General English

Imperial Institute of Sydney Entry Requirements:

The General English (117102M) qualification does not have any specified prerequisites in the training package at the time of publication, as admission to this level is determined by an assessment of English language proficiency.

The course is divided into six levels: Starter, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, and Advanced. Students are placed into the appropriate level based on their current English ability and may complete one or more levels depending on their learning needs and goals.

Since ELICOS General English is a non-AQF course, it does not have formal “Units of Competency” like vocational courses. 

ELICOS General English – Learning Modules

1. Speaking & Listening
2. Reading & Writing
3. Grammar & Language Structures
4. Vocabulary & Communication Skills
5. Study & Academic Skills
6. Cultural & Interpersonal Communication

Starter Level

The Starter level focuses on survival English for beginners who have recently arrived in an English-speaking country. By the end of this level, students can understand and use basic everyday expressions and simple phrases. They are able to introduce themselves and others, ask and answer questions about personal information, and communicate in simple interactions when the other person speaks slowly and clearly.

Elementary Level

At the Elementary level, students learn to understand and use commonly used sentences and expressions related to everyday needs, such as personal and family information, shopping, local places, and employment. Students can communicate in simple, routine situations that require a direct exchange of information.

Pre-Intermediate Level

Students completing the Pre-Intermediate level can understand the main points of clear, standard English used in familiar situations such as work, school, and leisure. They are able to write simple, connected texts on familiar topics and personal interests, describe experiences and events, and explain opinions, plans, and ambitions in a clear and basic way.

Intermediate Level

At the Intermediate level, students can understand the main ideas of more complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics. They are able to interact with increased fluency and confidence, making regular communication with native speakers easier. Students can also produce clear, detailed written texts and explain viewpoints on current issues, including advantages and disadvantages.

Upper Intermediate Level

Completion of the Upper Intermediate level enables students to understand longer and more demanding texts, including implied meanings. Students can express themselves fluently and spontaneously and use English effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. They are also able to produce well-structured, detailed written texts on complex subjects using appropriate connectors and cohesive language.

Advanced Level

At the Advanced level, students can understand almost everything they hear or read with ease. They are able to summarise information from different spoken and written sources and present ideas clearly and coherently. Students can express themselves fluently, precisely, and confidently, even in complex or unfamiliar situations.

The ELICOS General English (115452E) qualification is classified as a Non-AQF qualification.

Upon finishing the intermediate level of our General English (117102M) course, students will have the skills required to continue with further educational or vocational pursuits.

Assessments are designed to mirror real-world tasks and industry standards, helping students develop the skills needed for their careers. They take place in a simulated workplace environment and assess practical abilities, teamwork, and time management.

Assessment Arrangements

Assessment will occur through a variety of methods, including projects incorporating role-plays, presentations, reports, portfolios, case studies and short answer questions. Assessment conditions will ensure a simulated workplace environment.

Assessment tasks:

• Reflect real-life work tasks.
• Are required to be performed within industry standard timeframes as specified by assessors in relation to each task.
• Are assessed using assessment criteria that relate to the quality of work expected by the industry.
• Are performed to industry safety requirements as relevant.
• Utilise authentic workplace documentation.
• Require students to work with others as part of a team.
• Require students to plan and prioritise competing work tasks.
• Involve the use of standard workplace equipment such as computers and software.
• Ensure that students are required to consider workplace constraints such as time and budgets.

Assessment Materials

Assessment materials comprise:

• Student Assessment Tasks: There is one for each unit of competency that includes instructions to students about each of their assessments. It also includes an assessment plan where students can record the due dates of each task and an Assessment Task Cover Sheet that must be completed for each Assessment submission.

• Other documents specific to the workplace simulation task requirements are also included with the assessment tasks. These include document templates and simulated workplace policies and procedures, and are described in the student and assessor instructions as relevant.

Re-assessment

Re-assessment criteria:

Each assessment task will be given an outcome of either Satisfactory (S) or Not Satisfactory (NS). Students must complete all tasks for a unit satisfactorily to achieve an overall outcome of Competent (C) for the unit. If one or more of the tasks are assessed as Not Satisfactory, they will be given an outcome for the unit of Not Yet Competent (NYC).

The student can have a total of 3 attempts to complete each task and achieve a ‘Satisfactory’ outcome (noting that the third attempt is chargeable as per the fees and refunds policy). If, after the third attempt, the student is still assessed as Not Satisfactory for a task, they will need to re-enrol for the test.

Assessment Appeals

Students can make an appeal against any assessment decision by following the Complaints and Appeals Policy outlined in the Student Handbook.

Appeals will be dealt with following the Complaints and Appeals Procedure.

At the Imperial Institute of Sydney, we are committed to ensuring student success through comprehensive support and monitoring:

• Personalised Intervention Strategies: Tailored plans to address individual student needs and challenges, with additional resources provided to support learning.
• Ongoing Course Progress Monitoring: Regular tracking of student progress to ensure timely completion of course requirements.
• Attendance Monitoring: Adherence to attendance policies, particularly for international students, to ensure compliance with visa regulations.
• Access to Support Resources: A wide range of academic and personal support services, including tutoring, counselling, and study workshops.
• Continuous Feedback: Students receive regular feedback on their performance to help them stay on track and improve.
• Flexible Learning Options: Various resources and facilities available to cater to different learning styles and needs, including online materials and study groups.