Archive for the ‘Study English in Queensland’ Category
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6
Nov
2009
Where is GEOS Gold Coast?
Gold Coast, Qld
GEOS Gold Coast is located in Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast of Queensland. Today the Gold Coast is reknown for its sun, surf and sand that stretches across 57 kilometres of coastline. According to the Gold Coast City Council, this reputation only took off around the 1950s. Previously, residents had focused on working the land, but at the turn of the century people started to look for more leisure. As a result, iconic holiday accommodation was built reflecting the philosophy of fantasy, fun, nightlife and relaxation. These included the Pink Poodle and the Gold Coast’s first high rise Kinkabool, built in 1959.
Then there is The Q1, which is the world’s tallest residential tower, and the Palazzo Versace. These last two are Australia’s only 6 star hotels, specialising in glamour and indulgence. Of course, the Gold Coast has a whole range of accommodation, from budget to family and luxury.
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise is a large town encompassing wonderful beaches, shopping centres, restaurants and fun attractions. Surfers Paradise is on the Gold Coast, just over an hour away from Brisbane. The English college itself is on Orchid Avenue, in the heart of the town and only 5 minutes from the beach.
There is so much to do in Surfers Paradise to complement your English language studies and practice it in real world situations. There are beach volleyball games at Central Surfers Paradise Beach, fishing charters, whale watching cruises or a whole variety of water sports from scuba diving to surfing and jet skiing. You can hire equipment, whether surf boards, body boards or jet skis, or bring your own. Or you can simply enjoy the patrolled beaches along the coast, including Surfers Paradise Main Beach. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs in the town and along the beach.
Away from the beach, there is still plenty to do. There are the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks, including Dreamworld, Wet ‘n’ Wild, Movie World, Sea World and WhiteWater World. You can go bunjy jumping, play mini golf, or go golfing at a professional course.
19
Oct
2009
Australian English
Australian English
English became the official language of Australia after being colonised by the British. However, the language evolved away from standard British English over time. One of the dominant English influences was South-East England Cockney, with input from the Irish, Welsh and Scots. During the gold rushes of the 1850s, American colloquialisms and expressions were also added to the Australian vocabulary. Today, Australian English is most similar to New Zealand English due to their similar history and geographical proximity.
Apart from a distinct Australian accent, which has been categorised as ‘broad’, ‘general’ and ‘cultivated’ (General English is the most common in English), Australia also has unique terms and expressions. These include phrases such as “fair dinkum!”, “g’day!”, and “dinky-di”, though they are more likely to be used in paradies of Australian speech than actual Australian slang.
Learning English in Australia
GEOS has several English colleges in Australia, in fact in most of the Australian capital cities. These include colleges in Sydney (NSW), Cairns (Qld), Brisbane (Qld), the Gold Coast (Qld), Adelaide (SA), Perth (WA) and Melbourne (VIC). These colleges offer a range of courses to improve English skills, often incorporating fun activities as part of the program. Some of the typical English courses on offer, depending on the particular college, include General English, TESOL, CAE, Business English and Study Tours.
All are situated in great locations for sightseeing, access to public transport, nearby cafes and shopping opportunities, often near beaches and a range of tourist activities from water sports to museums, galleries, wine tasting, entertainment venues and restaurants. There is often accommodation on-campus, and if not, places to stay nearby.
With highly qualified teachers that have experience teaching in various locations around the world, small class sizes, and students of mixed nationalities and ages, GEOS colleges offer a great experience and effective teaching. The great benefit of studying at one of these English schools is that they can immerse you in an English-speaking culture. Consequentially, students have ample opportunity to practice their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening to English.
19
Oct
2009
English Language Colleges
Why study at a language college?
While it is possible to learn another language on your own, or through a distance education course, or simply by immersing yourself in the language by going overseas, and English language college can give you the best of all these options.
GEOS English language colleges immerse you in English-language cultures all over the world, providing ample opportunity not only to practice your language skills, but also have a lot of fun exploring the country and meeting new people. Through regular weekday and weekend activities, as well as fun courses such as ‘English plus Surfing’, students get to experience much more than simply the classroom. Students will also get to make new friends within the college, with a mix of students from over 30 different countries.
On the other hand, spending time at an English language college will mean that you get a real grasp on the language- including reading, writing, listening and speaking. From the basics to advanced English courses, GEOS colleges offer a range of courses to cater for whatever level students are at. These include General English, Cambridge Preparation Programs, English for TESOL and much more. The courses are taught by highly qualified and experienced teachers who have lived and taught all around the world. In addition, these courses offer pathways to further studies, whether university or other tertiary institutions such as TAFE.
Learning English
GEOS Gold Coast, located 5 minutes from Surfers Paradise Beach, offers a range of English language courses. These include General English, Preparation for Academic and Cambridge Exams (PACE), IELTS Exam Preparation (IELTS), Cambridge Exam Preparation (FCE/CAE), Certificate IV in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), the Joey Kangaroo Club (Young Learners Program), and the Study Tour Program.
The Study Tour Program offers students a range of custom made courses and programs, designed to combine English lessons with an area of interest. So this would mean combining an English language course (such as General English) with sports, sightseeing, adventure holidays and more.