Departures take place all year round. You are welcome, but not obligated, to stay the entire 12 months. In addition this visa is classed as multi-entry, which is to say that you are entitled to leave and return to Australian territory as frequently as you please during the validity of your visa. Australia has no visa quota, either, and so around 100,000 young people visit the country every year! Between June 2009 and May 2010, nearly 17,000 WHV were allocated to young French people.

Eligibility conditions for the Working Holiday Visa

• You must be aged between 18 and 30 at the time of application.
• The application must be made outside of Australian territory.
• The main purpose of the application must be tourism.
• You cannot have already taken part in this programme.
• You must have proof of sufficient funds (3000€) to subsist and to be able to return to your home country, or be in possession of a return ticket.
• You cannot be married, nor have children.